It's interesting what you can do when you face your fears and LIVE! As I reflect on this list, (a new listing trend has emerged on FB that I will not be participating in.), I smile as I check off some of my "One day I want to items....", celebrate additional grandchildren, realize what courage has allowed me to do, etc. etc. etc.
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| Photo by: Saddi Khali Photos (https://www.facebook.com/saddikhaliphotos) |
27 things about me...
RULES: Because I use to be afraid of CHAIN LETTERS, and then once I conquered that fear it turned to irritation, I will be fine if you make your own rules or don't respond. Because my sista, Kelli, that tagged me, is so transparent and honest I will share about me. Now, some may not respond, and that is cool cause' our love and admiration for each other is so much deeper than this list.
These were the rules issued to me: Once you've been tagged, you have to write a note with 27 random things...shortcomings, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end choose 27 people to be tagged... You have to tag the person who tagged you.
1. From 6th grade until eighth grade I hid in the back of the class so no one could see who or what the new kid with the weird name and unpermed hair looked like. I so wished my name was Pam or Peaches. See, I moved from the north to the south...from an African Free School environment to a predominately European Southern (Baptist) public school environment. Today, I am so proud to be Ohenewaa and happy to be nappy. Talk about growth....
2. I grew up in a family full of community organizers during a time of racial unrest and loved every minute of it for the most part. But trust it came with its cons to my youth and innocence (sp). But now I realize it was all so Necessary for who I am today.
3. I remember our house being raided by the Philadelphia Police Department for almost a year when I was around 7 or 8 years old. Even at that age, I understood police brutality and racism (thanks to my great Nidhamu Sasa Education). The cops in their Frank Rizzo Patent Leather Uniforms claimed they were looking for criminals who escaped from somewhere, etc.... Dang, I didn't realize criminals could fit in my parents' nightstand drawer. Imagine guns in your bedroom door at 4 in the AM as a child. Talk about NWA....They often took my uncles out of the house in handcuffs only to let them out at the gas station across the street. Guess they had to make the neighbors believe we were trouble makers.
4. I remember doing a women's hair (during my college days when braiding was my hustle...and don't ask cause I am any longer in that business:-), and she mentioned a family that lived on my old blocked that always caused trouble by having the police come in the middle of the night taking out criminals. Perception is a b@#$h. When I tell you, it took all of my compassion for people, and love for my freedom not to allow her braid to burn to the scalp!
5. Spending my summers in the bible belt south was fun until I realized that even my own folk hated our African Ancestry....damn what a killjoy. I was from a "progressive Philly" with an afro or cornrows on any given day but to them, it was just plain nappy hair that needed to be straightened.
6. Being a parent is hard but try doing it in the middle of your own adolescents. Talk about lessons learned. I am so grateful for the experiences, the love, parenting training from my parents (although at the time appeared crazy and harsh to me). Why did I have to tell them I was going to sit on the porch and talk to Darlene if everyone was home and the baby was sleep? I am so glad for the parents I have.
7. Forgiveness and Understanding are so necessary to grow and develop into a healthy and whole person....Every day I have to remember this cause people are going to be people. If I can accept me, then I can give them room to be them
8. My oldest daughter is my dearest friend in this world...for years it was she and me against the world. At least that's how it seemed in my still developing mind. Thanks to my village it never really was JUST SHE AND me AGAINST THE WORLD. All I had to do was open my eyes and arms to them....
9. I have three grandchildren, and one on the way....wow life is amazing.
10. One can spend so much time fearing a thing that you make it so... No more fearing teen pregnancy for me....
11. Parenting is not a job for the weary at heart...it takes courage, strength, hope, faith, love, help, NEED I GO ON! All of which I am still learning even 24 years later and my second child in tow....
12. Marriage is all of what you make it and none of what they tell you. You are either all in or not in...The wedding is just the party...I pray for my marriage daily and my husband by the minute....
13. I am also too afraid at times to share my fears, disappointments, realities, and frustrations about marriage with my sisthren....WE CAN BE SO CRITICAL OF EACH OTHER IN A NOT SO SISTERLY WAY at times. All I need from you is understanding...or a listening ear.
14. My mother always told me that everything is not for everybody....You have to know who to share what with cause when the dust clears, and you are at peace again with your mate....the WHO that you shared with may not be....
15. I've learned that when loving my mate is hard then loving my mate is necessary....
16. My sisthren are the very core of me....I never stop loving who I am so I am so loving who they/we are....Even in our flaws we are amazing
17. When I finally maximize my potential my soul will open up.....SO WHAT AM I AFRAID OF?
18. That damn statistics class probably.....
19. and rejection....
20. My "little" sister challenges me to be me...at all times. THANKS NEF
21. I want to take the risk and really launch my consulting firm to its full potential....there goes that damn FEAR again...
