A TRUE LOVE STORY NEVER TOLD!!!!!

It's been awhile since my last posting.  I'm sure you are all aware of the little thing that intrudes from time to time called life.  I have made it my personal goal to use this blog to encourage people to rekindle their dreams and goals and set out to accomplish them no matter what age, time or station in life you currently hold.  Well this my friends is a Special Posting.  Today while riding home with my Mom from the hospital.  I heard one of the most beautiful love stories never told.  She recanted how she and my dad first met some 50 years ago on a cold February day thanks to a cousin of my dad's.  Now I was well aware of their anniversary, but the story she told was of the very first time they met.  She told that story with some much love and pride as if it had taken place just yesterday.  We were returning from the hospital where once again Dad needed to be admitted.  Once again we quitely, secretly prayed that he would get through this as he has previously.  I have read story upon story about the plight of black marriages and relationships. Or the beauty of Black love as if only desplayed by our illustrious President and First Lady.  Don't get me wrong I love the President and First Lady and I adore seeing the love and strength they display.  But I have had the previledge of seeing, knowing and experiencing the true beauty of unconditional love EACH and EVERY time I see my Mom and Dad sharing breakfast together, or enjoying a sitcom together sitting on the sofa watching the Big screen TV.  Growing up we knew with a certainty if Mama knows then Daddy knows and vice versa because that's the kind of connection they had and there were no secrets between them.  I remember many days of waking up, walking in the kitchen to see them quitely talking, sharing cups of coffee together.  As a child Mom worked during the day, and Dad worked during the night, if we needed to be picked up from school or taking to the doctor my dad was there.  If dad was home on a day off or on vacation when my arrived home dinner was done.  

Now many anniversaries, valentines day, christmases other holiday or celebration  have come and gone.  We the children are now all grown.  Their bodies have changed as well as their appearance.  What has remained is the unwaving love for each other.  I see the love and concern in Mom's eyes as she  holds dad's hands over the railing of the hospital bed.  I see and hear the love in his voice as he says thank you honey for being here.  I can spend hours upon hours encouraging people to live their best lives. Or following their most outlandish dreams and goals.  There is NOTHING that can compare to such sweet, long lasting, unconditional love.  The kind of love that makes a Man stand tall and do ANYTHING and  EVERYTHING to provide for his family. The kind of love that makes a woman to lay awake at night praying for her family.

Today while riding in the car I heard the GREASTEST Love story NEVER TOLD.  It is a story I'll always remember.

be blessed, Diva Val.

THE TIES THAT BIND US

I'm sure most of us have heard this expression before, The ties that bind us, what is it that binds us to our friends,co-workers, family etc.  I recently received word of the passing of a family memeber.  He was not a blood relative but he was family.  I started thinking about my extended family of friends.  Some I've knows for decades some in the past few years.  The word quickly spread of this dear friend and well respected Man's passing.  From reports I've received and snippits of his homegoing service I felt a sense of pride and sadness.  Sad that such a young man whom I liked and respected was gone to soon.  Sad that his family is now hurting over this loss and feeling a void in their lives. Proud however, that the extended family was out in numbers showing support.  The reason for this post is to remind us how important ties can be.  How crucial it is to have a great support system in your life.  Now a support system does not have to be limited to family, it could very well be friends, co-workers, teachers, church memebers etc. Oprah once shared how much a teacher touched her life and encouraged her.  She is convinced her support and encouragement played a huge role in shaping her into the woman she has become.  Reconnecting with my extended church family has been a blessing and a joy to me.  Thanks to FB we can reconnect from wherever we reside.  Who could not love the wonder and beauty of the internet?  The internet allows us to keep in contact with family near and far.  Those ties can be repaired, strenghten and reconnected.  When I was growing up in brooklyn, back in the day we still believed it took a village to raise a child, and a neighbor was definitely an extended family member.  If  Ms. Jackson told you to behave you dare not listen or the consequences would be equivalent to disrepsecting your very own parent.  How I long for those days.  In the meantime, I am blessed to have the ties that I have.  So during the course of the day, take a minute and think about the ties you have with your family and friends.    To all of my extended family new and old, I love you with all of my heart. I may not get the opportunity to tell you this in person or often please know that I truly do. 

Don't forget the ties that bind. 

Be Blessed, Diva Val