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A Sister’s Love and My Mom

Sisters, women are the keeping source of families. Recently, I recovered a letter my eldest Auntie wrote to her sister, my mother. My Auntie is 88 years old, will be 89 in a week.

“Both within the family and without, our sisters hold up our mirrors: our images of who we are and of who we can dare to be.” -Elizabeth Fishel 

My mother transitioned a few years back at the age of 76. May is a difficult month for me. Her birthday is May 8th and then there is the celebration of Mother’s Day. All my life Mother’s Day was spent with her. Even though I am a mother, there is always a major part of me missing on Mother’s Day. Grief does not get easier. I am learning that time, memories and the foundation of our roots, how one is taught moves the missing to the good memories, to the best of what love offers.

This letter brought tears, happy tears and I paused. I smiled. At times, I do not believe we realize the major pieces we give ourselves to others. The two were inseparable. My mother was quite the humblest person I ever met. Their love for each other is rare and so traditional.  I believe my sister Keyna put a presentation of letters written together by her children, friends and families for one of Momma’s many birthdays.

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These two were always stylish, always supportive of everyone and loved their communities. Our family bonds are important, worth keeping together. How we live is important. It is thirteen siblings on my mother’s side –we are huge! I have three sisters and three brothers. As you read this, I hope you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.

Daddy and Momma
Daddy and Momma married August 8, 1959

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This post was submitted by Michelle. Michelle recently graduated with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is the mother of four and Umi to Dawn Michele. You can follow, like, comment on her blog: amichelleexperience.me

Instagram: michelle_intimatelywrded and Twitter: @IntimatelyWrded

 

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Flash Back Friday – 05.04.18

Hey Everyone,

I’m doing a flash back Friday to last Sunday when I gave Munch his 10th birthday party. He had a great time and I’m in awe and blessed over the friends and family we have. His cake was amazing and they took real good care of us at Dave & Buster’s.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes on social media and here on my page. He read every comment and relished the accolades. The cutest thing was that he asked my godson is it cool being in the double digits. He told him “Yeah.” LOL. Welcome to the Big 10!

 

Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/mskeeinmd/.

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Welcome to March

It’s the first day of March. It’s the last month of the first quarter of 2018. How are you love? How are your goals coming along? Are you reaching them? Are you rewriting or drafting new ones? It’s never too late to start.

Goals are never ending. Whether they be personal or professional, you should get in the habit of setting some. It could be as simple as trying out that new Thai restaurant in your neighborhood. Do something that makes you happy.

My goals are pretty simple. I have to get to work on planning Munch’s 10th birthday. My young man is about to be in double digits and I’m having an anxiety attack because he’s growing too fast. I just want to remember every inch of his face for as long as I live. So, my goals for this month are about plan, execute and remember.

-Book the place for Munch’s party

-Attend my nephew’s 4th birthday party

-Order the cake for Munch’s party

-Order the decorations for Munch’s party

-Plan the birthday party menu

-Attend my sorority’s paint night event

-Attend my sorority’s recognition dinner

-Take more pictures of Munch and I

-Teach Munch how to journal

-Reserve Munch’s spot in summer camp

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What are your goals for this month? Anything special happening? Let me know in the comments.

 

Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/mskeeinmd/.

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43 Life Lessons

Today is my birthday. My 43rd to be exact. I’m ecstatic. I’ve lived to see another year. I’m so blessed. Life hasn’t always been easy, but I’m a firm believer that there is a lesson in the midst of chaos. I’ve learned a lot over the years. So, I want to share with you the 43 life lessons that I’ve learned along the way:

  1. Life isn’t fair.
  2. Show up and show out.
  3. Be intentional.
  4. Love like there’s no tomorrow.
  5. Forgive yourself.
  6. Forgive others.
  7. Love yourself truly, madly and deeply.
  8. Believe.
  9. Have hope.
  10. Have faith.
  11. Make better choices.
  12. Leave if you want too.
  13. Leave if you need too.
  14. Choose you.
  15. Choose happiness.
  16. Release negative people.
  17. Release negative thoughts.
  18. Trust again.
  19. Get therapy.
  20. Set goals.
  21. Achieve your goals.
  22. Meditate.
  23. Protect your brand/name.
  24. Love again.
  25. Tell people you love them.
  26. Own your truth.
  27. Travel.
  28. Drink wine.
  29. Love what you do.
  30. Journal.
  31. Be willing to change.
  32. Pray.
  33. Take plenty of pictures.
  34. Smile often.
  35. Get a yearly check-up.
  36. Exercise occasionally. LOL.
  37. Drink water.
  38. Do what you love.
  39. Find your purpose.
  40. Write your own rules.
  41. Re-write your rules if you feel like it.
  42. Give freely.
  43. Dream often and in color.

