Darin (1961 - 2011)

Celebrating Mother's Day - 2008

Memories flood my mind,
Take my strength.
Reliving the past,
Blocks productive energy.

Today matters.
Forward march.

I've got much to do,

And the ability to do it.

There’s reason to get it done.

Do it! 


I’m exhausted,

I feel empty,

I’m not relaxed.
I'm not at peace.           


There's a hole in my heart,
And I was only his Mother.

Mom and her teen-age son

_______________________________________

Darin had a loving wife and two young daughters.

On September 14, 2011, Sickle Cell Disease was the nemesis.

Be on the alert to do all you can to help find a cure for

Sickle Cell Disease.

What a morning;What a day!

LeBron James won his elusive championship ring.  I didn’t hear about it until this morning and I’m overwhelmed with joy.   Last night, in game 5 of the possible 7 game NBA championship series, his team, the Miami Heat won their 4^th time. It's all over.  The Miami Heat are 2011-2012 NBA Champions.  LeBron gets to put a ring on it!!!

Perhaps the only folk continuing to read this are those who do not know of LeBron James.   

You see, I've sensed most folks with any interest in basketball, those removed from the Miami Heat fan base, do not love nor even like LeBron James.  They abhor him for going to the Heat; leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers (to me, after a lifetime there – considering the physical and emotional energy involved in trying to win a championship, which he was surely fixated on). So if they have tuned me out,  I understand.

Having grown up with a sports loving father and brothers also sports enthusiasts, I have more than a modicum of admiration for almost any athletic competition, more so baseball, I'll admit.  (Read my award-winning memoir, Black Star Girl.)  Then raising my own children in more complex communities that found fewer and fewer available empty lots where baseball games could be casually played, basketball took over as the more popular ‘pick-up’ sport in our neighborhoods.  A regulation basketball goal was a popular addition to many a family's yard or driveway.  Ours was in the back yard where once in a while this mom was a serious contender with the youngsters in a foul line shooting contest or a game of H-O-R-S- E.  

Through the years, basketball lingered as a entertaining spectator sport.  I remember being glued to the TV watching, wincing, and groaning - engrossed in the heart stopping battles that involved Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls challenging the Indiana Pacers and Reggie Miller, or the Boston Celtics and Larry Bird.  After Michael Jordan's astounding reign ended, my interest waned.

Then on the scene came LeBron James, a high school phenomenon on the basketball court.  In my heart I’ve been on alert regarding LeBron James since all the media attention when he elected to leapfrog college and follow his dream to play basketball professionally.  He was wanted by the NBA and would immediately proceed to play at the highest tier in pro basketball.   I worried about ‘the kids’ decision.  I didn’t need to.  It seems he has maintained quality life-choice standards; work ethic; personal qualities and healthy devotion to the career he was gifted to follow.

Many high school graduates go off to college, and fail to exhibit the maturity necessary to grow responsibly and focus on goals. Too many times those young adults, freshly independent, are side tracked and get on a path that keeps them from being what they wanted to be and could be.  High school graduate LeBron James went off to the NBA festooned with all the bells and whistles of iconic stardom.  It could all have been a major hindrance.  It wasn't.  He has done what it takes - not been distracted from reaching his goal, these nine years since. 

Not only has LeBron James’ life choices given him the equivalent of a 4-year College degree and a Master’s Degree, but now, I think, he has received his PhD. 

This grandmother celebrates ‘the kid’ who knew what he wanted and worked toward achieving - with diligence.  This morning I celebrated ‘the man’ by watching emotional and enjoyable discussions on ESPN’s television shows.  Later I prepared a celebratory dinner of mixed green salad and barbecued baby-back ribs.  

Yes, it has been a deliciously good day for mind and body. 

Soothing

Pugslee patiently tolerating the annual birthday photo shoot - his 11th.    

Today’s posting - a poem I wrote in Eve’s Poetry Class on January 13, 2009.

-  Untitled  -

Never heard ice melt,

Until I retired.

