This weekend was hard because it reminded me of my brother’s death in October 2019. However, now I’m remembering one of the happier moments of October 2019.
This morning I was bombarded with all kinds of wonderful memories of my fav being celebrated. Little did I know that two extremes could happen in the same month. To be on ten at one point—because I was celebrating and posting like I was there with Tyler Perry. I was so excited and happy for him! Only to hit zero—less than zero—two weeks later when my brother died. Y’all, I could scream now! Life is something else!
Anyhoo… I’m going to keep it on a happy note. No tears today.
Here’s what I shared five years ago after purchasing this magazine.
He deserves his roses.🌹
Now, here’s what I shared moments ago when I reshared it on Facebook.
Facebook Present😉: October 7, 2024
Great memory!! I believe this was one of Tyler Perry’s most memorable years of his success and brilliance being on display for the world to see. That summer he made one of his most famous speeches at the BET awards about the importance of ownership and not allowing anyone to stop us from fulfilling our dreams. It was also the same year, and around this time, that Tyler Perry Studios had its grand opening. Oh, and he also got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. What a year that was!🌟
For me, it was the excitement of watching God fulfill a dream in real time. I had been following Tyler’s endeavors for a while, and it was great to see him celebrated. But, listen, Tyler’s dream isn’t the only one I’ve been following. No, I’ve been following YOURS, too! I see YOU, and I see what God is doing in your life. You may not always see it because you’re too close to it. However, God is working and doing some AMAZING things in your life. Whatever you dreamed WILL come to fruition. I see it!!
I look at Tyler’s story and his success as motivation to keep going. Yes, all of us will have setbacks, as Tyler did. However, we must not give up. Listen, cry when you need to cry. Take a break when needed. But whatever you do, NEVER give up on your dreams! Love you!♥️
**Just want to add, it’s so cool that he’s sharing the cover with baby Archie. I bet he never imagined in a million years he would become a godfather to an actual princess. How beautiful is that!💖
Again, great memory!
Y’all, as I mentioned, I’m following YOUR dreams, too. I see YOU. I see God working. I see who you’re becoming. Don’t give up!
One of the reasons I check my Facebook memories daily is because I get to see past interactions from loved ones who have passed on. Reading their comments or just seeing their names pop up on the screen makes me feel like they’re still here. They’re just far away. This is also why I don’t delete all of my text messages or voicemails (I always hold on to 2-3). When I need to hear their voices or read their last words, I can. So blessed to have had them in my life.♥️ ~Shaun
My momma is still with me.🥰 And…great quote!😁 I try my best to live by this.
Several weeks ago, I shared a Facebook memory with excerpts from my journal entry from 1998 along with a few pictures of Michael Jordan memorabilia that I had collected during that era. I had originally shared them on Facebook while watching Michael Jordan’s documentary, “The Last Dance,” which aired in April and May of 2020. In that post, “The Last Dance,” I said that I would share the newspaper articles if I came across them in my Facebook memories. Well, here they are, along with a Space Jam coin I had found.
Side Note: If you didn’t watch the 10 episode documentary, you missed out. It was phenomenal! Took me all the way back to the 90s. Smiling
The Space Jam coin that came with the VHS tape.The 1997 NBA Finals The 1998 NBA Finals a.k.a. The Last Dance
How about I had forgotten the Chicago Bulls beat the Utah Jazz in the 1997 and 1998 finals. Fun times! Loved the game. I should look and see if I wrote anything about the 1997 finals. During that time, I would have been preparing to move from Florida to Turkey so I may not have written much. Going to check before I share this post.
Well, that was my love for basketball in the 90s. Sadly, I can’t even recall the last time I watched a NBA game since then. However, over the past few years, I have watched a few BIG3 games. I love the fact that some of the players from the 90s are now coaches or have come back to play with the BIG3. My favorite team is the Triplets coached by Lisa Leslie. Y’all, she’s so awesome!
I did write about the 1997 Finals. Here’s some of what I found.
Shaun’s Journal Entries: June 13 & 14, 1997 (excuse my penmanship—when I write, I write with passion😅)
Facebook will create reels for you from past stories shared on a particular date. So, instead of sharing one of my Facebook posts from this date, I am sharing the reel it created. Soul II Soul’s “Keep On Movin’” was the recommended song. I removed the sound from the video for this post; however, if you would like to view the reel as shared, feel free to click the link.
There are only two weeks left in 2023! Be sure to spend them doing something fun and meaningful including making beautiful memories with family and friends. Love you!♥️
A fellow blogger, Understand546, wrote about his open mic experience (My Open Mic Experience) that happened on June 24, 2018, my 45th birthday. I just had to see what I had written on that date and here it is. Enjoy!
Here are two more Facebook memories I wanted to share before this day ended. They are my annual reminders that where I am today is not where I am meant to stay. As long as I am breathing, there will always be more to my story.
