American Disabilities Act

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The American with Disabilities Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 1990.

Because of this law people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. We have come a long way since the 90’s. Some of you reading this post may not even been a twinkle in your father’s eye. Sorry, I couldn’t resist… 🙂 that’s just something ‘ole-folks’ used to say. It simply means you had not been conceived yet.

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Just because an individual has a disability it does not mean that they are in any way less than a person that has no disabilities. Don’t focus on how they may be different, celebrate their uniqueness. Please be aware that there are disabilities that may not be visible. We should be kind and considerate to everyone we meet. I long for the day when we will stop focusing on what makes us different, and take a more time to get to know one another. We might be surprised to learn that we have more in common than what separates us.

To everyone that lives with personal challenges (no matter what they may be) the amazing thing is that we can ‘choose’ to adopt a positive attitude. At the same time we should try to eliminate things that are negative. In no way am I making light of disabilities, I am thinking of people throughout history that have overcome what others would look at as an insurmountable disability.

Ludwig van Beethoven, a famous composer dealt with deep bouts of depression, and began to lose his hearing in his 20’s.

Helen Keller, a celebrated author grew up unable to hear or see because of a severe illness, yet she graduated from Radcliffe College, she also became a speaker and activist for the deaf and blind.

Bethany Hamilton, a surfing sensation lost her left arm in a shark attack when she was 13 years old. She did not allow that to stop her. She was back in the water one month later. She won her 1st national title two years later at the age of 15. Today she is a motivational speaker, and a professional surfer.

There are many other examples of people that took the ‘Dis’ out of disability and just focused on their ABILITY!

Hats off to all of you that choose to remain positive! That Keep Going!

BE ENCOURAGED! Be Positive! Find your purpose and do it to the best of your ability!

In closing I want to highlight someone that is near and dear to my heart. She is one that would fall into the category of ‘Not-Appearing-to-have-a-Disability’. Diane is a person that refuses to allow situations and circumstances to stop her from competing what she sees as her life’s purpose. I wanted to share what she posted on Linked In 7-26-21.

Diane I am so very proud of you! Keep Pressing Forward. God’s got you in His capable hands!

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Hey Ladies…

BTMP

Black Technology Mentorship Program is celebrating it’s One Year Anniversary!

Today they launched a new program geared towards women of all nationality’s.

Be among the first to…

Check Them Out!

Things are opening up around our nation, hopefully more around the world as well. It is time to get moving! You might not know where you want to go, you may just feel like it’s time to get moving again. No time like the present!

If you are standing still… you are falling behind. HER Innovation might just be what you have been waiting for.

More Please…

Using his self taught coding skills this 17 year old built an unbiased, add free, data tracking Website!

During this time in our nation and frankly around the world there are a lot of needs. I came across something the other day. It brightened my day! I wanted to share it then but the day got in the way. It was too good not to post and it left me wanting more. So I decided to post it along with a few other things I wish there was more of.

I heard a story about a 17 year old from Seattle, WA. His name is Avi Schiffmann. He told a fascinating story of how he heard about the coronavirus in December of 2019.

Get this, there were less than 1,000 cases in Wuhan, China at the time. He searched the web looking for a source of information that he did not have to download or sort through adds for up to date content. He decided to build a site.

To date I believe Avi Schiffmann’s Website is one of the leading sites for data regarding the Pandemic. Imagine if more of our young adults tapped into their creativity….To This I Say “MORE PLEASE!”

Scientists, Researchers, Biotech Companies, Pharmaceutical Companies, and US Drug Companies are all working 27/7 looking for vaccines, effective treatments, and ultimately a cure for the Coronavirus Virus.

It’s a beautiful thing when people work together. There isn’t much that can’t be accomplished when people Work Together!

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves”. Abraham Lincoln

Some have said that this is a false quote… never the less it rings true in this day and time; you be the judge.

Right, Left; Red, Yellow, Black, or White; Rich, Poor; Believer, Non-Believer; on and on and on! There is So much that CAN be accomplished if we just stop fighting one another.

MORE PLEASE

Hat’s off to our health care professionals.

To all of the Physicians, Doctors, Nurses, Therapist, Social Workers, Radiologist, and so many more; and and all that work in the Health and Human Services please take care of yourselves.

We need you to stay healthy as you strive to care for those that are most in need. You are appreciated!

