Life

Hello Sunday

Today’s Hello Sunday is dedicated to my mother. Still can’t believe she’s gone.

After Momma passed, I found a letter she had written to us, her children. That’s what she had written on the envelope, “Children.” It was sealed with an address label from where she lived decades ago. I did not read it then. Decided to wait and open it when all of us were together. When I tell you I felt like I was in a movie! I had been through her things many, many times before and had not seen the letter until I was about to leave town to go help my siblings make her final arrangements. When I tell you the suspense was killing me!

As soon as our last sister arrived–took her hours to get there–we read the letter. It began with, “If you are reading this letter, it means that the inevitable has happened.” Y’all, we laughed. Only she could make something so serious sound like we were on a crime show.

Well, the letter was very direct. She did not sugarcoat anything. She told us about her life as an adult and her desire to be a great mom. Some things she knew she got right while others she really struggled with because she had us at a very young age. (Note– While she was still coherent, we did tell her that she was a great mom and how much we loved and appreciated everything she had done for us.) One of the things that surprised us was the fact that she had been very ill for a long time. None of us knew this. The reason she had written the letter was because she did not believe she had much longer to live. Now, this was written three years post paraplegia. Listen… I’m here to testify and tell you she lived another 21 years! Y’all, the letter was dated September 18, 2001.

When I tell you God is so good and merciful. There’s nothing like His love and grace. It just goes to show you that we cannot put a time limit on life nor can we give up. We may feel down today and believe this just has to be the end of the road; then, end up living decades more.

Today, I am going to let Dorothy have her final say. Below is a copy of one of her newsletters from The Encourager. I tried to find one from May; however, the closest I could find was from April 2003. While reading it, I could see her in her words written about not being able to walk or see well. That was her. She was describing herself.

Be encouraged. God’s got you!♥️

Thanks for reading. Wishing you a wonderful week!

Shaun

Life

What Are You Whispering to Yourself Pt. 2

After returning home from the movies and lunch, I took a nap and started back purging. Basically, I have been going through boxes and plastic containers in my closet and throwing out things I can longer hold on to. Most of it is extra baggage and weight. Yes, they hold memories. However, so many of the them have very little sentimental value. I have only been holding on to them because they represent a part of my life that was either difficult or pivotal. I am not throwing away everything. I’m definitely keeping my journals, my babies’ firsts, magazines, pictures, some greeting cards, letters and keepsakes. I know it sounds like I am still keeping a lot, but believe me, I’m really not. Below is one of the gems I found. Listen, this purging thing is taking way longer than it should because I keep stopping to read through things and reminisce. PLUS… I’m listening to music and singing. So yes, it’s taking much longer than necessary. Like right now Babyface and Pebbles are singing “Love Makes Things Happen.” Anyhoo… here’s the gem.

This beautiful write up about Oprah Winfrey, which was written by the late Sidney Poitier, was included in the 2004 Special Issue of TIME Magazine– The Time 100. Remember, it’s the things that you whisper to yourself that has the most power.

What are you whispering to yourself? Manifestation is real.

Shaun

Life

New Movie Suggestion Part 2

As SpongeBob would say….

Ten seconds later……..

My daughter decided to take me out to eat after the movie and our server spilled water ALL over my lap.

Laughing!!! I guess I really am Ariel. Gotta love life.😂

When I tell you God has such a sense of humor. Y’all, I really do love my life. Always entertaining AND drama free. I can’t do drama. Would rather laugh.♥️

Life

New Movie Suggestion

If you haven’t already seen the new The Little Mermaid movie, you should really go see it this weekend. Great movie!

Oh! And if you haven’t figured it out, I am a hopeful romantic. Yep, that’s me! Y’all, I’m Ariel and I’m in love with Eric!!! ♥️🥹🥰😂

Listen, I took a break from social media this weekend, so y’all it! Lol! I’m going to try not to post too many blogs.

Enjoy your weekend.♥️

Life

Own Your Life

Happy Saturday!

“Shaun, own your life! Own it!” was the last thing I wrote in my journal entry on May 27, 2019.

Now, here we are four years later.

Y’all, I really am proud of everything I have accomplished thus far. I often feel like I am behind until I take a trip down memory lane. My list of accomplishments is quite extensive. The difference between me and the people I have been comparing myself to on social media (being transparent) is that they share their achievements and I hide mine. I keep mine hidden because I don’t want it to seem like I’m bragging. Even when I had my office on campus, I never displayed my awards or degrees. I have military accolades that are still packed away. Even some of the positions I have held, aren’t on my resume. Y’all, I even find it hard telling people I was in a doctoral program for two years. I didn’t complete it… or haven’t completed it yet–still on the fence about it–but I did it.

It’s time for me to take that advice I gave myself four years ago– Own it! Haaaa… why do I hear my fav, Tyler Perry, saying, “Own your stuff!”

Year 50 loading…

Thank you for reading. Wishing you a peaceful day!♥️

Shaun

Had to add this gem! Went and found Tyler’s speech. Y’all, he gave the speech on June 23, 2019; however, BET shared it on June 24, 2019….. MY BIRTHDAY!!! Yes, I’m screaming! Gotta love life. Tyler Perry’s BET speech. Let’s call it, Own Your Stuff.

Life

A New Era is Dawning Part 2

Again, another testimony in real time! Here’s the first message that showed up on YouTube.

Welcome to my world! This is my life.

You can say my phone, YouTube, social media or the internet picks up on words that I write or speak and then chooses which messages I see. Could be AI. However, I choose to believe it’s a greater power. It’s God.

Now, things don’t always happen like this. I do not need constant reassurance, encouragement or confirmation throughout the day. However, it’s little things like this that let me know me know God hears me, sees me, got me and I am truly loved.

Shaun