Grieving During the Holidays

 In the last week, I've had a good friend to die and another is on life support.

Susan Peters was a walking light.  She glowed.  People were drawn to her.  And she was love personified.

She died suddenly in an automobile accident.  Suddenly, her life was snuffed away. This beautiful person..

And then there's Steve Strode.  A beautiful, kind person who is clinging to life after a case of road rage.  He was beaten to a pulp and prayer warriors are surrounding him...hoping he'll make it.

Father God, welcome Susan to heaven with harps. She is a beautiful person who will be a great addition to your orbit of angels.

And pray that Steve pulls through. He is an angel on earth as he gives so much and cares so much.

Let him wake up and begin the recovery journey while he pray hard....HARD!

In my way, I love them both and lift them both up in prayer.

Human contact

You simply can't make authentic connections via Facebook, email or even on the phone.

I'd been trying to connect with a media type but she wouldn't return my call.  Then, I found out that she was invited to a party of an organization of which I'm a member.

Problem #1:  There was no assurance she'd be there.

Problem #2:   He was freezing cold out and I lived far from the party site.

Never mind, I thought.  I'll take my chances.

So, I braved the cold and drove in the dark to an uncertain outcome.

But everything was working:

SHE WAS THERE!  I scampered up to her, introduced myself and engaged in brief banter. 

PLUS!  I met several others I craved to introduce myself to.

As soon as I got home, I sent out "It was nice meeting you" emails to each.  Of the five I emailed, I got kind responses from three...including the contact I wanted to meet.

So, the human contact is key - ALWAYS!

Amid the Gloom, be joyous

Mass shootings....Anti-semitics on the rise...a pervasive atmosphere of conflict and hate.

This is the situation in the world today. 

And yet Christmas and the season are still on the calendar.

As we are steeped in the horrendous news, let's rise above this and 

be joyous

celebratory

and LOVING!

Vietnam

During my formative years.  the Vietnam war dominated the news. I met a guy who was a Brigadier General who served in Vietnam and had vivid memories of two friends who served there and were never the same.

So, I've had a fixation about it. I''ve always been intrigued and always wanted to go.

Recently, a travel agency advertised a trip to Vietnam at a can't-resist price. So, I've decided to go -- with one exception!  I'm not going to endure the dread of going on a super economy flight.  With the crying babies, the coughers and the uncomfortable seats, I decided to zap the flight portion of the package.

So, I'm going Business Class!

Yea...it's more expensive but I get great treatment, I can roust about in the space reserved for the special people.

So, this is a GO!

I'm going to Vietnam!

Shutting Down

We're in the final stretch of the year and I'm making the announcement:

I'M SHUTTING DOWN 2022!

I'm saying NO to new assignments.

I'm saying NO to requests for favors that are really work related!

I'm saying NO to working on any end-of-year committees.

I'm saying YES to vacations, YES to leisure and YES to ME!

 

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

 I am SOOO happy!

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

A month ago, he announced that he was coming and I'm so happy!

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

I haven't seen him in years and crazy schedules have kept us apart!

So, I am beyond thrilled that

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

I'm going to sing it to the rafters as I do my happy dance!

Why am I so happy?

BECAUSE

My Brother is Coming to Visit Me!

The Scream

There is an ad running in Chicago showing a woman strolling down the street when a swarm of thugs surround her and rob her.

The only sound is her screaming.

It is a powerful ad that is polarizing the city pitting political parties against one another.

I have expressed my opinion on this and been attacked because I appear to be siding with one party over the other.

Crime is out of control and I don't care who is to blame.  We need leaders with effective solutions and lawmakers willing to put in place measures that do not favor the thugs. They laugh at these ineffective laws.

I've been attacked and robbed at gunpoint and that shaped my views.

I don't care who takes on this challenge but it must be addressed or there is no hope for us.  We would also be at the hands of thugs who rob, kill and attack with no regard.

Time for change.