22. I love teaching....for me it is like I am working in a garden with fresh soil, seeds, and water....GROW BABY GROWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
23. I remember when I thought 40 was old....NOW 40 IS FABULOUS see for yourself just look at me
24. My grandmother Rosa left a legacy for our family ....her prayer life was a testament to us all.
25. My relationship with God is one that I am developing...no more crutches
26. Losing my parents scares me....but I am learning to appreciate what it really means to make transition
27. I love hard...cry easily...hurt deeply...and wouldn't change a thing
These were the rules issued to me: Once you've been tagged, you have to write a note with 27 random things...shortcomings, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end choose 27 people to be tagged... You have to tag the person who tagged you.
1. From 6th grade until eighth grade I hid in the back of the class so no one could see who or what the new kid with the weird name and unpermed hair looked like. I so wished my name was Pam or Peaches. See, I moved from the north to the south...from an African Free School environment to a predominately European Southern (Baptist) public school environment. Today, I am so proud to be Ohenewaa and happy to be nappy. Talk about growth....
2. I grew up in a family full of community organizers during a time of racial unrest and loved every minute of it for the most part. But trust it came with its cons to my youth and innocence (sp). But now I realize it was all so Necessary for who I am today.
3. I remember our house being raided by the Philadelphia Police Department for almost a year when I was around 7 or 8 years old. Even at that age, I understood police brutality and racism (thanks to my great Nidhamu Sasa Education). The cops in their Frank Rizzo Patent Leather Uniforms claimed they were looking for criminals who escaped from somewhere, etc.... Dang, I didn't realize criminals could fit in my parents' nightstand drawer. Imagine guns in your bedroom door at 4 in the AM as a child. Talk about NWA....They often took my uncles out of the house in handcuffs only to let them out at the gas station across the street. Guess they had to make the neighbors believe we were trouble makers.
4. I remember doing a women's hair (during my college days when braiding was my hustle...and don't ask cause I am any longer in that business:-), and she mentioned a family that lived on my old blocked that always caused trouble by having the police come in the middle of the night taking out criminals. Perception is a b@#$h. When I tell you, it took all of my compassion for people, and love for my freedom not to allow her braid to burn to the scalp!
5. Spending my summers in the bible belt south was fun until I realized that even my own folk hated our African Ancestry....damn what a killjoy. I was from a "progressive Philly" with an afro or cornrows on any given day but to them, it was just plain nappy hair that needed to be straightened.
6. Being a parent is hard but try doing it in the middle of your own adolescents. Talk about lessons learned. I am so grateful for the experiences, the love, parenting training from my parents (although at the time appeared crazy and harsh to me). Why did I have to tell them I was going to sit on the porch and talk to Darlene if everyone was home and the baby was sleep? I am so glad for the parents I have.
7. Forgiveness and Understanding are so necessary to grow and develop into a healthy and whole person....Every day I have to remember this cause people are going to be people. If I can accept me, then I can give them room to be them
8. My oldest daughter is my dearest friend in this world...for years it was she and me against the world. At least that's how it seemed in my still developing mind. Thanks to my village it never really was JUST SHE AND me AGAINST THE WORLD. All I had to do was open my eyes and arms to them....
9. I have three grandchildren, and one on the way....wow life is amazing.
10. One can spend so much time fearing a thing that you make it so... No more fearing teen pregnancy for me....
11. Parenting is not a job for the weary at heart...it takes courage, strength, hope, faith, love, help, NEED I GO ON! All of which I am still learning even 24 years later and my second child in tow....
12. Marriage is all of what you make it and none of what they tell you. You are either all in or not in...The wedding is just the party...I pray for my marriage daily and my husband by the minute....
13. I am also too afraid at times to share my fears, disappointments, realities, and frustrations about marriage with my sisthren....WE CAN BE SO CRITICAL OF EACH OTHER IN A NOT SO SISTERLY WAY at times. All I need from you is understanding...or a listening ear.
14. My mother always told me that everything is not for everybody....You have to know who to share what with cause when the dust clears, and you are at peace again with your mate....the WHO that you shared with may not be....
15. I've learned that when loving my mate is hard then loving my mate is necessary....
16. My sisthren are the very core of me....I never stop loving who I am so I am so loving who they/we are....Even in our flaws we are amazing
17. When I finally maximize my potential my soul will open up.....SO WHAT AM I AFRAID OF?
18. That damn statistics class probably.....
19. and rejection....
20. My "little" sister challenges me to be me...at all times. THANKS NEF
21. I want to take the risk and really launch my consulting firm to its full potential....there goes that damn FEAR again...
22. I love teaching....for me it is like I am working in a garden with fresh soil, seeds, and water....GROW BABY GROWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
23. I remember when I thought 40 was old....NOW 40 IS FABULOUS see for yourself just look at me
24. My grandmother Rosa left a legacy for our family ....her prayer life was a testament to us all.
25. My relationship with God is one that I am developing...no more crutches
26. Losing my parents scares me....but I am learning to appreciate what it really means to make transition
27. I love hard...cry easily...hurt deeply...and wouldn't change a thing
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