Self-Care/Quarantine Prevent the Spread of the Virus

A picture is worth a thousand words… and this one says a lot. Let’s be mindful of our seniors and those that don’t have a strong immune system. Strive to stay healthy, get your sleep, drink plenty of water, try to eat healthy foods (easier said than done sometimes), wash your hands and face often, and last but certainly not least let’s keep a healthy social distance.

MORE PLEASE

We are in the mist of some trying times… We will however make it through. With all that we have been through in our 227 years America is still standing and we will continue to stand. We are stronger when we are faced with adversity. Let us look to our strengths, let’s look for things we can agree on, and put aside all the things that tend to draw us apart.

We are a nation of many types of people. We will make it through by walking TOGETHER hand in hand! Hmmmm Let me rethink that…

Maybe not Hand in Hand more like six to ten feet apart! LOL!

Laughter is like taking medicine! It releases healing throughout your body. The coronavirus is very contagious, but you know what? So is Laughter! Unlike the COVID-19 laughter will reduce your stress, it will boost your immune system, it can relieve pain, it combats depression, and it increases your resilience! Find some things to put smiles on the faces of your love ones!

AGAIN I SAY MORE PLEASE!

LEVELING UP!

Helping One Another!

This story put a smile on my face!

“The NBA rallies around non-salaried arena employees”.

Way to go Zion Williamson, Kevin Love, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Blake Griffin!

A few teams and team owners are also stepping up to the plate giving in big ways to help employees of the arena’s that will be without incomes due the cancelling of basketball games!

Talk about being role models…

America we are all on the same team, that does not mean we all think alike. Having a difference of opinion does not mean we have to be disagreeable. We may have to lay aside personal preferences for the good of the nation during this epidemic.

Everything does not have to start with the Government. Moms can help Moms with childcare, neighbors can help neighbors, places of Worship can be sources of help and encouragement.

We may not have millions of dollars in our bank accounts or the ability to donate large sums of money, but ask yourself what can “I DO”?

What innovative ideas can I come up with to help those in need. Thousands of Americans each year give of themselves by volunteering. Volunteering to help the less fortunate, the homeless, the under served, and those that face natural emergencies.

Offer A Helping Hand

Thank you to Walmart, CVS, Target, and Walgreens… competitors in their own right, but for the good of the American people are working together and with the President.

TEAM WORK

Be Calm, But Use Wisdom

In the mist of this National Emergency Let’s Pull Together & Be There For One Another

Lately we as a nation have been picking sides, drawing lines in the sand, and screaming instead of talking to one another…

Now we are all up against a global pandemic. This looks like a good time to come together. What happened to reasoning, doing the right thing, or working together for the good of the nation?

Pulling together, what will that look like?

Checking on one another – if you have neighbors that are seniors, or that have medical conditions see if there is something you can do for them. Offer to pick up medications, food, or even books and movies from the library. Offer to walk their pet.

Being a friend to one another – a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear, or maybe just someone to laugh with.

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 self-quarantine, you don’t want to infect others.

Realize that just because someone has an opinion that is different than yours… it does not make them your enemy.

One ‘bad’ cop doesn’t make all cops bad. One ‘bad’ black person does not mean all black people are bad. One ‘bad’ white person does not mean all white people are bad. One ‘bad’ man ….

You get my point right? I can say one ‘bad’ ___________ now add the who, or what hurt you or offended you; but then I also want you to finish the statement. That one BAD person does not make everyone that looks like them or even acts like them bad.

We have a deep wound in this nation, but it’s one that I hope we can heal from. It won’t all happen at once, but I remain optimistic. We are the UNITED States of America.

Do we have things in our past that we aren’t proud of? Yes. Have we done things recently that we wish we hadn’t? Yes. Do we have A Lot of room for growth… Yes, a thousand times yes!!!!!

The Good, the Bad, and yes the very Ugly all combined makes America what it is. Erasing things from the history books, destroying statues, or even trying to sweep all of the skeletons from our past into this big closet Won’t Work.

It all needs to stay there, so we can see it, so the world can see it. We don’t want future generations to repeat the sins of the past.

“Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” Edmund Burke

How do we as a nation get better…? We start with ourselves. Take a Good Look in the mirror. Strive to be the best person we can be each and every day!

Join me in praying for not only our nation, but also all of mankind.

Be calm… don’t stress. Use wisdom. Stress is not good for your immune system. Get your sleep. Drink water, stay hydrated. Stay home if you are sick. Stay away from large crowds. Do not handle your pets if you are sick (have other family members care for them). Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cover your cough. You know the drill…. 🙂

If you don’t know the drill – punch in ‘Coronavirus’ or COVID 19 on your phone or laptop and do a little searching.