No love for Patrick McEnroe but Taylor overcomes

Taylor Townsend is a FAB-U-LOUS tennis player, savvy, cunning and just DAMN GOOD!

I did a deep dive into her background and discovered -- SHOCKINGLY -- that Patrick McEnroe had totally fat shamed her and attempted to derail her career when she was the #1 junior.  

This lack of embracing/encouraging/uplifting Taylor really hurt her career.  She got no sponsors, no money --nothing but GRIEF from the tennis community.

He hurt her and she suffered.

And so, when she and Caty McNally won their way to the US Open doubles match, I applauded and bowed to her.

She made her statement and they had the nerve to have Patrick McEnroe interview her -- spoiling her moment.

Many years ago, I met Patrick McEnroe when the women's championships were held at Madison Square Garden.  We exchanged pleasantries and I remarked that he was a "good commentator."

Now that I know his character is lacking, I rescind that compliment.

Character is important and his treatment toward Taylor forces me to descend into the gutter.

Patrick McEnroe sucks!

It's Serena time!

 If it's US Open time, it's SERENA TIME!

Everyone is blowing this up as if it's her final tournament.  But I think she's going to pull a Michael Jordan and retire and then un-retire.

I don't think Serena is going to hang up her racket!

NOT YET!

Love the NABJ conference

Once a year, I attend the National Association of Black Journalists Conference.

Under one roof, you see and have an opportunity to meet the world's leading Black journalists.  Plus, you get to attend some of the best educational, informative sessions.

And the parties are off the chain.

I just got back yesterday and I'm on a high.

Looking forward to next year -- in Birmingham.  

BIG FUN!   

I got it!

 After years of ducking it.

After years of being bypassed.

And, after being lulled into thinking I wouldn't get it.

I got it!

COVID!

It happened while I was at the AKA Boule in Orlando. And, Theta Omega had 33 Sorors to go:  Ten of us got it.

So, I was at a super spreader.

And that is where I got it!

Today, I'm negative but I got it!

Resort Fees or should I say Resort Hustles

The problem with vacationing at popular tourist sites is the Resort Fee.  These adds on can be as much as 25% of the room cost.

They claim the same amenities that you'd ordinarily get.

This year, I'm going to Orlando and to Las Vegas: two hot spots for this kind of hustle. So, I'll have to add Resort Fees to my budget...or stick to visiting less-glitzy lower/profile tour favorites. s

And again

 Just as I was lamenting the mass shooting in Buffalo, comes another horrific one:  In Uvalde, Texas.

Little children mowed down -- obliterated to the point where parents had to submit DNA because their bodies were so unrecognizable.

Outrage. Acts of protest. Pleas to the president to DO SOMETHING!

It seems like there is no solution.

But maybe --MAYBE - the horror of Buffalo and Uvalde will wake up lawmakers and prompt them to 

DO SOMETHING!

I hope that President's resolve and comment of WE WILL triggers action!

WHEN?

The mass slaughter of innocent citizens in Buffalo is becoming more and more common.   I hope we don't become anesthetized to it. The Black on Black crime is beyond normal...it's become part of our daily ritual.  It's a yawner.

Polarization, white supremacy and DEMENTED HATE triggered these continued staccato murders.  

I'm afraid to go to Chicago because of the fear of being an innocent bystander killed by an errant bullet. Or getting carjack, or being robbed for my cellphone.

I've become more cocooned in my house.  This is not good.

But it has to end....but when?

Looking Forward to a Summer of Conventions, Connections and Camaraderie

I am anticipating Summer 2022 because my datebook suggests I'm going to have a Summer of Fun, Frolic and one Full of learning.

It starts July 10-15 when I journey to Orlando for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Boule´.  It'll be a week of hugging, reconnecting, learning and -- of course -- celebrating our sorority.  