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Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/mskeeinmd/.

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Day 2: My Niece

I had to send a special thankfulness post to my beautiful niece. In this #23DaysofThankfulness post, I wanted to highlight this amazing young lady that I’ve been blessed to know, love and watch grow into the great woman that she is today. My niece is a sophomore in college and is a cheerleader for her school. What makes her so amazing? Her fighting spirit.

See, my niece is 19 today. Happy Birthday Princess! Auntie loves you more than you could ever imagine.

Nineteen years ago today, I was blessed to witness the birth of my first niece. It was an epic experience as that was the first time ever that I had witnessed a live birth and just being there with my sister and her husband watching life come into this world overwhelmed me with such joy. She was a preemie. She was born eight weeks early. We were so worried, but the doctors told us that her weight being 5 pounds even was a great sign.

She was in NICU and her dad and I went to visit her. She was so tiny and beautiful. I put my hand through the holes in her glass incubator and rubbed her chest as she screamed, crying and oblivious to the world around her. I said “Princess, don’t cry. Your daddy is right here with me.” No lie, she stopped crying, opened her eyes and looked right at her dad. He started crying like a baby.

A fighter was born.

And just like those many years ago that she was fighting for stronger lungs and a low birth weight, she’s continued to make us proud. In everything she does. It was at the age of 16 that my princess suffered a mental break down. I watched this strong and vibrant girl crumble from the things in her mind. I loved harder.

I admired my sister for her continued strength to love and encourage her daughter as well as mother her other two children while being a full-time working wife. Can you imagine having to do all that? I was thankful for it all. My niece brought mental health closer to home for us. She helped us understand her needs. She grew super close to my mom and we just loved each other more.

Throughout her mental health struggles we learned to love and learn how we can help. We encourage each other. We encourage her. We are thankful for the opportunities that her school provides with free therapy and her own room. What a blessing! So, my day two of my #23DaysofThankfulness is for my niece. Thank you for making me love a little harder, learn more about mental health and just living this beautiful life. You are loved and appreciated more than you know.

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Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/mskeeinmd/.

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This Moment In Time

Today is a very special day. It’s the day that we honor and celebrate a great man. My man. My love. My heart.

One of the things that I’m open about is that on this journey in finding love I stumbled. I took the roads that were meant for others and I settled by the side of the road with some people that I shouldn’t have. It was all part of my journey.

But, I got up. I kept moving forward. I kept believing that God had heard my plea for him to send me a man that would love my son and I as though we were flesh of his flesh. A man that would support and encourage my dreams and believe in me. A man that could support me in raising my son.

He did hear my plea.

It was 23 months ago that he sent me a wonderful man that grew on me. He stayed around and endured my inquisition. He stayed around and respected my values. He stayed around and loved me where I stood. He didn’t try to change me. He didn’t try to make me into something that I’m not. He just loved me.

Do you know how amazing that is?

He’s not perfect and neither am I.  But, we’re grown. We continually work at our relationship and on our communication. When I pour out my heart and let him know how I’m feeling, he listens. He takes it in and he works on things. He works with me.

So, I know that I’m gushing, but this man is amazing and I want to thank God for him. It was 44 years ago today that God created him to go through life’s challenges and storms because He was preparing him. God was preparing him for me. I’m thankful for that preparation and I’m thankful that God loved me enough to send him in my life.

Happy Birthday to my Mr. C! I can’t wait to celebrate and honor him for being the wonderful friend and man that he is. If I died tomorrow, I would be okay knowing that I found love. This moment in time is more than I could have ever imagined.

In this space, I am loved. Infinitely more each day than yesterday. I will honor and speak vision into the life of this great man that God has gifted me with. I pray that this year will be better for him than the last and that everything that he works for will come to fruition. I pray that God gives him guidance and strength to continue to be the awesome son, father and boyfriend that he is.

I pray that he will always know that he is loved.

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Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/mskeeinmd/.

