Not Quite 100

Oh, I’m far from being 100 years old.  Maybe not that far.  But my age is not part of this discussion.

- Face Book - I have not quite 100 Face Book friends.  It’s my choice.  I feel as if I know practically all of those I’m connected to and I like that.  There are many additional men and women on Face Book whom I also know personally whose names I’ve seen in FB’s ‘friend suggested’ section of my page.  Almost always I never take the bait and send them a friend request.  That is because early on I did extend the friend request and to this day, I haven't heard from a couple of them.  So I’ve become careful not to ‘reach out’ and thus invite the thought of silent rejection.

- New Author - I have a strong sense that my first book, Black Star Girl,  has been purchased by not quite 100 strangers through retail venues.  Of course I am grateful, even as I know one day the numbers sold will be in the tens of thousands.  You see, from first holding that book in my hand, I truly believed selling the first 5,000 would be a no brainer.  If you were facing me now you would see the sardonic smirk on my face as I think about the surprise it’s been, not to have that happen - yet.  One thing I learned,  in order for a first time author to sell, really sell, the author has to have a platform.  I'm working on that.  For me,  it is an exciting time of learning and doing.  I am blessed.   

  

 

- Inspiration -  In 1950 my father bought a non-working farm in northeastern Ohio.  “Not quite 100 acres", is what I’ve always said.  As a teenager, I wanted it to be 100 acres.  Saying 100 seemed grand to me.  Whereas the honest reporting of a mere 89 acres – not impressive!  

For sure, as I’ve matured, I’m prouder everyday of my dad’s accomplishment, a 48 year old black man in America, at that time, through his hard and persistent work - through his ‘out of the box’ thinking and his courage was able to purchase the 89 acre property for our family home and for future generations to enjoy.   I write about my special dad in Black Star Girl, that award-winning memoir of mine recalling life in America for our family and for me, the daughter he inspired. 

-       More Inspiration – Yesterday, I went to the monthly meeting of a local branch of a national organization.  I've participated in the group's activities for just the past year or so.  I look forward to each meeting.  There is a business portion of the meeting but I find it primarily a time for relaxed socializing.  Yesterday, the President was absent; has been absent for several meetings since last Fall.  The month prior to her first absence she was a vibrant leader, presiding with her usual grace and diligence to the business at hand.  The next month, I learned she was in the hospital, “but coming along”.  Then she went to rehabilitation, “doing well”.  Yesterday we learned she is home, but elects to step down from the office of President. She will “slow down a bit”. 

Her next birthday is a significant one.  As I write this Madam President is not quite 100 years old.  She will be 100 years old two weeks or so after year end.  We look forward to that celebration.  She inspires us.

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