Moments

It only takes a moment to make a decision that can affect the rest of your life. This is a scary thought, but if one has parents and other adult role models who have been a positive influence, then making the right decision is not so hard. My own experiences have taught me that I always know when I am about to make a life changing decision. It is like an internal voice starts talking to me. And even if I want to lie to myself and pretend that it's okay to make the wrong decision I just can't. And years later I say WHEW! I bet Rosa Parks heard this inner voice when she refused to give up her seat on the bus. And she changed history and became a shero for all times. I also bet De'Kelvin Martin heard this voice and ignored it. And he changed history in a negative way for three beautiful people. We all should cherish our "moments" more than we do. They are truly life changing.

Can't we all just get along?

If anyone needed an object lesson to answer the question of whether there is a Higher Power then the recent Tsunami should answer that question. Over 100,000 people killed instantly. One minute you're having fun in the sun and the next minute you're gone. Poof! More than twice the number of people died in this one catastrophic event than all the U. S. soldiers killed in the Vietnam War. There are no words to describe my utter shock and horror. We had all better learn to get along because our power is insignificant when compared to HIS power. It all starts with respecting each other, and there is no better way to do that than to learn about what a great people we ALL are. Everyday in 2005 I am going to share some information about the greatness of an otherwise overlooked population. The group for today is African American Women Writers .

Cats and Dogs

As 2004 speedily comes to an end, I can think of no better concept to write about than perceived differences. Whenever I think of differences I am always reminded of my beloved dog Alphonso. Alphonso lived to be an old man in dog years and when he was middle aged he formed a very unique friendship with a kitten whose mama did not stick around long enough to teach him the difference between a cat and a dog. The kitten just appeared one morning near Alphonso's food dish and before I could stop him from being mauled by Alphonso he began eating out of the dish. And Alphonso just watched. After he had eaten his fill he did not go away. He laid down next to Alphonso and they went to sleep. Over the next three or four weeks he became Alphonso's constant companion and he was always around. They played together and ate together and Alphonso curled up in a circle and the cat slept in the circle he had created. Just when I thought Alphonso had found a lifelong friend, he began barking at the kitten. Not loudly, but definitely bordering on unfriendly. The kitten stuck around for a couple of days to see whether this was Alphonso's final answer, and when he smartly decided that it was he just disappeared. We never saw the kitten again. Life went on and Alphonso once again ruled the front yard. I suppose there is a moral to this story and sometimes I think I know what it is. There are other times when the moral seems to sadly mirror the differences that we humans have created. At those times I wonder whether we will ever answer Rodney King's plea in the affirmative.


Happy New Year!