From August 3-7 is the National Association of Black Journalists' convention in Las Vegas.  That's a great time to make valuable connections and to network.  I've always enjoyed NABJ and, against the backdrop of Las Vegas, I should have even more fun.

Coming off of a week of NABJ will be the Western and Southern Tennis Tournamentfrom August 13-21. This will be the third year I'm going and it has always been awesome. The top players journey there before the US Open.  I look forward to seeing the top players up front and personal as the bleachers practically touch the courts. 

The summer will cap off with my Summer dinner that's held the last Sunday of September and marks the end of summer. Because of COVID, I haven't had it for a couple of years. But, as COVID lifts, it's time.  

I'm looking forward to my Summer of Fun and will report on every moment -- RIGHT HERE!

Hope yours will be fun too!

Heartbroken

The vicious murder of Aaliyah Newell has turned the lives of Alpha Kappa Alpha members upside down.  What makes it worse is that she was tied up and bound and then beaten to death.

The official cause was blunt trauma to the head.

There are so many questions unanswered. So many conclusions that can be drawn.

But no arrest nor apprehension.

The whole scenario is scary and leaves us all shaken.

Look around you. Create a plan if there is danger. Beware.

But as we reflect on the last moments of her life, all AKAs and all she touched are 

HEARTBROKEN!

Merri Dee

Legendary broadcaster Merri Dee passed in her sleep.

I was devastated when I learned the news. No. devastated is too mild a word.

It's a jumble of emotions.  I'm hurt. I feel empty.  I feel spent.

Merri Dee lit up a room with her sheer presence.

Merri Dee lit up Chicago with her philanthropy, her vitality, her smile...HER!

Merri Dee lit my heart with her humanity, her caring, her empathy.

I can't get this out of my head...out of my heart.

She gained automatic entrance to the highest tier of angels.

Goodbye Merri.

I miss my friend.

I loved her!

 

Loretta -- WHY?

So disappointed that former Attorney General Loretta Lynch is defending the NFL against the discrimination suit filed by former Miami Dolphins (now fired) coach Brian Flores.

Why couldn't she have refused?  Why couldn't she have shown solidarity?

This is such a familiar strategy where we are allowed to be used. So, the NFL is being accused of not hiring Black coaches but is hiring a Black lawyer who is willing to be used. 

This will taint her legacy and make a target of shame within the Black community.

But, she's getting paid, I assume, and that, I suppose, is the bottom line.

But, that bottom line is making her reputation hit bottom.

I Discovered -- I HAVE FRIENDS, SORORITY SISTERS AND STRANGERS WILLING TO HELP!

 I'm so used to doing tasks on my own until when someone offers to help, I usually say:  

"Oh, that's OK!  I got this." And then I struggle.

Recently while on Christmas holiday, I checked into my hotel and there was no bellman to help with my bags.  I looked at my tons of luggage and then heard a guy seated in the lobby say, "I'll help!"

I refused to go into my default statement: "Oh, that's OK!  I got this."  Instead I accepted his kindness.  I was so happy and thanked him profusely.

As a mostly solo traveler, I often need help putting my carryon in the bin and assisting in a variety of sundry ways.

But a few days ago I had surgery and I was trying to figure out how I'd manage getting to and from the Surgi-Center, picking up groceries and assisting with my first 24 hours.

My sister, who is too far away to help,  knows I'm independent but she began naming names of friends and sorority sisters admonishing me to CALL THEM! THEY LOVE YOU!

So, I made a list, which kept getting longer and longer and LONGER!

Suddenly, I had friends who spent the night while nursing me, did my shopping, brought food over, cooked and made sure I was comfortable.  One friend offered to fly in.

They lined up to help and I'm humbled and grateful.

I thanked them all profusely and to a person, they said:  THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May 2022 see the end of COVID and its multitude of variants!

I'm tired of masks!

I'm tired of social distancing!

I'm tired of carrying my Proof of Vaccination around with me!

In other words, I'm tired!

So, that is my lone wish for 2022.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!