Letting Go

     It's always difficult to let go.  My grandmother's illness has taken a turn for the worse. Her steps are getting shorter and her breathing is becoming shallow. No matter how much medicine she takes and how many doctor's appointments she has, her body is tired.  And it is ready to stop fighting.  My grandmother is ready to go.  She now speaks of being tired, seeing her deceased husband and transcending to heaven.  She tells me to stick with your family and love each other.  There is something final in the words she speak.
      She used to talk about planting her garden for the summer.  She no longer talks about that anymore.  She also used to talk about her friends.  These days most of her friends have passed away.   She talks about how much she misses her parents and older brother. Grandma wishes she could see them once more. Hear their laughter and see them smile. Just to sit together once more and savor their company. She  remenance about their childhood and migrating from the South to the North.
     Letting go is not easy.  I want to be selfish and say, "Grandma, you said you would live to be 100. You have to stay four more years." But instead I say, "Grandma, I love you," as I give her a bath, lotion her up, shake talc powder on her back and french braid her hair. Letting go is hard to do. When you've had a constant person with you for so long.  It's OK to let go Grandma.  You've had a full life and brought joy and love to many people.  Close your eyes and let go.

Halloween is Almost Here

    It's a couple of days before Halloween and I am excited.  I really shouldn't be all that excited that should be left for the kids.  But I love to see the little kids all dressed up and running around looking for Tricks or Treats.  These days alot of parents do not allow their children to go trick or treating.  I can understand why.  The world is not as innocent for children as it used to be. You have to watch your children all the time.  So instead of going trick or treating there are different ways you can celebrate.
     Many families have chosen to take their children to the local malls to collect candy.  Usually there is some type of Halloween program in which the kids can participate.  They have costume competitions and prizes are given.  The children then go to each store to collect goodies from the vendors or retailers.  I like this venue because it gives adults an excuse to window shop or actually shop at the same time.
     An alternative to going to the mall is attending a church activity.  More churches and religious organizations are offering ways to celebrate Halloween without the secular traditions.  For example, at my church they are having a pumpkin patch picking.  A farmer is going to attend and show the children how to carve the pumpkins.  When the demonstration is over, the church will pass out treats to the kids.
     Lastly, some parents are having Halloween parties and inviting the neighborhood children over.  This give the parents an excuse to really decorate their homes and show off the creativity skills for the children in the neighborhood.  Did I say the children in the neighborhood? I really meant to say show off their talents for the adults.  No matter how you choose to celebrate or not celebrate.  It's a great excuse to get  together with families, friends and acquaintances to enjoy life, laugh and have fun.  And everyone needs a little bit of fun in  their  lives.


 

A Trip Down Memory Lane

For the past couple of days I have been spending time with my grandmother.  She is 96 years old and is experiencing Alzheimers disease.  Alzheimers disease is genetic in my maternal heredity.  Most of my grandmother's sisters and brothers developed Alzheimer's disease during their senior years.  Expect for one sister that experienced  the disease early in life.  Now when I visit my grandmother it is more of a reversal role.  My grandmother was my real parent from the time I was 12 years old until I went off to college when I was 18 years old. She did all the things that grandmothers do like teach me how to make southern dishes from scratch, sew, garden and cut the grass. She also spoiled me very much.  Hence my narcissistic personality. 
Alzheimer's is a very treacherous disease it robs people of the memories they have created over a lifetime.  It takes away your ability to recognize the most important people in your life.  And it hurts all the family members who used to be called baby, sweetheart and dear.  Those are the words that soothed you when you were feeling alone in the world, gave you comfort when you needed love that only a spouse or parent could give you.  In turn you become the comforter and solace with the person suffering from Alzheimers.

It's July in October

For the past couple of days the weather here has been incredible! It's been between 70 to 80 degrees.  I can't believe how much Chicago feels like Los Angeles.  Yes, I said Los Angeles.  We took advantage of this weather by going to the beach and watching fireworks.  That's right fireworks in October.  Maybe we'll get great weather for Christmas.  We can always dream.

It's a Hairy Situation: He Died Too Young

It's a Hairy Situation: He Died Too Young

It's a Hairy Situation: He Died Too Young

It's a Hairy Situation: He Died Too Young: "Image via Wikipedia Today a childhood friend of mine passed away. It saddened my heart. He was such a great person. He could sing, ..."