We will get through this America, take care of yourselves, and your love ones. Then consider going the extra mile…

Do something nice for someone you wouldn’t ordinarily do. A Smile goes a Long Way.

Kobe & Gianna

2 – 24 – 20

It is said “Time heals all wounds”,

but it’s much too soon, much too soon.

I learned of your passing while dining with friends;

It was much too soon for your life to end.

Surprised by the tears that fell from my eyes, I was not alone;

For around the world there were cry’s, gasps and moans.

I’ve never shook your hand, nor supped with you.

Didn’t play your game, or work like you,                           

However your life has left an indelible mark,

It’s time to shift gears, and release myself from park.

Our prayers are with all of the families that lost love ones.

I started writing this post the evening I learned of the tragic accident. During the next few days I watched and grieved along with countless others… I thought maybe I shouldn’t post this. It wasn’t finished.

Then today I watched a little (very little) of the memorial services. The tears started right away. I left my husband to watch the rest of the service, Kobe Bryant was one of his all time favorite players. Which is why I believe I took Kobe’s passing the way I did. For a stanch New Yorker my husband became a loyal Laker fan. I’ve learned more stats over the years in regards to basketball (along with many other sports), than your average “none” sports playing females. I loved it all.

At church the following Sunday-members dressed in purple and gold, and Kobe gear if you had it!

I did go back to watch as a brave Vanessa Bryant, wife and mother shared a very public goodbye to her darling daughter, and loving husband. I pray for peace and comfort to Vanessa her girls along with the entire Bryant family.

While Kobe was not perfect, (no man is) I hope we all will strive to live better lives. Live as if others are watching you… they are, whether you realize it or not.

Are you living a life worth duplicating?

• Strive to live in such a way that you cause others to want to live a better life.

• It doesn’t matter how many times you fall…get back up again!

• Be kind, look for ways to put a smile on someone’s face.

• Give to those that aren’t able to reciprocate.

• Don’t rely only on sports, get a good education.

• Be an inspiration to those around you.

• Live your best life!

• Work Hard!

Find your Passion – Do It – Life is Short

The Census Book

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  Census Book vs. Book of Life

Below is a poem written by Kay McCullough, the words may seem a little funny to you because it comes from a book with a copyright date of 1925. 🙂 A story is being told of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem to participate in the census or enrollment ordered by Census Augustus. He had ordered that all the world should be registered.

I thought it fitting to share this poem during this season of gift giving. It speaks of a time when the world received a great gift.

To Bethlehem they went to be enrolled;

And there, in Caesar’s census book of old,

His name was written ‘mong the sons of men

As Caesar’s subject: “Jesus”-followed then

By “Son of Mary, born in David’s Town,

Of David’s line” – the record thus set down.

In a world’s book of life, a place they gave

To “Jesus” who was born a world to save.

They numbered Him with sinful men and poor,

Though He was Son of God, Divine and pure.

In a world’s book of life, a place they gave

To “Jesus” who was born a world to save.

They numbered Him with sinful men and poor,

Though He was Son of God, Divine and pure.

A heavenly census book His name alone

Bears, on the title page; for ‘tis’ His own,

That Book of Life; and there, writ clear and plan

Are names of those born in that King’s domain;

All who alive forevermore shall be

Are there enrolled for all eternity.

Since He was numbered once with sinful men,

May we be numbered as God’s own again.

Though Caesar’s book has long since passed away,

The Lamb’s blest Book of Life shall stand for aye.

Let us strive to have our names written in the Lames book of Life. I pray you had a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah or however you chose to celebrate this year. Let’s look for ways to be kind to one another in the coming year. Giving, sharing, and caring are good things to practice all year long.

Join me in hoping that in the coming year our great nation can find some since of healing. There is such a great divide in our country. When did having a difference of opinion mean that we have to be SO disagreeable… to the point of hatred.

I haven’t posted in quite some time… I am attempting to get back into the waters. This post was started 12/25 around 7:45 am. I wrote for about an hour. I clicked preview to see how it looked – remember I said I haven’t posted for quite some time… well I clicked the wrong button and lost it all. Bugged? To say the least.

I had to walk away for awhile. This post (although the poem was the motivation for it) is nothing how it was written the first time. I even considered not posting it. I had lost the thought process – the day had gotten busier, family was up, food needed to be cooked and served, etc… Anyway here I am late into the evening, I’m not going to let go. I’m going to push the button 🙂 . It’s time to get back into the game.

