Everyone's items tagged with whatinspiresu on DEF - Diamond Empowerment Fund

Coliseum di Roma

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:21:15 PDT

GOD and Family Inspires me

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:00:41 PDT

Having strong faith in GOD is the number one thing that inspires me...GOD has blessed me up until this day to wake up, and have another opportunity to persue my dreams and goals in life...I have been pursuing a career as a music artist for almost ten years now. This was when I first discovered that I had a passion for writing and performing. Unfortunately, my passion for doing it out-weighed my talent and knowledge to acheive this goal...lol...I began writing, and tried to right like what I was hearing on the market, and record in my closet on the crapiest equipment...lol...And you don't even wanna know what came out of that...The songs where alright lyrically, but I didn't know a thing about sound. With a lot of prayers, and faith in GOD, he kept me strong, and patient, so that I could work on my weaknesses, and hoane my talents. I learned from those who knew what I needed to know, and researched anything else that I lacked knowledge of in this case. Having faith in GOD has brought me a long way musically, enough that I was able to write, produce, perform, and sell successfully to my fan base, which grows on a continual basis. I do all of this while still trying to maintain taking care of my wife and family. It gets difficult at times, but I just think about GOD and his grace and it gets me through. Thank you for being a blessing and for listening. May GOD continue to bless you...

Krucial911...Ready for Success...

Wow what,who inspires

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:14:55 PDT

well I have to say "love" my mother's love is always there for me to go free doing what is best for "me" ultimately, but inside it reflexes outward for everyone else. no photos for this .

My Inspiration

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:46:09 PDT

My inspiration comes from so many different angles. Every part of life inspires me. The good and the bad times make me strive. Watching a child learn something new, or one get so excited because they discovered something new in their world. Hearing someone's ideas and seeing how envolved they are with persuing their dreams. Knowing that there is a chance that tommorow will be a better day inspires me to live on. Wanting to reach out to others through my voice or my witten words keeps me reaching higher. I can only hope that I inspire others the way that they inspire me.

just being

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:39:34 PDT

if you ask me what inspires me
its just being.
What more can any person say.
Just take some time to think about it.
No words can really be said about being.
Look around you see.
just being inspires me.
Smell the air or feel something
you see
what can be better then that.
Just being inspires me.
Every day we awake and everything we need is there for us
no need for a car because we can walk
no need for stores because food grows without our help.
Birth and death we have no control over.
So just being inspires me.
Look over here you see,
Just being inspires me.

S4200004.JPG

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:03:51 PDT

What Inspires Me

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:40:21 PDT

God,My ancestors,compliments,flowers,nice fragrances,smiles.

Keep moving forward!

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:46:59 PST

What inspires me is the memory of my mom, the love of my family and my desire to help others succeed. I have been through a lot in my 24 years on this earth! I was homeless from age 16 to age 23, I loss my first real job after 9/11 and was shot and stabbed twice. My mom was taken from us in 2005 while she was on her way home from work. She was shot and killed by the Baseline killer and just left there on the cold ground to die. Burying her a few days before Christmas, was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but somehow I was able to get through it. I guess the strength I had was there all along because when it seemed to be to much to handle, I was able to push forward. That is why my mom is my inspiration, because she did what ever it took to make sure we had the things we needed. When we had little food in the house she would not eat just to make sure we did not go hungry. She would work two jobs sometimes all while riding the bus and going to church on Sunday even though she was tired. She was the Sunday school teacher and the choir director as well, because she believed in helping others and wanted to share her love and joy with everyone. I saw what it took to always move forward even though the world kept on trying to knock her down, she got back up. She showed me that if you wanted something out of life you had to work for it and never give up. That is why I have started a company called The Corporate Ministry in her honor, which carries on that desire to help others. With jobs being loss, people losing their homes and the high prices on everything from food to gas, people need some kind of security in their lives. My goal is to show people that there is hope if you are willing to work for things instead of giving up and hoping things will get better. We provide people with services from business plan creation, car and home loans, getting a business funded and giving back to the community as well. I always recommend that my clients volunteer somewhere close to their home so that they can see what the needs of the people are. This way they can determine the cause of the problems they face and how to fix them. By doing this it teaches them to see the solutions to problems in life and in business, which pushes the idea of forward thinking that much further. Think about it if we had several people thinking and acting this way, then many if not all of the world’s problems would be fixed in no time! Finally to push the idea of giving forward even more, at the end of each month ,a portion of profits made from my sells are donated to schools and outreach programs. By doing these things I am sharing the joy of helping others, influencing others to do the same, and planting the seed for them to pass it on to someone else. That is why I am so determined to show people that by caring about others and helping them to reach their goals, they can learn more about themselves. They will also gain people skills that are necessary to being successful in business and in life. After all is that not what we all want in life, to be happy and cared about? So in closing no matter what you do, just keep moving forward!

