I can’t believe it’s been nine years since I went to see The PASSION Live!
Seems like it was only a few years ago, not almost ten. Wow!
Y’all, how it happened was how so many things have happened in my life. I have a random wish—“I wish I could…”—and it happens. A few days before I went to the event, I saw something on Twitter about it happening in New Orleans—which is basically down the highway from me. At that moment, I thought, “I wish I could go see it.” Not lying… not even a day later, I saw that free tickets were available, and I got one! The rest is history! It was an awesome experience, but it was SO COLD that day.🥶
I’ve shared the same image below since 2022. To continue with the “love” theme, I’m sharing it again today, along with two of my previous captions—the first is included in the screenshot.
Keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate it.
Here’s the second caption, which was shared last year.
Feeling a bit nostalgic this morning. Taking it back to when times seemed simpler. When love seemed simpler. But what would I know? I was only around four or five when “When Somebody Loves You Back,” was released.🤭 Let’s just say I felt the love Teddy was singing about. It was between this song and L.T.D.’s “Love Ballad.” I’m a 70’s baby, of course I love “LOVE.”☺️
When I shared last year’s post as an Instagram story, I included Teddy Pendergrass’ “When Somebody Loves You Back.” As you can see, I was torn between it and another 70’s favorite, L.T.D.’s “Love Ballad.” I remember my granddaddy playing L.T.D.’s eight track while driving his midnight blue L.T.D. I was so intrigued by the fact that they were both L.T.D.s that I never forgot either—not even the color of his car. Great memories.☺️
As I said in my caption from last year, “I’m a 70’s baby, of course I love “LOVE.”☺️” It’s who I am, and this year I’m embracing it. I am a lover and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said—
“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”
This post has been in my drafts since January 8, 2022. I wrote it for another blog, but can’t locate the link. Glad I saved it here. This was my mother.
Title: Momma, I See You
I was born to a teenage mother, who was born to a teenage mother, who was born to a teenage mother. Yep.. three generations of teen moms. My mother was 14 years old when she became pregnant with me and 15 when she gave birth. What’s ironic is my grandmother was also pregnant. Not only was she about to birth her eighth child at 30, but she was also about to become a first time grandmother. Can you imagine being 30 years old with eight children and your first grandchild on the way? Oh… and my great grandmother, my grandmother’s mom, had 12 children at the time and she was only 43. Y’all, I’m 47 with two children. Had my first child at 21 and my second at 30. Just thinking about what it must have felt like being a teenage mother is unimaginable, let alone having multiple children and grandchildren by the age of 30.
Well, a few years ago, during one of my mom’s frequent visits to the emergency room, I thought about what it must have felt like to be responsible for another life at such a young age. When I arrived at the hospital, she was in so much pain. Every time the nurses touched her she moaned. I wanted to help but couldn’t. Finally the doctor gave her something to ease the pain and she fell asleep. I didn’t leave. I just sat there watching her sleep. Honestly, it was like watching a stranger. The person I saw lying there wasn’t the loud, strong, opinionated woman I knew. This woman was vulnerable, tired, and broken. That’s when it hit me that she was so much more than my mother, she was a woman.
While sitting there, I began reminiscing about my childhood and the sacrifices she had made for me and my five siblings. She always made sure our needs were met even if she had to go without. When I was a baby, she worked in the cotton fields to buy me clothes and pampers. She married a man twice her age, and endured abuse, so that she could support me. By the time she divorced him two years later, she had another little girl to support. Although she had two toddlers, she graduated from high school early and enrolled in college. At 18 she was walking the campus of Jackson State University with two in tow. I still remember attending night classes with her when she couldn’t find a babysitter. During that time she was always learning something new as well as introducing us to new things. For me, that was the most exciting time of my childhood. Also, she was no stranger to hard work. Throughout my childhood, I don’t ever remember hearing her complain about taking on second jobs or not being able to take off for vacations. She did what she had to do to provide for her family. I remember how one year she walked miles to work in the snow, while pregnant with one of my younger sisters. One day she slipped and fell and still went to work. That’s how dedicated and selfless she was. Although she experienced heartaches, disappointments, and abuse, we rarely saw her cry. She was the rock of the family.
Needless to say, by the time I left the hospital I was a changed woman. I saw my mom through a different lens. Not only her but my grandmother and great grandmother as well. I often wonder what kind of sacrifices and compromises did they have to make to ensure their children had everything they needed.
Listen, like most mother-daughter relationships, my mother and I have had our ups and downs. However, it wasn’t until I put myself in her shoes that I was able to better understand some of her experiences and decisions. I will admit that the woman she was throughout my childhood made me the woman I am today, and for that, I’m grateful.
The months I spent with her before she passed were a blessing I didn’t know I needed. I needed that time with her. Even though it was like caring for a child at times, I still knew I was hers. So many times I wanted to climb up in the hospital bed with her.
My momma…
She made us take pictures that day (June 1997). She just had to have a family photo even though we weren’t dressed for one.😅We were so unserious. But it was her day, and there was no way we weren’t going to comply. She was still Momma! We also took pictures with my grandma (her mom). About a couple of weeks later, my grandma suddenly died. The following year, my mom became paralyzed from the waist down.
