Back in 2020 when I wrote about our friendship, I only used her first initial. She’s so private. However, today I am using her name—Tara. Y’all, Tara is hurting so badly right now. Her only child, Marley, who she has dedicated her entire life to raising, is missing. She’s the air Tara breathes. For years, her life has been centered around Marley, her husband, and God. She would get me for not mentioning God first. Y’all, I love her so much and pray that God brings Marley home unharmed. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.🙏🏽♥️ ~Shaun
Here’s the blog I shared almost four years ago. At that time we had been friends 20 years. I am so grateful for our friendship. We are like night and day, oil and water, but God put us together for a reason. Blessed.
I am most grateful to be alive. Grateful that I have another chance to love on my babies; another chance to experience something exciting and new (why am I hearing the Love Boat theme song—smile); another chance to accept or decline opportunities; another chance to make better decisions; another chance to live…to really live.
Of course I am grateful for so much more…including YOU! Thank you for taking the time to drop in and read my posts. I truly appreciate you.♥️
Now, it’s your turn. What are you most grateful for?
First, let me start off by saying God is so Good. Y’all, I needed that visit with my bestie, Shawn, yesterday.
Moment of transparency…
After my mom passed, I began feeling isolated from everyone and everything (still do at times). It was like I began seeing people and things for who/what they were, and decided I no longer wanted or needed to participate in the shenanigans just to feel included (personally and professionally). Basically, the only ones who mattered were my babies. They were the only ones besides my tiny circle (cause family was iffy) who I could count on to remain the same. I am pretty sure most of what I was feeling was grief, but not all.
Anyway, I needed to see Shawn, even if it was only for several hours. Y’all, we laughed and laughed. Like I said, I needed her visit. One thing I can say about our friendship is we don’t let what’s going on around us affect our relationship, never have. Rarely do we waste our conversations on negative things. Life is just too short and too precious to focus on the negative. Which leads me to the topic of this post—my newest chapter.
A few days ago, I hit the midpoint or peak of Year50. Instead of waiting until 2024 or Year51 to start a new chapter, I have decided to start it now. I mean, I am the writer, right? (Laughing) However, with this being said, I must remember God is the editor-in-chief and has the final say. Yeah…I cannot forget this part. Listen, sometimes he throws in more plot twists than my fav and have me all over the place (laughing), but I trust Him. He knows what he is doing. So, welcome to my newest chapter, “The Next Six Months.”
Y’all, it seems like I have a Facebook memory for every occasion. As I said, God is the editor-in-chief, and I guess you can say I am living out the edited version of what has already been written. Here is what I shared two years ago.
Facebook Memory: December 29, 2021
Your next chapter will be AMAZING! Receive it. Speak it – “My next chapter will be AMAZING!” Own it!
Speaking it. Receiving it. Owning it! My next chapter will be AMAZING!
That’s all I have for you for now. Listen, you do not have to wait until the new year or a special occasion to start your next chapter. You can always start today. You control the pen. Feel free to end this chapter now and start the next one. But, beware, God does have the final say, and He just might throw in a few unexpected things (those plot twists) to keep life interesting. I mean, who likes boring. Okay…sometimes boring is good. Smile
In a few hours I will be picking up my bestie of 48 years from the airport. This will be our first time seeing each other in person this year. I’m so excited! She will only be here for a day, but any time with her is always wonderful. I can’t wait to see her! God knew I needed this.
Friendships…
Lately, my circle of friends has become smaller. I guess I should now refer to it as tiny. Yeah, 2023 has been some year. Most of the ones I have now I have had for decades. Thankfully they are not fair-weather friends. They can actually stand the rain. Hmm…Now I have to listen to Johnny Gill’s “Fairweather Friend,” or New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain” or any JG or NE/BBD (because now I’m hearing “When Will I See You Smile Again”) song for that matter. Laughing. Baby, I can go on and on with the songs. I am NE4Life!!
Anyhoo…As always, my Facebook memories are so timely. Although I shared this song a week or so ago in another post, I also shared it two years ago.
Facebook Memory: December 28, 2021
“Keep smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That’s what friends are for.” Dionne Warwick
“In good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forevermore. That’s what friends are for.”
Today’s going to be a great day! I pray you have a strong circle of friends or at least one true friend. Friendships are so important. Wishing you a wonderful day! Love you!♥️
I actually slept all night! Believe I fell asleep around 11 PM and didn’t wake up until 5 AM. I needed the sleep.
Yesterday, one of my friends drove down to have lunch with me and we talked for hours. Y’all, I needed the company. I needed to feel like an individual again. I needed to feel like Shaun again. It felt so good to be able to freely express myself without judgement or tiptoeing around feelings. Grateful for true friendships.
I’m going to leave you with a few gems from August 6th (wish I could share them all):
Facebook Memories
All it takes is ONE.There’s only ONE you. Chosen.♥️I have loved basketball for decades (since high school). Went to one BIG3 game and knew I wanted to own a team. Optimistic.😊Trust God’s plan.
What is most important to you? For me, it’s my family and healthy relationships.
The last few days, actually months, have been quite challenging. Not sure if this is the most difficult season I have had to endure, but it’s pretty close. Although things have been a little crazy, I personally believe I am handling things well. I know that if any of this would have happened a few years back, I would have had a mental breakdown. Thanking God for growth. Thanking God for the smaller challenges – the ones I did not believe I would make it through – they prepared me for what I am facing today.
I believe I am doing better this time around because I am only focusing on, as well as holding on to, things and relationships that are most important to me. They are keeping me afloat.
I pray you are focused on what’s most important in your life. Love you!♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
You must be logged in to post a comment.