Never heard leaves fall.

Until I retired.

Never absorbed either,

Until the patience

Of Pugslee

Resided in me.

                          *   *   *   *   *   *                            

These many years later, stumbling upon the results of my elementary attempt at the craft, I find solace.

I love ‘trying’ to write.  Is there anything you’ve discovered rewards your soul when you give attention toward its creation?  If so, I think you should get with it!   


Be good to you.

An Amazing Breakfast

Freshly made fruit juice - apple, strawberry, pear, and blueberry

Salmon Steak gently sautéed in canola oil  

12 Grain Whole Wheat Toast, lightly buttered

Mug of hot coffee

This delicious breakfast menu, surely unique for me, kicked off my beautiful first morning in June.  In retrospect, for sure, it happened due to the previous day’s perseverance; truthfully though, I wasn't about to be dissuaded from my goal. 

These past weeks I have loved using my Breville Juicer (a Mother’s Day gift from my daughter), to the extent my refrigerator was bare, almost – nothing to juice.  A fruit and vegetable-shopping excursion was mandatory. Early in the afternoon, with long list in hand, off I headed to Whole Foods – not the store nearby – but I knew where I was going, the much larger one several towns away.

I got lost.   Creatively I had taken a left turn onto a strange roadway, certain it would get me to my destination quicker than the way I was going.  It didn’t.  Where was I in proximity to where I wanted to be?

Mesmerized by the balmy weather, thought provoking news on the radio (the John Edwards' trial verdict was expected, "any minute"),  and the calm of the beautiful small towns with colorful landscaping and manicured lawns, I cruised about confident I would eventually make the ‘right move’ and soon be parking at Whole Foods.  Not so.  Finally I questioned a teenager, in his car alongside me at a stoplight.  “A right at the next light, and the next two, and then a left.  Keep going and you’ll be there.”   

Well, I wasn’t -- so with a smile I yelled to the crossing guard relaxing in her carry-along chair on the lush green grass under a leafy shade tree.  “Trying to get to Whole Foods!”  After her litany of rights and lefts, she added . . . “you’ll see it soon, on your right!”    I was amazed with that information.  I was only a few blocks from their quaint downtown shopping area.  But I followed her directions, and there it was, Whole Foods.  It wasn’t the large one I wanted but having circled and re-circled through two suburban towns, I accepted my fate.  I gave up.  There I bought several of the fruit items on my list and the wonderful salmon steak.

The prices, I’m sure, reflected the exclusivity of that establishment.  At least I thought so, thus decided to purchase the remainder of my long list at the Farmer’s Market nearer to my home - save myself some money. 

As I placed the shopping bags in my vehicle, it struck me.  I wasn’t sure where home was.  After all I had driven around in a number of wide circles for . . . well, a long time.  Then I  remembered the GPS, a gift several years ago from my son.  It was stored in my console.  Out it came and my home address was plugged in as the destination.  When the GPS screen showed home was a mere 19 minutes away, I wouldn’t believe it.  As I followed the automated lady’s instructions I was thinking I must not trust her because surely home was not that close.  It was.  I love my GPS.

I also loved my breakfast this morning.  Thank you Whole Foods.

Not Just Engines Idle

In many ways the quality of a day is up to us.  Blue skies can be easily ruined.  Unhappiness robs a person of precious time. This story is about a woman who struggled to realize personally satisfying moments.  She would find herself emotionally depressed.

Maggie bounced out of bed.  The morning looked like it was going to be a gray day but she was ready to sparkle!  She had to. 

Yet there she was, still in her bedroom, sitting on the edge of a fashionably comfortable chaise lounge, perched . . . not at all relaxed.  Morose was a fitting connotation for her attitude and her state of mind.

Absently contemplating the vibrant but inane conversation of morning television, she was detached from her world - idling.  An engine idling is wasted energy, not good for the environment.  Her idling was no different.

