Express Yourself
This 6-Year-Old Keeps Me Laughing
Writer’s Quote Wednesday 2015
My choice for Writer’s Quote this week is Phillis Wheatley.
An African-American Literature class I took back in the early 1970s introduced me to Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American to write a book of poetry, “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral,” published on September 1, 1773.
The poem that generated the most discussion in the class was Phillis Wheatley’s, “One Being Brought from Africa to America”:
“TWAS mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand. That there’s a God, that there’s a Savior too: Some view our sable race with scornful eye, ‘Their color is a diabolic die.” Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, May be refined, and join the angelic train.”
Most of the members in class voiced concern about statements like “mercy brought me from my Pagan land”, “benighted” and “Negroes, black as Cain.”
Casting a negative light on Africa and its people while giving thanks to those who captured and enslaved caused my former classmates to negatively review the poem.
But, I argued that this was a young woman captured and brought to this country as a slave, when she was 7-years-old. She lived in the home of her slave owner with his wife and children until her marriage in 1778. Her privileged life was no comparison to the brutality suffered by most slaves.
Given this, I understood the rejection of an unknown people and country; and the acceptance of her known family and culture.
She was grateful to her rescuers, providers, protectors and educators and expressed it in this poem, “TWAS mercy brought me from my Pagan land.
Phillis Wheatley died in 1778, at the young age of 31.
For more information on Phillis Wheatley visit:
Freedom Friday – January 23, 2015
On this Freedom Friday, I choose to exercise my right to express GRATITUDE and APPRECIATION to my blogging friend, Imani, for selecting me to receive the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award.
About Imani
A writer and poet, Imani encouraged me to write my first poem last year. A major accomplishment for a poetically challenged 72-year-old.
I, especially, enjoy the essays that she shares, which introduced me to the lifestyle, culture and traditions of her country.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT HER BLOG
Award Rules
- Provide the link to the person who nominated you.
- Add the reward logo.
- Answer the questions your nominator has asked.
- Nominate five other bloggers and let them know via comments.
- Ask your nominee five questions.
The Questions Imani Asked Me
- Who or what puts a smile on your face and why? A young child or baby will automatically bring a smile. It doesn’t matter if it’s a photo or face-to-face interaction, they are cute and funny.
- If you could change the world, in one sentence how would you achieve it? I would end the unjust and unfair treatment of people because of their religion, race, gender, age, ethnicity, etc. I would encourage respect and acceptance of those who are different citing Matthew 7:12, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
- What is your favorite color and why? Pink. Pink is my favorite color because tradition taught me this was proper for a young girl growing up in the 40s and 50s. As a young adult, I identified Pink with femininity and expressed it with the lingerie, gowns, PJS, and slippers that I wore. I dressed my baby girls in Pink because it was expected in the 60s and 70s. Diagnosed with Breast Cancer at 68, Pink was the color that designated me as a survivor. Pink is my favorite because I never took the time to pick another color.
- Would you tell your friends/family the truth if you felt it would hurt them? No, if I felt it would serve no other purpose than to cause more hurt. Yes, if it would have a negative impact on their health and safety.
- Like Lucile asked me, “Are you mad at me because I nominated you for this award and you have extra work to do?” Of course. not. I am grateful to you for opening up this opportunity to meet new blogging friends and even more exciting and enriching experiences.
I nominate the following for Advising Me, Informing Me, Guiding Me, Training Me, Uplifting Me, Inspiring Me and just plain old Making Me Feel Better.
- My Wonky Life
- Living, Learning and Letting Go
- Ori Yeye nii Mogum
- Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer
- Second Half Woman
My questions to them:
- Who would you want with you if stranded on a deserted island?
- Would you rather travel by plane, train, or automobile?
- If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
- For what in you life do you feel most grateful?
- If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
Wordless Wednesday – January 21, 2015
Writer’s Quote Wednesday 2015
My choice for Writers Quote Wednesday 2015 this week is:
Iyanla (E-Yan-La) Vanzant
Ms. Vanzant is an African-American inspirational speaker, lawyer, life coach, author, and host of “Iyanla, Fix My Life” a weekly series on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) Television.
Her accomplishments, as an author, include:
- 15 Published Books,
- 5 New York Times Best Sellers (translated into 23 languages), with
- Sales exceeding 8 million copies.
Pain and Painting Black Figurines
Chronic Pain Memories
When I returned to Wisconsin for the Thanksgiving Holiday, this past year, I did more than spend quality time with family and friends.
I, also, reconnected with memories created more than twenty years ago. Fond memories of struggling through the early years of a chronic pain condition.
As shared in earlier posts, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 1993. The daily, excruciating pain associated with this condition forced me to take a six-month medical leave from my dream job, which eventually led to a resignation for medical reasons.
Because of the severe joint degeneration in my hands, I lost the ability to do even simple self-care tasks e.g., buttoning my blouse, tying my shoes, putting on a bra, or even combing my hair. In addition to working full-time, Hubby served as my primary caregiver. That is one of many reasons why I have kept him around for almost fifty-five years.