He Died Too Young

Image via Wikipedia

       Today a childhood friend of mine passed away.  It saddened my heart.  He was such a great person.  He could sing, play the piano and was a great speaker.  He truly used all of his God-given talents.  He was special like that.  I remember going to church and hearing him playing the piano and seeing him direct the choir.  He had such a great gift.  It sometimes makes you realize how precious life it.   You can be here today and gone within a blink of an eye.  Death  gives you more perspective on life.  We are always complaining about what we don't have, what we need more of, what we can do to be better.  It just seems as if nothing is never enough for anyone.  If we knew exactly when we were going to leave this Earth I imagine we would live differently.
       Many people would actually slow down and enjoy life more.  I hope they would actually take time to smell the flowers, spend more time with loved ones and friends and try to make the world a better place.  I know I would definitely do somethings that I have been putting off.  You know how you say, "I'll do it some other time.  It can wait." But should it have to wait.  We should all seize the moment and do the things and enjoy the experiences we've always promised we would to.  Because as we all know tomorrow is not promised.  Life is not measured by how long you live, but how well you live.  No one wants to die young, but if you leave this Earth living like there was no tomorrow you will not have any regrets.
         I am truly saddened by my friends death.  However, he lived doing what he loved.  He brought beauty and light into the world with his music and his songs.  He was blessing to anyone who knew him.  Phillip G. Freeman.

The Icebreaker Game for Children

     This was the first week of school for my children in Chicago.  Parents and children alike were anxious and excited about returning to school after a long summer break.  Many educators and administrators were also excited about returning back to work ,especially if you were an  employee who managed to dodge the furlough pool this time around.  The bus drivers, attend clerks, secretaries, office mangers and cafeteria workers were all in their first week new attire accompanied by polished buses, tables, chairs, hallways and whiteboards.  This week in Chicago was education at its finest.
       New students were nervous about their new surroundings and classmates.  Being a new student, my niece participated in a classroom game of "Icebreaker".  She had to tell the class some interesting facts about herself.  She said the most unusual question was her favorite item of clothing.  That made me reminisce about my favorite item of clothing.
       Now those of  you who know me might think it would be a designer item or handbag, it's not.  My favorite item of clothing was a sunny bright yellow skirt that I made in the tenth grade.  Just thinking about that skirt makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  I took a Home Economics class and one of our assignments was to make a skirt.
      I remember my grandmother taking me to the fabric store in the local mall.  I walked down aisle upon aisle of fabrics, touching and smelling the fabrics as I went along. The textures were silky, grainy, smooth and perforated.  They smelled of ink, paper, butter and bleach.  I remember going down what seemed to be the seventh aisle.  I saw this beaming bright yellow fabric shinning like the sun.  I quickly ran to the fabric, rubbed and smelled it.  It felt like  cotton balls and smelled like freshly laundered linen.  I had to get this fabric.
      I ran over to the pattern catalog and quickly picked a Butterick pattern.  For the next two days, I traced, sewed and made button holes and a zipper for the skirt.  That was my first love  with fashion.  And of course, I wore a flip hairstyle to go with it.

Why are there so many want to be Life Coaches on the Internet

What is a Empathic Revolution?  I came across a video of a woman talking about statring a "Empathic Revolution".  She basically said that Highly Sensitive people should be entrepreneurs and not work for anyone else.  That's great, especially if you have the skill and talent to do so.  However, what really surprised me the most was that she was changing $125 a session to be your Life Coach  and teach you how to live an "Empathic Life".  Weak minded people need other people to show them how to make their own path.  Go figure??

Let's get Ready for School

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Today I am going to the mall.  It's time to get Xavier prepared for school.  It's amazing what kids need these day to go back to school in style.  He's only 11, so what should he care. Actually, I want to be the one to make sure he's able to hang out with all the cool kids and get invited to all the cool parties and join all the cool sports. OK, it's time for me to get back to reality.  Xavier and I are in the mall and he wants to get some new clothes for school.

I take him to a popular chain store and he does not like any of the items in the store.  I am so upset.  How could he not like anything.  This is one of my favorite stores.  They have brand shoes, pants, shirts and jackets.  They even have the cool "Chucks" that all the kids his age are wearing.  He does not like anything.  I know this kid cannot be mine.  He must get his style genes from his dad.  We move on to the next store.  I am sure he is going to find something here.  This particuliar store has all the jeans, shirts and hoodies all the kids would ever need. 

