It’s Shaun’s World

Deep in thought this morning…

Matriarch– a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state; specifically: a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants (Merriam-Webster)

This morning, I woke up with a new perspective about my role in life—I’m The Matriarch (pronounced dramatically and BOLDLY😂).

I knew the day would come when this would be my role, but I assumed it wouldn’t happen until I was much older. However, now that my mother is no longer here, I’m that person—the matriarch of our small but growing family. I’m the one my siblings look to in the absence of my mom. I’m the one my nieces and nephews see as the family head.

I am the Matriarch. Just trying to let it sink in.

Y’all, God has entrusted this family—my momma’s lineage—to me. Big Sister and Auntie Shaun/TT Suga Baby mean so much more, now. I’m not just the fun (crazy) sister and auntie. I’m so much more!

I guess I’ve been in this role for a while, but I hadn’t put much thought into it being an actual role. If that makes sense. It’s a role I can no longer take lightly. Now, I’m not planning on changing my personality because I don’t ever want to become too serious or boring, but I do need to be more mindful of what I say and do.

So…

What kind of legacy would I like to leave behind? What gems of wisdom will I pass on?

I would like to be known for my love for them, my love for life, and my love for humanity.

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This is…

My life.

My world.

My journey.

Grateful and Blessed.♥️

I’m The Matriarch!😂👑🌺

Shaun

If someone were to ask what’s most important to me, I would say family.

Today, I spent the day with my two youngest sisters. One of them had an event, and my other sister and I drove over to Mobile, AL, to support her.

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Yesterday, my oldest nephew and his family were passing through and stopped by for a visit. I was so excited to see my grandnephew again. He looks just like his dad did as an infant. My nephew said that since I had given myself a grand-auntie name—TT Suga Baby—I needed to give his son a nickname. So I did—Lil Scooter. Don’t think it’s going to stick, but I tried. Lol. I just love us! 😂

Y’all, I never knew family would mean so much to me. However, as I get older and more of my loved ones pass away, I cherish my relationship with those closest to me more.

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Before I end this night, I just want to say I’m thankful for my family. Thank You, God, for blessing me.♥️

Shaun

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“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” –Saint Augustine

Do you believe in what you have yet to see?

In other words—Do you have faith?

Thought I’d ask.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

“The world will ask you who you are, and if you don’t know, the world will tell you.” –Carl Jung

Always remember who you are.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Pssst… Me?! I’m GOD’s child.

Before the night ends, I would like to acknowledge that today marks my 52nd–10th month birthday!🎉

Y’all, I’m finally becoming excited about my upcoming birthday! I can’t believe I’ve been in this world for almost 53 years!!

I’m in my first three years on this side of 50, and life has definitely been different. I guess it’s because I’m different, and I love this version of me—this more mature, settled (somewhat settled🤭) version of Shaun. Got me feeling regal!☺️👑🌺

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Anyhoo…

I’m really almost 53!!!🎉🎉🎉

I am truly, truly blessed!♥️

Shaun

The song that’s been playing over and over in my head is Donnie McClurkin’s “We Fall Down.” The song says—

We fall down
But we get up
We fall down
But we get up
We fall down
But we get up
For a saint is just a sinner who fell down
And got up

I’m sitting in silence but my spirit is having its own little worship session. I love it when this happens because I know it’s not me. It’s not something I initiated, but Holy Spirit did. Hallelujah!

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Feel free to allow your spirit to join in on the worship.

We Fall Down (Live) by Donnie McClurkin

God is so good. Never stop worshipping Him. Never…♥️

I love you,

Shaun

Y’all, I just found this small card in an old photo album. If I hadn’t removed a couple of photos, I probably wouldn’t have found it for years!

Storytime…

Turkey 1998

So, there was this Turkish guy who worked at my friend’s tailor shop who kept asking me to go on a date. Well, one day, after my friends Destiny and Kenny talked me into it, I finally said yes. Erdal was his name.

Erdal only spoke a few words of English, and I only spoke a few words of Turkish. So, our communication was basically limited to smiles and gestures. He didn’t drive, so his brother was our driver for the night. Y’all, I’m not sure where he took me, but I remember it being a small restaurant in a nearby town. Instead of eating inside, we ate outside in the dark under very dim lights. Which leads me to the last sentence of his message (if translated correctly)— “I apologize if I hurt you.”

Smiling because he didn’t hurt me. You see, I couldn’t eat the chicken. Although I could barely see the flesh of the chicken breast (due to the dim lights), I could tell by the texture that it was undercooked. Y’all, he kept apologizing. I felt so bad because he really wanted the date to go well. The card above was in the roses he gave me as an apology. Needless to say, we never went on another date, nor did we ever speak about it. However, we did exchange smiles whenever I visited Destiny’s shop.

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THIS is why I keep everything—for the stories and sweet memories.🥰

Shaun

*Just a thought— I can’t even imagine going somewhere nowadays with someone I barely know, with a language barrier, and without a cell phone or my own transportation. I was so trusting!