Mon Fils Unique

Jonathan L. Wynn and me

My only son -

The bond between mother and son is indescribable. And coming from a family where the majority are women on my mother's side - and my first two children are girls - I was unprepared for the emotional power surge I felt when my only son was born.  He was the last one, but in no way is he the least.

Jonathan and his late father were very close; they were quite a duo. And when his sisters were off doing things with their friends, people often thought he was an only child because of the way he interacted with his father and me. He enjoyed being with the "old folks". He was easy to love as a boy. And as a man, he is still personable and kind.

Parents look to their sons to carry the family name forward. It is a thing of pride, and an honor to witness the family line growing - to be part of creating a legacy. When I think of this young man, my gift from the Lord, my heart swells with gratitude. He embodies all that was best in his father, and he bears a strong resemblance to my late father. The Lord's doing - and it is marvelous!

I embrace the bond I have with my son with full respect for his manhood and individuality.  I know the Lord is preparing him for that unique woman, the only one, for him.

Amen.

"Jon"

Psalm 119

Boaz Ministries

Psalm 119 

Recently, Mr. E and I were meditating on the 119th division of the Psalms. One of the key messages that comes through over and over, is first and foremost, the counsel, guidance, direction and precepts of God's Word must be sought with our whole hearts. Opening our minds and hearts to the statutes/teachings of the Lord, directs our steps. Trusting in the Word of God, anchors us when everything around us is unstable. We can have peace, security, assurance - and hope, because God has always come through. 

There are many popular Bible verses from Psalm 119; I will share a few more for your meditation: Ps. 119:1-3; 9; 11; 50; 103;105; 133; 165. 

The study of Psalm 119 is a complete meal, nourishing the soul, encouraging the heart, and opening the mind - the appetite - for more, and more.It's GOOD! But don't just take my word for it!

Family Time - Summertime

 Wineries, etc., Northern California, 2018

Bridges, Northern California, 2018

I'm learning how to really do work/life balance. With a retired mister who is also an entrepreneur and musician - it's an added incentive for me to carve out as much "us/me time" as I can.  And it's working.


Blessed to be able to do this because my employer is 100% in support of self care and vacation time! AND teleworking! Whether it's a "stay-cation", "mental health day", or a trip to a tropical paradise - I'm grateful to the Lord for the latitude and creativity my job affords me. 

Enjoying life!


#positiveseniority

#fitnessmatters

#sixtyplus                                                 
   

Venice Beach, SoCal, 2018

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Soundtrack of My Life

Over the past few days I’ve been on social media, reading the beautiful, moving tributes to Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, who left this earthly plane on August 16. To every post I read, all I could reply was “Amen”, or click the *heart* icon. I was speechless, and dealing with the “tender emotions” I now experience when someone dies - no matter who it is.

I chose this picture of Ms. Franklin from the thousands on the internet - because it’s from 1967, when “RESPECT” was released. That singular word informed the mind and heart of a then 11 year old Black girl in a profound, finger-snapping way, and was the sealant for what my parents had been instilling within me. My schoolmates and I could be seen on any given day strutting around the playground, reciting those lyrics, spelling it out. Singing joyfully. Proudly. Seeping into my subconscious, I was rehearsing RESPECT for myself, RESPECT for others - and as I got older, I began to understand the nuances of adult relationships Ms. Franklin was really singing about. Music lyrics teach us. And the winning blend of impeccable vocal and instrumental musicality made an indelible mark deep within my soul.

I want to thank my friends on my social media platforms for sharing their experiences, up close and personal with The Queen of Soul, and others who knew her the way I did, as the sweet, soulful LP playing over and over again throughout our lives. We LOVED Aretha. We LIVED Aretha. We love her still - and her soulful messages - THANK GOD - will fill the air forever.

Family Time, part two - July

It's been a dream of a summer! A whirlwind - and it's not over!

Cali Trip 2018

The priorities - 1. Get on the plane 2. See my mother, 3. Go to the Original Tommy's Burger  (numbers 2 and 3 were actually switched in reality. Mr. E had never had a Tommy's, so we went straight there from LAX)

Family!

Had the pleasure of catching up with my brother-in-law (my sister was at work) when we stopped by my mother's house. Then we enjoyed the rest of the evening with Mr. E's West coast family! A GREAT visit!

Just some shots of us at the airport and on the plane before departure

We were truly ready for rest and relaxation. This was a bucket list adventure for Mr. E - he had never taken the drive up the California coast - never been to San Francisco. So we started in Los Angeles and took the drive. It was awesome, because the part of Hwy 1 that had been closed for a year due to mud slides, opened up the very week we were traveling. We were able to go all the way up!

More pictures coming!

Family Time! May to July, part one

Just a pictorial of my family experiences so far this year. From my sister's "girls trip" visit, the stop over visit of my Ohioans, "Los Urias" (formerly of South Korea, formerly of Michigan and California, respectively), to the pre-wedding/bridal shower visit of #WynnBowe, aka #AWynnforDBowe, as they prepare for their November nuptials here on the East coast....  More pictures to come in part two.

Los Urias took the Amtrak to Disney World and stopped over at Union Station here in DC. My son and I enjoyed our 6-hour visit with them!

That's my baby sister bottom right. She came through on a girls trip with her besties. It was awesome to be able to join her for a few hours. We were doing church selfies...(amen, somebody!)

I hosted an East coast bridal shower while #WynnBowe were here finalizing details for their wedding. We did a cake tasting as well! It was great to have some of her bridesmaids and sisters here.  We had a wonderful time - and the food was delish! There will be a West coast bridal shower in September. I'll be sharing!











#BLESSED

R.S.V.P.

Repondez, S'il Vous Plaît , 

Fancy sounding and French, (repondez, s'il vous plaît ) for please respond to this invitation - either way. Yay or nay. Are you going to attend? What?

But it's 2018 and seems we've gotten away from the niceties and courteous behaviors - basic behaviors - of the past. 

And I long for the politeness, respectfulness and courtesy that we practiced back when I was growing up.  There would never be an unanswered R.S.V.P., and heaven forbid if a "Thank You" note wasn't sent after a gift was received!

Responding to an R.S.V.P. has gone the way of customer service. And as one wise person once told me, "Our technology, which has made so many things easier for us, has turned us into impatient, self-centered creatures."  People don't think to say "please" and "thank you" as much. We don't interact with others in conversations - we'd rather text message or email. So much is lost in the pressing of the "send" button. 

I would like a return to the days when we regarded one another with more respect - for their time, their service, their authority, seniority, experience, and plain old fashioned person-hood.  In this day of pseudo tolerance, there is more open hatred and disregard for human life than ever I've seen in my lifetime.  Because I know in Whom I believe, and that the Bible foretold of all we are experiencing now, I don't get too bent out of shape when I see the disease of hate spreading among those who have no God in them (yes, and there are those among them who think they have God in them).  I am saddened and sorry for people who have no hope; mired in confusion, deception and the divisive tricks of the enemy - and pray that somehow - LOVE - touches them in a profound way. 

In the meantime- I will keep the old ways that I was taught when growing up, and say "please" and "thank you", offer to help someone in need, bridle my tongue, send "Thank You" cards when I receive gifts, and promptly R.S.V.P. to invitations.  Someone is expecting an answer on the other end, for crying out loud!

Respectez les autres, s'il vous plaît. D'accord?!  Merci.