Xavier tries on two pairs of jeans and a couple of hoodies.  He is satisfied and gives me the green light to make the purchase.  I am delighted that he has found two outfits to for his first tow days of school.  We head over to a popular shoe store to glance at some shoes.  Styles are always reoccuring.  I see boat shoes and Nikes that were all the rave when I was in high school. Xavier decides on a pair of green boat shoes.  GREEN, you have got to be kidding me.  Anyway, I purchase the shoes.  Hopefully he is going to be able to find a hoodie to match those shoes.

We leave the mall and Xavier wants to grab some pizza for lunch.  Kids are an adventure, but we all love them.  Maybe next week I will be able to persuade him to buy some dress slacks and dress shoes.  He definitely had my hair standing on end.

Sorry to Say So Long to Summer

Maybe it's just me, but summer is almost over.  It seems as if it just flew by.  I didn't get a chance to see all the places I wanted to see.  I didn't get to go all the places I wanted to go.  This just goes to show, you have to seize the day and enjoy the moments.  Although I didn't enjoy it to it's fullest, I did get a chance to go to the beach, visit Miami and have some unplanned fun.  Between baby showers, bar-b-ques, family reunions and birthday parties, I was very social.  So I must say so long summer, can't you stay a little while longer.

It's a Hairy Situation: The Gas is Rising at the Pump Again

It's a Hairy Situation: The Gas is Rising at the Pump Again

The Gas is Rising at the Pump Again

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Maybe it's just me. I filled up my tank to the jeep yesterday and noticed the cost was higher than usual.  It now cost $3.29 for a gallon of unleaded gas in the city of  Chicago.  Just when I thought driving in the city had become economical, I am thrown for a loop.  I know it''s time for me to get back on the trains and take advantage of a great public transportation system.  That way I can save money and become more open to people.  It's funny how many interesting and funny people you met when you are on a train.  If the prices continue to rise,  my hair will definitely stand in protest to the fleecing of Americans.

He's Stranded in the Loop

My nephew decided to come into the city today.  He lost track of his ticket.  Now he is stranded at he Jackson and VanBuren Southshore train station.  He called me to come and pick him up.  I just saw him this morning.  I taught him the rules of a traveler when he was 13 years old.  Always have your tripped planned.  Be prepared for change and go with the train. He's twenty years old.  He's grown.  He can make it back home.  And no I don't feel bad about it.  He's only traveling 30 miles from his home.  For this trip, I must admit, he's got my hair standing on end!!!

Angry in Arrid Arizona

Today marked a controversial decision in Arizona.  Those who entered this country illegally are in jeopardy of being rounded up and deported back to Mexico.  People of Hispanic descent are afraid in Arizona, they feel as if  they are being targeted and treated unfairly.  I am on the fence about this issue. Being someone of a minority  group, I don't support illegal immigration.  I believe all people should follow the law and become citizens legally.  If I tried to live in another country illegally,  I would not expect special treatment.  After all I would be breaking the law.  On the other hand, what is going to happen to all the children of the illegal immigrants who were born in this country?  They are citizens.  How will they be cared for if their parents are forced to go back to Mexico.  Who will care for them?  Will they end up in the child welfare system and we as citizens end up footing the bill in the end anyway.  I wonder, this is quite a query.  In the end the laws must be followed by everyone in this country.  If you break the law all people living here have consequences.  If you became a citizen you would be protected by the Bill of Rights.  Without citizenship, your rights or limited.  Actually, you don't have any rights.  But as I said before, what is going to happen to all the children of people who entered this country illegally?  Only time will tell.  My hair in Arizona is definitely going to be worn natural.  I would not want any law enforcement officer to racial profile me and mistake me for an illegal immigrant.  There is not going to be any question about my citizenship.

Back Home in Chi-Town

It's great to be back home tonight.  I love sleeping in my own bed. Miami is exoctic, but there is no place like Chicago.  Tomorrow I will rock my flat iron hairdo.  Until I jetset again to another luxury destination, I'll be normal.

Miami Heat

This past weekend my girls and I hit the beach in beautiful Miami. We had on our bikinis and flops. Sun hats, sunscreen and towels were also in tow. And what type of hair do you think I sported? Of course, I was au natural. My naturally curly locks fit in with humidity. Little did I have to worry about the sun or possible rain. Ladies, when laying on the beach go for broke. We sure did and took our chances with our hair, barely moving in the wind.