Ricky Cunningham

The "First" African American

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:21:28 PST

As an African American, I rejoice when another African American uses his or her best talent and makes history by achieving something very monumental. African Americans like Tony Dungy, the current head coach of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League, inspire me to reach the highest level of achievement possible. In 2007, Tony Dungy became the "first" African American head coach in the National Football League to win a Super Bowl, and his achievement has increased my desire to use my best talent and become the "first" African American to make history at something that has not yet been achieved by an African American.

In my quest to become the "first" African American to make history at something significant, I desired to find out what my best talent is. Well, for me, a number of people who have read my short stories at www.myspace.com/mirrorlifewritings have acknowledged my talent for writing. And so, I declare writing as my best talent because this talent is the one talent I seek to publicize. Therefore, I hope to be the "first" African American writer to _________________. Hopefully with time, that blank space will be replaced with words and whatever this "first" is for me, I want it to be honorable.

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:36:15 PST

Bait & Hook

Iv been a hip hop fan since it all started over 20 years ago.
I can still remember the first hip hop hit that ever killed the air waves
called rappers delight. Man for a bunch of Wack ass rappers called,
and get this The Sugar Hill Gang believe it or not but they were the
four fathers of this billion dollar industry known today as hip hop.
Now don't get it twisted the sugar hill gang did not invent the art of
rapping but they new The Way to take it to the next level. To this day
those of us that are true hip hop fans can still remember and sing the
tunes, TO THE HIP HOP THE HIBED THE HIBED TO THE HIP HIP HOP
AND YOU DON'T STOP, shit was classic. now I'm pretty sure that to
this day those boy's did not expect that song to blow up the way it
did, but it did and thank God for that.
Now the thing I asked myself for a long time was how the fuck
four average people that aren't even great rappers, four brothers who didn't know shit about the game give birth and become the four
fathers of hip hop. I tell you I have thought about this for a long time
and for many years this shit just ate me to the bone, iv sat down and
tried to Analise how and why so many hits are made by Wack ass
rappers and I think I got it y'all. It's as simple as two words Bait &
Hook. Now I ain't trying to get all scientific on your asses now but bear with me and listen close, trying to make it in the crazy industry is not
as hard as some might think, and to all my beloved up and comers
I say only this, you must think as fishermen, ya you know those guy's
that go out to sea and catch fish, isn't that what you all are trying to do anyway catch fish or should I say catch the ears of fans, YES that's
the goal. And this goes as far back as to the Bible, wasn't it Jesus that
said that we should all be fishermen of men....mmmm think about it. Ok
so now that were beginning to think as fishermen lets catch some fish.
First what we will need is some good bait feel me, and the bait in music
terms is the almighty BEAT samples and what not. The first thing that
we here when we listen to a song is of course the beat and melody
that's what draws us in and that's the beginning of the Capture. You can ask any pro fisherman without good bait you can forget about catching any fish period. So you get that perfect beat then add a sample and may be some slick keyboard toons and then you start to draw them in. Ok now their starting to get drawn to the bait, they say DAMM that beat is hot, now you need that crazy hook. You can never ever catch a fish without a
good hook right, and we all know what a good hook is right. Need I say anymore.... hell no that hook is the whole bases of the project you are creating and the hook is of course the foundation of the story you are telling in your songs (Ryms) etc. Even the worst of the worst artist out their can catch a fish or two if they have a good beat & a strong hook. Can you all feel me? We all know of some fake ass rappers that come up with these mega hits and we all tell ourselves...WHAT DA FUCK WAS
THAT? Then we start to think shit if those niggers can make it then so
can I. Then we totally forget about the bait and hook. Don't get it twisted my up and comers. Just because we all know what true rap is and its authenticity and its pureness and history, it don't mean shit in the world today. Then, and this is the BIG ONE... we don't ever want to be sell outs right, we don't EVER want to go commercial, ya that's the dumb shit I use to say, I have a close close friend who calls it joining the circus well you know what if you can't beat them and you want to make in this crazy industry guess what, you gotta join that circus. Then once you join that
circus and you have them baited and hooked then and only then can you get down to what you really are made of. Then you can do what is true to your heart. So this is to all my beloved up and comers become fishermen of men, draw them in with some tasty bait (beats) and get them hooked with a strong ass hook. I pray that you all put your guards down and kill the industry. Peace & Love X-TRO