Life can change in the blink of an eye. Make sure you cherish every moment with those you love.♥️
In February 2016, I was in Washington, D.C., visiting Mississippi’s U.S. senators and representatives, and literally bumped into the late and great Honorable John Lewis as he was coming out of his office. It was one of those surprise meetings I will always cherish. We could use some “good trouble” right now.♥️ ~Shaun
I haven’t shared much about my daughter’s upcoming 30th birthday lately, but I haven’t forgotten about her big day—which she says is also mine and that I should buy myself a small cake and celebrate too. Y’all, I just love her!🥰
The first picture is from my surprise baby shower, which the ladies from work had planned for me. As you can see, I have pink and blue balloons. I had decided I wanted the sex of my baby to be a surprise, so I had no clue what I was having. They were very creative in finding gender-neutral baby items. I was so blessed to have their friendship and support.
The next ones were taken days before I went into labor. I was working my last set of mid-shifts (10 PM – 6 AM). I remember telling my coworker, Tim, that my mucus plug had come out before I came on shift. When I tell you that chain smoker smoked more cigarettes than he’d ever smoked during a shift. Baby, he was so nervous.😂 I ended up going into labor my first night off. Crazy but good memories.☺️
By this time, I was tired. I couldn’t even tie my boots on my own. Had to wait until I got on shift for help. My coworkers were so sweet.On the wall behind me were pictures of astronaut crews that had stopped through. They loved flying into Eglin. Ft. Walton Beach/Destin, Florida, then was nothing like it is today, so I imagine they come in more often now.
I think about all the pictures I took back then, and I didn’t even have a cell phone. Well, I had one—a big, bulky one that plugged into the car—but not like I have today, with easy access to my camera. So, it amazes me that I always kept a camera with me. Wow! I was very intentional about documenting my pregnancy. Pretty cool!😌
Soooo… many, many moons ago, I used to be somewhat of a gamer. I only liked the cutesy games—Pac Man, Frogger, everything Mario/Mario Bros., Sonic, etc. In the early 90s it was NBA Jam and Mortal Kombat, and then back to Mario when my daughter was born. In my 30s, it was Gameboy and DS games. Then, somewhere along the way, I became addicted to the Facebook games—Farmville and Cafe World. I used to play those at work. Y’all, it was serious! I’m not sure when I stopped playing video games. I used to play Words with Friends with my mom until she began having problems with her eyesight. Now, I only play Candy Crush and Mahjong every now and then.
Anyhoo, the reason for my post.
Someone posted on X—
“OG gamers ONLY. What’s the first game you remember playing?”
Y’all, how about I commented, “Space Invaders,” and everyone else in the comments had named Nintendo64 games. Lol
Then, I told my daughter and she said she had never heard of Space Invaders. Hilarious!
Y’all, I’m old.
Like, old, old.😂😂😂
Gotta love life…
Did you ever play video games, and if so, what was your favorite?
I believe my favorite was this Nintendo DS Sims Castaway game. I played it several times and could only achieve a 99% completion rate. There was this one rare fish I could never catch.
Anyway, that made me smile, so I had to share.☺️
I pray you’re having a peaceful evening. If I don’t write more tonight, rest well and “Good Night.”♥️
Prepare to be sick of me and my pictures because they are coming!!😅😁
January 1995, Eglin AFB, Florida
I was about to POP!
It’s wild that this was 30 years ago! How?! Where did the time go. I was so pregnant. Look at my face! And my head.😂 It was really my hair. It was so long.
I loved being pregnant. Just like I love everything about motherhood.🥰
Me at my “man’s” (he was 21—barely a man😂) dorm room. We had no idea what we were doing. Lol. Life…
Thought I’d be asleep by now but I am wide awake. The Facebook memory above has me smiling because in 10 days I will have a 30 year old!🎉
When I took that picture, I had no idea my life would be totally different two years later. You couldn’t have told me I would be pregnant, single, and broken, and I’d believe it. There was no way!
I’m smiling because I remember that young girl who was pretending to be a grown woman. She had so much to learn about people and life, but she thought she knew it all. Couldn’t convince her otherwise.
I smile at her innocence.
I smile at her perception of life and people. She believed in everything good.
I smile because she was once me.
I was once her.
I’m still her.
Just older, wiser…and a little lot heavier.☺️
What a journey this life has been. I am forever grateful for the experiences, good and bad, because both made me who I am today. I’m not going to lie, I do miss her.🥰
When I tell you my kids, especially my son, know me so well. A few days ago, my daughter was watching the Luther Vandross documentary (if you haven’t seen it yet, you need too, it’s so good!) and was texting me every few minutes because she was so in awe of his talent. I just laughed because I thought she knew. I thought everyone knew how talented and gifted he was. Lol. Anyhoo… seeing this memory makes me smile. Luther Vandross was the man! And whenever I get in a funk, I usually listen to a Luther of JG (Johnny Gill) song.🥰
Yeah… funny memory.
Right now “Never Too Much” is playing in my head; however, it’s not my favorite Luther song.
It’s Shaun’s World 
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