Yesterday she couldn’t get a move on.  It was hot and muggy.  Actually, for a May day, it was sweltering.  She was uncomfortable but stubbornly determined not to activate her wonderful air conditioning until June, summer's first month.  Bedtime came.  To Maggie it seemed nothing of value had happened.  Today must be different - one of accomplishment. 

As much as she dreaded thunder and lightening interrupting her sleep, overnight storms had thankfully brought a different day. She had wakened to a rain free morning.  And even though overcast skies hid the sun, there was promise of a pleasant day.  The attic fan pulled fresh cool air through wide-opened windows.  It was lovely.  Maggie was totally energized. Lethargy would not rule.

This great day she would be active indoors, as well as get out and about to make stuff happen.  Among the usual personal and home management chores she would grocery shop, invest some effort toward reorganizing her home, make a friendly phone call or two and arrange to drop by and visit someone whose friendship she cherished.  And, she would write.  It was important for Maggie to write.  She appreciated the challenge; loved creating results that pleased her.   Happiness was hers to have with all the right moves.

When I left my friend she was making a To Do List that included important tasks, fun activities, and vital relaxation.

If Maggie keeps it up, I think her depressing idle moments will be at a minimum. Yes!

Remembering

My brother-in-law, a US Marine veteran helping hold the unfurled 100 ft U.S. Flag during Memorial Day activities on the Flight Deck of the Intrepid, New York City in 2001.

Today it is Memorial Day 2012 in The USA.  My heart overflows; my eyes fill with tears.  Grateful thoughts of the Service Men and Women who sacrificed to keep America free are overwhelming.  We are a nation that must forever pass on to the young, the enormity of what was accomplished by those who have gone before us.

For me, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam Conflict, wars fought during my lifetime easily come to mind along with World War I and, of course, recent engagements - Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  

Other conflicts in current times have caused our military personnel to sacrifice life, limb, and family as well as changed ambitions and dreams for them and those who rely on them.  Kosovo, Grenada, Panama, Haiti, Bosnia, Lebanon all come to mind.  Our brave men and women answer the call wherever this country of ours needs them.  I pray for their well-being; grieve their sacrifice.  May they and their loved ones know I am thankful. 

America is free because of the brave.  Pass it on.

Active military and veterans rolling up the U.S. Flag after the Memorial Day program in 2001.

God Bless America

To Encourage Letter Writing

Dear Myrna,

How are you today?  Sorry I haven’t written lately.  They say we don’t write letters like we used to.  For sure, I’m proof of that.  You’ve been on my mind and with this letter I’m going to change – be in touch more often.  I do hope you and your family are fine.

I’ve been well.  I just don’t get out as much as I used to but I enjoy home and good health.  Perhaps I should admit I enjoy home because of my laptop computer.  With it I am connected to the world, any part of the world I develop an interest in. 

Thank God for the Internet.  It is informative, interesting, fun and stimulating.  I wish you were connected.  We could have conversations.   We could email each other.  You could be one of my Facebook Friends and we could follow each other on Twitter, too.

I so wanted to buy Facebook shares last Friday.  If it had been possible, today I would have 10 shares purchased at the price on the date of the IPO.  And, I would not be disappointed even should I have been one of the many who paid more than forty dollars a share, a rate to date not seen again.  Yes, I am optimistic and anticipate becoming one of the owners of Facebook.

My grandchildren inspire me to look forward and appreciate the value of communication technology and social media.  (They wish I had an IPhone.  I assure them I can take pictures and text just fine on the cell phone I’ve used the last three years.)  Even though I worry about the tempting distractions my grandchildren face as their reputations are built by their actions, I am quite proud of them.   

Please think about coming for a visit.  For all my talk about staying home -- on the computer, I am not a hermit.  We’ll catch a Broadway Show, shop, and relax over good food in the fabulous restaurants out here.  What fun to see you again!  Let’s make it happen.

For sure, I look forward to hearing from you.  Please write.  I’m thinking my mail carrier would appreciate climbing the steps to deliver other than advertisements.

Your loving friend,