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Happy 9th Birthday Munch

It was 9 years ago today at 11:34 a.m. that I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces and I loved him more than I ever thought possible. I cried tears of joy when I heard him cry for the first time. I made his dad leave me and stay with him. I didn’t want him out of our sight. He was so tiny that I was worried that he would always be small. I was told that he was the perfect weight for a preemie.

I relaxed. I touched his hands. His face. His feet. I was in awe of this beautiful bundle of joy. Two eyes. Two ears. Ten fingers. Ten toes. I counted everything. I studied this little person vowing that I would never let anything happen to him. That I would fiercely protect his spirit and teach him to serve others.

With each passing year it becomes harder to watch him grow up and navigate his own life. I still want that chubby little boy that loved his bottle and binky. That little boy that looked at everything with an inquisitive yet unconcerned stare. This almost pre-teen is my greatest joy and gift.

So, today I celebrate God’s greatest gift to me. I want to let him know…

You are loved more than you could ever know. I wish you nothing but joy and happiness and laughter. I wish you peace and understanding that life sometimes brings challenges and changes, but you will get through it. I wish you lots of hugs and kisses in knowing that there is nothing in this world that could make me happier than being your mommy.

Happy Birthday Munch!

 

Want to keep in touch? You can find me on social media at the following links: Twitter @mskeeinmd, Facebook page A Thomas Point of View and my Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/mskeeinmd/.

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It’s My Birthday

Today is my birthday. I’m 42. I’m going to work. I’m not taking off. I’m not ashamed of growing older. I just keep laughing and wondering where the time went. I used to be afraid of watching the year turn, but no more.

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Growing old is an honor. One that I intend to embrace. I’ve gotten healthier and I’m happier. I went to the doctors a couple of weeks ago and all my labs look great. I had even lost 10 pounds since I last saw him. I still have weight that I want to lose, but I was inspired by the scale since I started reading labels and watching my carbs.

What is my wish? That 2017 be amazing!

That’s it.

I’ve come along way and I have many miles to go. I will keep learning and keep growing. I will keep writing. 42 is just a number and you know what? I’m happy to have made it.

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Munch Madness

Hey Loves,

As promised here are some photos from Munch’s party on the 30th of April. Munch turned 8 and I have to tell you that it has been interesting. Already. I keep looking at this boy wondering why he’s growing up so fast and trying to make sure that I am not going to lose my mind because of some of the slick stuff he says out of his mouth.

I hope this smart mouthed response phase passes soon or I will be writing about the son who used to live with me. The child formerly called Munch. The boy I birthed and sold to the circus because he lost his dang mind. LOL.

But, it was a beautiful time. He hadn’t had a birthday party in 3 years. I wanted to throw him a party to just honor the boy he’s become. The boy who endured so much when his parents first split up. The boy who is adjusting to the custody schedule. The boy who makes me laugh when I don’t feel like it or gives me kisses to make me feel better.

That kid. That was the one that I wanted to throw a party for. To show him that he is loved, appreciated and wanted more than anything in this world. I wanted him to know that he will always and forever be loved, wanted and blessed.

However, trying to organize a birthday party and a move within a week of each other was rough. I thank God for my friends. My best friend Nikki did a lot with my move and then came through with the birthday party stuff the following week. She was picking up the balloons and setting up the place for me.

Why? Because I was a wreck. I hadn’t even ordered the food. I damaged the cake while I was transporting it. I was at the store the day of the party picking up a veggie platter, fruit platter, sodas, water and juice boxes. My trunk still had stuff from the move and I was picking up kids for the party. Yep, it was that kind of day.

My girlfriend Sherie came in and helped Nikki set-up. Oh and Rachel and Christine and all the wonderful mothers who came in and just did stuff. Do you know that I am thankful for each and every one of them? There were many other parents who offered to help but the other ladies were handling it and I was so overwhelmed with gratitude I just asked them to enjoy the festivities.

When it was over we had to be out of the room at the exact time or they would have charged me extra. The kids could still swim until the pool closed, but we had to be out of the party room. We had 15 minutes. Can you say rushed?

These parents stacked up chairs, folded tables, removed decorations, dumped trash and swept the floor that I couldn’t do or say anything other than thank you. I’m still saying thank you. I told you before that God has blessed me and my son with some wonderful friends and family who just come in and do stuff. We are ever grateful.

Oh and before you ask…Yes, my son’s father was invited. So, was his family. They all came. They had a good time and my son was happy. That was the most important thing. He was happy.

We may be getting good at this co-parenting thing after all. LOL. Pray for us.

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What’s New?

Hey Folks!