Chronic Pain Management: Painting Black Figurines
Approximately four months after the diagnosis, things changed. It started, when I opened the huge box sent by the Eldest Daughter from North Carolina where she was living at the time. Inside were bottles of acrylic paint in an array of colors as well as a number of unpainted figurines.
I called her and said, “Thank you for the gift, but What The H… am I suppose to do with these things?”
“Painting may give you some pain relief as well as strengthen your hands. Give it a try.” she said.
I tried and the first pieces were a disaster. But, I painted figurines almost everyday from 1993 until 1996. The painting improved. But, more importantly, the joints strengthened and the pain lessened.
Daily, for almost three years, I painted figurines depicting African-Americans in different roles — babies, clowns, children, angels, baseball players, basketball players, sorority girls, fraternity boys, historical figures, Buffalo Soldiers, doctors, nurses, etc.
After a while, the pieces went on display in the African-American Art Gallery that we formerly owned. They were quick sellers, especially the Santa’s and Angels.
I painted under the pseudonym, Marie Enno, which I took from the last four letters, spelled backwards, of my first name “Yvonne”; and, my middle name “Marie.” A number of close friends and relatives purchased the figurines. However, they had no idea that Yvonne Marie and Marie Enno were one in the same.
Painting the figurines distracted me from focusing on pain. I know painting was the beginning of my journey:
- from the non-productive invalid stage of chronic pain
- to the productive and active lifestyle I continue to enjoy at the seasoned age of 73.
Yes, I still have pain but I work to control it rather than letting it control me.
Thanksgiving with The Black Santa’s
With the exception of the Santa’s shown in this post, all the figurines were either sold at the gallery or gifted to friends.
When the family Christmas Gatherings, outgrew the space in our home, the Eldest Daughter said, “Let’s move the Santa’s to my home so we can continue to enjoy them.” I agreed and visited my Santa’s at her house every Christmas Holiday until retirement brought us to Florida in 2010.
Though everybody now comes to Florida for Christmas, Eldest Daughter wants to keep the Santa’s. Since they have been in her possession for more than ten years, I believe her home is now their home.
This year, for the first time, she decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving; and, I was able to once again enjoy my beloved Santa’s. She will continue to do this in the future; and I look forward to visiting with my Santa’s every Thanksgiving.
I added the photos below to my Cherished Memories Album. I can now enjoy looking at them when I want.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Serenity
Weekly Photo Challenge – Shadows
Wordless Wednesday – January 14, 2015
Sharing a Memory: Thanksgiving 2014
Hubby and I returned to Wisconsin to spend Thanksgiving with the kids, grands, relatives and friends this past year. Since we decided to go at the last-minute one, our airline ticket prices were over the top. (Side Bar Correction: The decision was mine and I bugged Hubby until he agreed.).
Why I Bugged Hubby
For years, we postponed visiting Hubby’s last remaining Aunt even though, by car, she lived six hours away from our home in Wisconsin. I remember reasons like “not enough time” or “maybe next year.”
Sadly, she passed away the first week in November. There was “enough time” and we couldn’t wait until “maybe next year” to attend her funeral and show our respect.
It was an up-front and up-in-my-face reality moment. Our tomorrows with loved ones are not promised. And, nothing short of my death was going to prevent me from spending Thanksgiving with the children and grands.
It was a short visit with a lot packed into three days, but I am grateful for the many precious memories including this one about my Little Girls.
The youngest members of our families are oftentimes the funniest. And, these two were in hot water for their shenanigans during the after Thanksgiving Family Gathering.
Our 6-year-old granddaughter, Cupcake, and great-granddaughter, Lyric, 7-years-old proudly announced to all that they were putting on a play later in the evening. Everyone purchased a ticket. The two girls disappeared; and, we all assumed they were pulling things together. When the girls came downstairs a bit later, they started to play a board game, and the play was soon forgotten by all.
Several hours later, the Eldest Daughter answered the phone and the caller said, “Someone telephoned 911 from this telephone is everything okay?” She assured the dispatcher all was well and said, “I can’t imagine what happened.”
My son decided to ask the girls and Cupcake admitted making the call. He explained to her that 911 calls were for emergencies only. She quickly said, “This was an emergency Lyric stole my money.” Lyric piped up with “I deserved more money because I am older.”
Aunts, cousins, uncles, dad, friends, etc., all took turns sharing examples with the girls of the right and wrong times to call the 911 emergency number.
The money collected was equally split between the two girls with the promise they would put the play on at our family’s July 4th Celebration.
Once everything settled down with the girls, the party activities continued. Then, the doorbell ring, a police officer came down the steps and entered the lower level. Cupcake looked up from her card game, saw the police officer, and quickly ducked behind the ottoman.
Her dad called her out of hiding. And, she meekly stood before the officer as he calmly explained to both girls that 911 calls were for emergencies only.
Something positive came out of this 911 incident. After all the negative publicity about policemen and their negative relationship with the African-American community, it was good for our teenage family members to witness a police officer interacting with these two little girls as well as our entire family in a kind, professional, and respectful way.
SeasonedSistah 