Quit Boy

I walked past the bedroom the other day and heard you talking on the phone. I obviously wasn't a part of the conversation but the soft sultry tone of your voice made me forget where I was going. I couldn’t wait for you to hang up. So I didn’t. “Quit boy. Girl, you know how Lance is. Well, maybe you don’t. He a mess. QUIT BOY. Girl let me call you back… tomorrow.” Even the dark can't hide your light and the beauty within. I Love you sweetheart! Glad the tomb is empty.

Being a Fixer

Most folk will probably agree that men believe we are fixers. Even my granddaughter will be quick to tell you "G-Da can fix anything." I have learned that most times I first need to listen to Janet recap her day or some random situation she has encountered. I will admit I struggle as I wait for permission to put some testosterone on it. This is where God has shown me how to be less of a fixer and more of a healer. I can’t fix every problem but I can help to heal the wound caused by it. I listen for the pain or frustration in her voice and watch her body language. I need to absorb and dilute that frustration with my strength and peace. Janet needs to feel my empathy and love. She does not need sympathy or a war cry to solve her “problem”. Believe me, this sister can wage her own wars. I married a cute (long legged) cleaver girl that has matured into a dynamically powerful, and incredibly beautiful mature woman. My role is to spread my wings of love and cover her through it all. My words of comfort and my embrace heal her mind and spirit. She is now back on track to be the woman that God has intended her to be. God has given me more power to heal than fix. I love you sweetheart! Glad the tomb is empty!

Celebrate Family

I had plans for February. I wanted to celebrate some brothers in my life. I wanted to continue my quest to show Janet how much I loved and cherished her. I wanted to solidify my friendships and stay on this creative train of reading, writing and emptying this vessel of random but connected thoughts. I committed to these things. Then God. Then God. Then God introduced me to my mortality. He asked me to minister to the families of folks He called home. He then called members of my family, Monica Wilson-Figueroa and Betty Green. I drifted from the weight of their loss. According to His purpose, their purpose on the “third rock” from the sun was completed. It is hard to deal with the physical loss, but as long as there is a story to tell about them, a moment of joy that springs from your gut when you think of them then they will never truly be gone. I want to take a moment to express my undying love for my daughters. God trusted Janet and me with them and we have kinda grown attached to them. Never let a day go by without thanking God for the blessings that He has entrusted you with. Never let a day go by without speaking the words “I love you” to them. You never know when His purpose in them will be fulfilled. So, I just want to publicly tell my daughters and my forever love how much I really love you and am so very proud of you. Glad the tomb is empty.

Be A Woman First!

When we first got married, the struggle was real. We had a new life together. We became new people to each other. We did not understand our newly discovered roles as husband and wife. That mom and dad thing had us rolling on instincts to love and protect the “cubs”. There were bare cupboards and dim lights, sometimes long walks to the bus stop when the “grey ghost” was on blocks. We marched our way through the years determined to meet needs. You made sacrifices for the cause and made choices that changed and sometimes corrected our course. You did these things without provocation from me. You are consistent in your desire to see “Peeler People” succeed. I know there is the house, job, obligations, and all things consistently vying for space in your world. In the midst of all this, I only have one need and desire and that is for you to be a woman first! Do not deny or suppress the grace and beauty personified in ways that make me blush from the inside out. I Love You,

Sweetheart! I could not find a card to speak for me. I hope this works. Happy Valentine’s Day!

“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” Song of Solomon 8:7

Just Being

We caught ourselves alone, just sitting and talking.  Not really about anything specific or world changing.  Just sitting and being.  It is the one thing I love the most about you and me. We can just be. At that moment I felt your heart beating in my chest.  I saw your hopes and dreams from years gone past.  I felt the pain of the things we never discussed.  My heart wanted to move to your chest to let you know I could make those dreams come true and dispel any pain that may try to rise. Your heart held mine close and would not let it leave.  It whispered, “baby we could just be and that is more than enough for me.”  I now catch myself alone just sitting and thinking about how much I love the women whose heart holds mine and won't let go.  She makes it so easy to be… me.  I Love You Sweetheart! Glad The Tomb Is Empty.

Response to my daughters... Though neither are married, I want them both (and any other women) to at least consider if his heart has the potential to hold their heart close against all odds. Their mind and the world may discourage that union. Can they reach out with their heart? I want my young woman to see this in me every day of my life and theirs. It is possible to love a woman beyond the bounds of this world. If you have the courage. If you hold true to this he will find you. Because his heart is looking for the same thing.

Caught Up

Brother got caught up.  My baby wasn’t feeling good but she needed\wanted to go to the store to pick up a few things for work.  I had a few things I needed to cook dinner so I said okay.  Just to set this up, my baby don’t walk out the “house looking any kinda way”, sick or not.  She was sick but cute. So, I am on one side of the store and she is on the other side.  As I made my way over to her, I caught a glimpse of her walking past the aisle I was walking down.  The hair on the back of my neck stood tall and my radar zeroed in on her destination.  I sped up my cart and watched her turn down another aisle.  I picked up her light flowing sweater as it wrapped gently around the end cap of some useless merchandise.  The Walmart hunt was officially on.  I pushed the cart hard to get out ahead of her next move.  I watched her turn the corner and stride whimsically down the aisle towards me.  She did not see me at first.  My eyes sent an “us” signal that she picked up.  It was amazing to watch her body language shift into Lance mode.  I froze as I watched her walk towards me with every stride spelling my name over and over.  I almost forgot to stop and pay on the way out.  She just “do” something to me.  I can’t really explain it but I know it when I feel it.  I love you sweetheart.  

Heels That Click

From time to time (almost every day) Janet and I talk on the phone while we are on our way to work.  My Pop suggested in 1975, “Didn’t you just see her a minute ago? What could you be talking about?” To be honest I didn’t know then and I don’t know now.  It’s just a fact I love hearing the sound of her voice, especially when she is speaking to me. This morning as usual we talked but just a little later in the drive.  She had already made it to work and I knew we would be hanging up shortly.  Then my ears heard a clicking sound. It was the sound of her heels striking the ceramic floor as she walked towards her office. With each click of her heels and the sound of her voice, the picture of her beauty and gracefulness became clearer in my mind.  Just like back in 1975, I didn’t want to hang up!  I was enjoying the view.  I love you sweetheart.  Can’t wait to get home.  Glad the tomb is empty.