I’m still singing Byron Cage’s song “Air I Breathe (or Breathe).” Started singing it on Saturday and haven’t been able to shake it since. Thanking God for His holy presence surrounding me and living within me.
How was your extended weekend?
Mine was good! My daughter arrived on Thursday and left yesterday morning. I hated to see her leave, but I enjoyed every minute of our time together. We had a few of our deep conversations while she was here. We didn’t dance, sing, or laugh much this time (we did laugh, just not as much). This time, our conversations were more serious—ones we needed to have. I’m so grateful God placed her in my life. She’s my blessing.
On Saturday, I spent the day volunteering with a local nonprofit for the International Day of Charity. Y’all, it was so hot! I sweated so much that salt was literally coming out of my pores. I believe it was over 100° F and humid. Listen, it’s not always the heat that leaves you drained; it’s the humidity. I would post before and after pics, but I’m too embarrassed. Y’all, I looked a mess after it was over.😂 Aside from the heat and humidity, I enjoyed every minute of being outside and serving our guests. When I got home, I showered, ate, and went to sleep. Didn’t wake up until after midnight. Yeah… I was tired!
Yesterday, Labor Day, I relaxed a little but still worked some. My sister and her little ones stopped by for a quick visit yesterday evening. So I got to love on them for a minute. I’m so proud of the youngest one because he’s finally fully potty trained, and he was happy to announce that he’s now a big boy. I just love my nieces and nephews. They’re my little hearts.
Anyhoo… that was my extended weekend. This morning, I’m enjoying God’s presence. My heart is full.
Listen, be intentional about recognizing and enjoying the blessings God has placed in your life. They are some of the greatest gifts.
***By the way, today is my 100th Day of posting.🎉 Smiling because I remember when I was so bent on not breaking my 1,800+ day streak. What a ride that was!😊
I was scrolling through my photos and came across pictures from my daughter’s graduation from undergrad school. She was just a baby. Now she’s grown, grown. I am so proud of the woman she’s become.🥰
I didn’t get any good pictures with her, but I’m glad everyone else did.
When I woke up this morning, the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate Mother’s Day. I just wasn’t feeling it. But God and my daughter had different plans. I’m so glad she decided to come home this weekend. I needed her company. I needed the love, laughs, hugs (from both of my hearts), and good food. I may have lost my mother, but… I am a mother. God blessed me with two beautiful souls. How could I not celebrate this honor?
My daughter is on her way back home. We did more in about 18 hours than we would have done the entire weekend. When I tell you we laughed, danced, sang, ate, watched Netflix (started “Forever”), had a few deep conversations, and ate some more.🥰
To the mothers and mother figures who nurture and give selflessly, “Happy Mother’s Day!” You are loved and appreciated.💕🌸💗
Just made it home and was surprised with two gift—
One…
My daughter’s home! She told me she probably wouldn’t come home because I was going to have a busy weekend, but she had sent me something that would make me smile.
And two…
I’m smiling. She sent me flowers. Y’all, I got my roses!
Talk about the perfect ending to a very long day. God is so very good.
Hanging with my two tonight. Y’all, we have discussed everything under the sun in only a few hours, and we’re still talking. I can’t say it enough, I just love them so much. They keep me smiling, laughing, and feeling loved. My heart and soul are full.🥰
Not sure why it’s taken me forever to realize that my besties are my two hearts. When I think about my relationship with my actual friends (even my sisters), we can go days, even weeks without texting, and months without seeing each other. However, with my two, we talk everyday all day long. Maybe not verbally, but via texts… well, my daughter and I do. My son chimes in every now and then. He’d rather FaceTime. Now that they’re grown, they’ve become my best friends. I guess I’m their Mother-Friend.🙃 Thanking God for blessing me with friends I didn’t know I would need.
This is us. My daughter just left to head home. This is my first time feeling sad about her leaving. I wasn’t ready for her to go.😔
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.♥️
Around this time last night, I was at my daughter’s place watching “Bringing Down The House” and laughing like crazy. Now, I’m back home, showered, and in bed, and it’s barely 8:30 PM. Although our visit wasn’t even a good 18 hours, I believe it was one of our best times together. Seeing her smiles and hearing her laughter was worth the short trip.
Can’t wait to celebrate her 30th tomorrow!
I hope you had a great weekend. Wishing you a peaceful night and wonderful week ahead.♥️
Soooo…. We popped up on my daughter to help her celebrate her 30th birthday weekend. Y’all, she was so surprised! Her fiance did a good job keeping it a secret.
I still can’t believe my baby will be 30 years old. I’m serious. Where did the time go?
It’s Shaun’s World 
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