Yes, it’s true that when you look at me, you may see fear, you may see worry, you may see stress, you may even see me cry, but those emotions are part of what it means to be human. And I am, after all, only human. As a human, I am not ashamed of those emotions because I have learned that sometimes it is necessary to shatter the present to build a stronger tomorrow.
Women are many things, but two stand out.
They are our Mothers
The woman we fell in love with as a baby;
The woman who picked us up when we fell;
The woman who wiped our tears when we were hurt;
The woman who gave us that hug that made us feel better any band-aid ever could;
The woman who talked us through that time, our first crush broke our heart.
They are Our Best Friends, Our Partners, and Our Lovers
The woman who inspired us to reach for greater heights;
The woman who with their first kiss captured our heart;
The woman who held our hand and told us it would be alright in times of doubt;
The woman who stood beside and believed in us when no one else would;
The woman who makes our house our home
Women are our rock from birth till death.
Thank goodness for Women
The movie character Rocky Balboa said It’s not about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward.
You have hit us hard.
Shackled us in the chains of bondage
Lynched us under cover of night
Brutalized us for the color of our skin
Beat us when we demanded to be treated as equals
Oppressed us economically
Marginalized us socially
Devalued our lives
But we keep moving forward.
Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t. We are a unique people; our indomitable spirit keeps us moving forward in the face of all things done against us. It is a spirit that not only keeps us moving forward; it has protected and strengthened us. It is a spirit that screams WE ARE BLACK EXCELLENCE!
Oracle: But you already know what I’m going to tell you.
Neo: I’m Not The One…..
Oracle: Sorry, kid. You got the gift, but it looks like you’re waiting for something…
Neo: What?
Oracle: Your next life maybe, who knows?
About a month and a half ago, my heart stopped for what I was told was 30 minutes. Doctors told my family it doesn’t look good, that if I did survive, brain damage was likely. Yet I was told the team continued to work to bring me back long past the time they would typically work on someone; thankfully, I had that AR always resuscitate order LOL. Less than a week later, after being heavily sedated, I was awake and alert with no brain damage. Some hospital workers and the hospital chaplain started calling me miracle man. Since that time, I have been in the hospital recovering, unable to walk or sit up as my core/trunk muscles had atrophied. Having to rely on others to clean you after going to the bathroom on a bedpan is a humbling experience. Depression began to set in. With family and friends’ help, I realized there was no need to be depressed; instead, I should celebrate this “next life” that I had been granted that I had the gift and was given this new chance to realize my destiny.
“I am a Jedi. I’m one with the Force, and the Force will guide me.”
“For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is.”
“Close your eyes. Feel it. The light… it’s always been there. It will guide you.”
“Now I know there is something strong than fear — far stronger. The Force.”
Having realized that I was given this second chance to realize my destiny, I needed to understand how I could begin to accomplish it. First, I needed to heal myself physically; I needed to get stronger. Thoughts of pumping my body full of pills and merely doing the exercises the therapists were showing me would accomplish this were flawed as my progress was minimal. But then, what night I had a breakthrough in my thinking, I came to understand that to heal physically and mentally, I needed to tap into my belief in myself and my faith in the Lord. As with the fictional Force, I understood that the Lord is a powerful ally and has always been there. I simply needed to close my eyes, listen closely, feel his healing power and allow him to guide me in my recovery. Once I became one with the Lord, I knew nothing would be impossible.
I have subsequently been transferred to a rehabilitation center, and each day, I close my eyes and call on the Lord to give me the strength to move forward in my rehab to get stronger each day. I visualize that he is wrapping me in bright white light and that his healing hand is touching my soul, giving me the belief that I have it within me to overcome the physical issues before me that I can sit up, stand up and walk. As each day goes by, I have seen myself gaining strength. I can pull myself up; I can stand, I can walk.
I am still searching for what my ultimate purpose is. What my “gift” is. Why have I been given this next life? Who knows, maybe it as simple as sharing my story of faith and belief to help others find theirs. Whatever it may be, I do believe now that in this next life, I have been blessed with the Lord is guiding me, and with the Lord by my side, nothing is impossible.
Your true strength
Carl's Place 