I’ve missed ya’ll so much. It has been so busy these last couple of weeks that I feel a major rest coming on. But, I wanted to let you know some things:

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week and I read about it on Sunday night. So, you know I haven’t done anything right? Don’t fret loves. I’m not going to forget my Munch’s teachers. I never do. We have a wonderful PTSA who gives you a suggestion of what you should do for your teachers each week:

Teacher Appreciation Week – Day-by-Day

Day Teacher Appreciation Example
Monday Fruit Day

 

Bring your teacher a piece of fruit and give them a healthy day!

 ·         Apple

·         Oranges

·         Bananas

·         Pears
Tuesday

NATIONAL
TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY

 Say “Thank You” Day

 

Students and Parents can write “Thank You” notes to the teachers

 ·         Thank You Card

·         Gift Card with a Thank You

·         Thank You Balloon
Wednesday Teacher Supply Day

 

Deliver a  needed school supply to the class

 ·         Pack of Paper

·         Dry Erase Markers

·         Sticky Notes
Thursday Teachers Luncheon  / Kids Bring Dessert

 

The teachers will receive a delicious lunch from the PTSA!

 ·         Individual Size

·         Cookies, Cake, Pie
Friday

 

 Teacher’s Candy Day

 

Bring your Teacher’s Favorite Candy

 ·         Snickers

·

Handy huh? So, Munch will still do it but at the end of the week because I am so last minute with everything. I love and value his teachers so this is a pretty reasonable list. Good news though, we finally figured out what we’re going to give. Munch and I decided that we would buy an electric pencil sharpener with some pencils and some fruit and candy on Friday.

I’m overwhelmed. How overwhelmed? I’m still living in boxes. Slowly unpacking and trying to get organized. I was exhausted last week with cleaning my old spot and Munch’s party that I think I unpacked a cumulative of 2 boxes. Two. Out of 20 remaining.

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Munch’s birthday was last Saturday with a party honoring his 8 years on this earth. He’s hilarious. He woke up saying…

Munch:  Umm, excuse me Mommy?

Me: Yes, love.

Munch:  Today’s my birthday and you didn’t say Happy Birthday.

Me: Dude, you just woke up. Give me a second.

I screamed “Happy Birthday Baby!” and provided lots of hugs, kisses and giggles.

We had a busy day on Saturday with his 9 am swim test for Level 3. He didn’t pass. He cried. He also said he needed a new swim instructor and wanted me to talk to him. LOL. All the signs of an only child who is showing signs of entitlement. I politely said “No, I saw you mess up on the exam and these are important things you need so next time we’ll just try harder.” He wasn’t too happy.

We didn’t have long to reflect on it because off to the soccer field we had to go. He had a game at 10:30. He was in a melancholy mood but his spirits improved when he saw his team and rushed to the sidelines. His team won their game. They are 4-1. It was a great birthday gift.

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I wrote the letter to him  last week for his birthday and read it to him on his birthday. I asked him did he like it and he told me that he didn’t like. I laughed and said okay. You’re entitled to not like everything.

However, all this week if I’m upset about something, he’ll say “Are you mad because I didn’t like the letter you wrote?”Really Munch? This kid.

He loved the video I made for him. Check it out here: https://flipagram.com/f/oSbbC1jMeM

I didn’t take any photos of the party because I hired a photographer and was preoccupied trying to get the place set-up. Thank God for all of my phenomenal friends who came through and we’re helping to set-up and take down. More on that later. Here are some photos I did take. Check out the cake.
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Finally, we’re still going through the psychological evaluation and the doctor did the intelligence testing last night. He said that they didn’t get a chance to finish, but he’s truly impressed from what he’s seen now. He keeps telling us that our son is smarter than most kids his age and with an advanced vocabulary he’s being ostracized by other kids. I get that he’s smart, but I also know that my son doesn’t want to apply himself if he’s not interested. So, what do you do? When you have a child who is brilliant but doesn’t want to do the work? He’s bored, but we can’t all do what makes us happy can we? Ugh!

Mother’s Day is Sunday and Munch and I are taking my mom out to dinner. I’m excited. So is Munch. He likes Mother’s Day and I’m going to encourage him to make some home made love this weekend. We like homemade love.

That’s it for now folks. I’ll be back next week to my regularly scheduled program. You are all missed and I thank you for sticking with me during my hiatus. I’ve gained some new followers and met some great connections. Thank you for being you.