Facebook Memory: December 4, 2019
Good Morning! Here’s today’s social media find. I’m in tears, y’all. This was three years ago during one of my lowest moments, and a few days before my car accident. Whew! It was posts like this that kept me going. When I couldn’t see my way, I would always find words of encouragement through social media. I’m so grateful I made it through those tough times. I’m here. I’m still standing. What was meant to break me, didn’t work.💃🏽
Originally shared on December 4, 2016
Facebook Memory: December 4, 2020
Blessed. Humbled. Grateful.
I entered 2020 without any expectations. I was tired of expecting things to happen only to be disappointed at the end of the year. This year I decided to allow God to lead. What I discovered is when He leads, AMAZING things happen!
I’m so grateful to be a contributing author in the Finally Free anthology. I’m so thankful for my Finally Free family. I have always believed in divine connections. I know God has placed me where I am at this specific moment in time, with this group of authors, for a specific purpose. For His purpose. He’s so intentional, y’all! It didn’t happen two or three years ago when I thought I was ready. It happened now, in the midst of a pandemic! HOW AWESOME!! He just amazes me! Y’all, I’m so thankful I allowed God to lead.
What a difference a year makes. My brother had just passed away in October 2019, and I was in a funk. I was disappointed, heartbroken, and felt hopeless. I really didn’t want to see or hear anything about expecting great things in the new year. Then, 2020 came and flipped everyone’s life upside down. By the time I was asked to do the anthology, I was just happy to feel normal again. Y’all, God is so good.He knew exactly what I needed to keep me going.
As I mentioned in my previous post, life never really happens as we envision it to; however, it always happens according to God’s plan and in our favor. This year I am without my mom. To be honest, everything feels like déjà vu. However, unlike four years ago, I am going into 2024 expecting great things to happen.
I love my life. Someone on Twitter asked, “If you could change one thing about your childhood, what would it be?” I thought and thought. For years I wished that things were different. I wished that we had more. That I was loved more. That I didn’t have to go through so many things that could have caused me to lose my mind. But I responded with, “I wouldn’t change a thing.” Everything I’ve gone through has shaped and molded me into the person I am today. I’m able to help others because of what I’ve been through. I believe that’s what God wants us to do. Our past negative experiences aren’t for us to wallow in and complain about. They’re there to inspire others. While we’re going through difficulties we usually can’t see a way out.
If you’re still breathing, it means you’ve made it! You may not be where you want to be, but you’re here!!
I know this is long. I’m used to journaling. I just wanted to share my thoughts. I woke up this morning thinking about all of the turmoil around us. Like everything else, we’ll make it through this. My great great grandma, Madear, was not a “saint.” I can probably count on one hand how many times she actually went to church. However, one thing she did every morning, as soon as she got out of bed, was say a prayer and read Psalms 23. She did this EVERY morning. Whenever I’m going through something I always remember Psalms 23. Like I said, she wasn’t a “saint,” but she instilled in me the value of ALWAYS putting God first no matter what. I miss her so much. I thank God for placing her in my life.
That’s all. Be blessed!🙏🏾❤️
That was written seven years ago. Today, my answer is still the same, I wouldn’t change a thing. Yesterday I came across a short segment of a discussion between Jay Shetty and Tony Robbins (Escape Your Misery). Although it was only eleven minutes long, the message was so powerful. It was about the choices we make after experiencing difficulties. Either we allow them to take us further down or we allow them to propel us forward. Over my lifetime, I have always attempted the latter. Maybe not like Tony, but I have and I plan to continue doing so.
Looking back—everything I went through made me the woman I am today; and everything I am currently going through is shaping the woman I am to become tomorrow. Taking no experience for granted. Using them all as fuel to push forward.
Happy Sunday! I know I have been sharing a lot of Facebook memories lately instead of actually writing. I have exactly one week left in this term. Afterwards, I will begin drawing and sharing new writings again. Until then, please enjoy my memories.
Facebook Memory: November 5, 2022
Today, I encourage you to stay focused on the bigger picture. The goal. The dream. The mission. The purpose.
Gotta stay focused.
I also found this gem from the same day.
It definitely takes a while to build a dream. Seems like I have been building most of my life. My dreams may not have come to fruition yet, but I know they’re coming. I can feel it! I cannot stop working towards them.
It’s reminders like Tyler’s posts; meeting Dr. David Satcher and Chefs Leah Chase and Marcus Samuelsson; seeing Carol Moseley Braun pop up in my Facebook memories; and endless inspirational and motivational YouTube videos from too many people to name, that keep me going. They remind me of my “why”. There is so much more I am meant to do. So many more lives I am meant to touch. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am meant to help those in need. Not on a local, state or national level, but on a global level. Last night I dreamed I was somewhere helping a group of people and I was speaking French. Y’all I have to stay focused and push through this process. I must see this thing through.
Listen, I love y’all! Thank you so much for supporting me and reading my blogs. I really do appreciate you. As I mentioned above, soon I will be back with new content. Praying you have a fabulous Sunday.
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