Have a blessed and safe New Year!

Forty Years

Happy Anniversary From Our

Four Beautiful Children!

How very blessed my husband and I are to have raised four wonderful children that we are proud to call our friends. They orchestrated a touching tribute to us today from four different places here in the good ole’ US.

#1 Child and #3 Child made sure we were home and geared up for an on line ‘meeting’ (wink, wink – no really, we did need to get together lol). As we all worked to get the kinks out our differing devices my husband received a call letting him know there was a delivery person at the gate needing to get in.

When he returned he had in his arms a large vase with 18 long stem red roses. Just gorgeous! We were then told to open our email, there in the in-box was a touching three page PDF that brought tears to our eyes. It started with

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO

OUR FOUNDATION

THE NATIVES

THE PARENTALS

MA & DADO

DAD & MOM

MA & PA

MOMMY & DADDY

All around these names (a few of their pet names for us) were pictures of them taken with us over the years. There was also a collage of my husband and I.

I didn’t want to post the PDF that they did for us; their sentiments were and are theirs to share.  So I decided to create a little collage of my own… Happy 40th Anniversary to the love of my life.

From the first, to the twenty-fifth, to the present I am thankful for our marriage. If I could say anything to young couples just starting out it would be this, your marriage is bigger than:

• Burnt Toast
• Kitchen Trash not taken out
• An unbalanced check book
• A Forgotten Appointment/Anniversary/Birthday
• Or even a Misunderstanding

I could go on and on, but you get my point, forgiveness goes a long way. I read/saw (don’t remember which) something the other day that I want to do. The person telling or writing the story was describing something he had witnessed his parents do.

They had an argument/disagreement, and his Dad left the room and went into his office. The young man finally went and knocked on his Dad’s office door. When he entered the room he saw his Dad reading.

His father explained to his son that whenever he got upset with his mother he would go and read this list he had created.

What was on the list? I don’t remember exactly how he worded it, but in essence it was all the reasons why he loved his wife, things/good qualities that he loved about her.

I thought this was a good idea. I haven’t done it as of yet, but I plan to. It’s the little things that can ruin a marriage if you allow them to. Don’t let them fester, squash them as soon as they pop their ugly head up.

Celebrate your love… you won’t always feel ‘the love’, so don’t rely on your feelings. I’m glad that my feelings have been positive for the majority of these forty years. Coupled with our faith in the Lord and in each other we have arrived to another milestone.

I pray we are blessed to enjoy many many more!

 

AMERICA

ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

Whether you believe in Him or not… He is there for all of us. We honor those that lost their lives seventeen years ago by remembering them.

I pray for families that lost love ones that fateful day. My hope is that your memories are  ones of fondness, and that good memories will continue to erode the hurt and pain of that day.

We are grateful for all who continue to serve in our armed forces, the men and women who sacrifice to keep us safe.

My paternal grandfather served in the Spanish-American War, my father served in Vietnam, my father in law served in the Army, my husband served in the Army, our son now serves in the Marines, and our grandson plans to enlist in the Air Force upon graduation from college.

Freedom Is Not Free!

This Nation has it’s faults (as many nations do), but there is no other place I would want to live. Being an Army brat, and a military wife I have had to privilege of living in other countries. They each had their faults, along with their rich history, beautiful sites and citizens who were proud of their native land.

But there is no place on this earth that I would rather live. I long for the day that we as American’s can co-exist. It’s OK to have a difference of opinion, it’s OK to belong to different political parties, it’s OK that your skin color is different from mine…

IT’S NOT OK TO SPEW HATRED AND VIOLENCE SIMPLY BECAUSE WE ARE DIFFERENT!

So on this Tuesday, September 11, 2018 we as American’s pause to remember the fallen; we also remember those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice since 2001.

GREATER LOVE HAS NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.

John 15:13

We Remember…

 

I Say A Little Pray For You…

Saying goodbye to the first Lady of Soul

As my title alludes… Franklin family I say a prayer for you this day. A prayer that includes requests for comfort, and peace as you grieve the lost of the patriot of your family. I pray that the good memories will lessen the sadness of your love one no longer being with you.

Like many other young girls during 1967 and 68 I was dancing and singing songs like; Respect, Chain A Fool, Think, and of course the song I referred to I Say A Little Prayer For You.

Many fond memories came to my mind as I listened to songs being played today to honor this woman that was truly blessed with an awesome voice.

I wonder how many know that Aretha Franklin began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister. Wikipedia