I remember

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:29:31 PST

Man I can still remember 1979 sitting in my living room eating grandmas juicy fried pork chops and yellow rice & beans while I heard Rappers Delight for the first time as if it was yesterday, yeah I can still remember. How can I forget the day in 1982 playing hooky from school, going up to my boys house in the projects while his family were working, lighting up a loose joint and watching Wild Style for the first time.Yeah, I can still remember that too. I can still remember saying to myself who are those boys called Rock Steady. Man, I wish I can be as good on the floor as that boy called Crazy Legs; you damn right I can still remember. "Yo, I can still remember the next day going to an abandoned factory in Hoboken NJ looking for the biggest peace of cardboard and practicing my first backspins & headspins. Man did I have some crazy bruises that night. I remember 1982 breaking night, drinking a quart of Old English and battling against myself in front of my mom's big-ass mirror in the living room, I was hooked like a junky. I remember getting rushed to the hospital for breaking my ankle and hearing my mother say those priceless words I'll never forget "Now I know why they call it breaking son." How the fuck can I forget catching the path train heading to west forth for the first time and having the courage to dance in front of a big crowd in 9th St. park in the Village, man that shit was terrifying. Same day I had my first battle against these young cats called Scrambling Feet Rockers.After I was done rocking how can I forget them asking me to join their crew, and I said to myself "shit I'm just some kid from Jersey, hell yeah I joined them. The next week I remember waiting for Scrambling Feet right outside the D train on west forth, and witnessing for the first time a tight breaking crew in formation walking up the steps of the turnstile chins up and strolling with a swagger about them as if they new they were superstars. Mr. Stretch and Kid nice carrying this long rolled up red and white peace of lanolium carpet and Little Float in the back carring this big ass JVC boom box moving and grooving to Run Dmc's Sucker Mc's. Man, I just knew that I was part of something big. Same day I remembered passing out my first donation hat to the crowd after I finished perfoming and collected over $300. Man I ran straight to the sneaker store and got me my first pair of Addidas with them 2 inch thick laces, it's something I'll never forget. I remember heading to the Fun House sporting Lee jeans and a X-tro name-plate belt rocking my Kango and Gazals with this over sized sterling silver name plate chain. Oh and don't forget that blue sheep skin coat, ha, ha, ha. Shit sounds funny today but back in da day, pure ghetto fabulous and wow what a era that was. I remember walking in the Fun House that night and chiilling by the small stage in the back were all brakers and poppers rocked and I saw this white boy climb on to the stage and all the dancers had a look of fear in ther eyes. I remember saying to myself "Who the hell is this kid?" Then DJ Jelly Bean played Planet Rock and all I heard from the crowd
was "Freeze,Freeze,Freeze". At that very moment this white boy called Mr Freeze started poppin. I witnessed for the first time one of the most amazing poppers I've ever seen in my life till this day. I mean this kid was on another level and I asked someone "Who is that boy down with?" And they told me he was down with Rock Steady. Wow for the first time I actuly saw someone from Rock Steady, the crew I've idolized for years and the boys that inspired me to become a breaker. Yeah, man I can still remember that night. I remember after that night that I wanted to learn more of the art of poppin. So the next day I asked one of my boys from Scrambling Feet "Who do you think is the best popper out there right now?" and Mr Stretch said " Three of the best poppers that I've ever seen are and they go by Popin Pete from the West Coast, Fabels and Mr Wiggles from the Bronx. The next day my mission was to meet these legends, Mr Wiggles and Fables caus there was no way for me to go down Cali to check out Pete. Two months later I remembered going to the worlds famous Roxys for the first time, as I walked in I saw Africa Islam, Bambaataa son rock the wheals of steal, man he was phonamonal. As I teamed up with my boy's Scramling Feet I saw a huge crowd forming and yelling," Rock Steady, Rock Steady". So I ran towards the crowd and when I got there my every B. Boy dream came true that very night. I can still remember it as if it was yesterday. At first I witnessed Frosty Freeze doing his famous crazy front flip suicides, then the one and only Crazy Legs rocked some foot work. Just as I thought he was incredible, feet gliding as if he was on air, working it so precised and so on point that you can imagine him rocking in perfect formation right on top of your mom's round kitchen table. Then comes in this young cat, crowd yelling "BATTLE Battle" I looked to the side and asked my boy Stretch who is that and he said Float, this kid was crazy on the floor nothing iv ever ever seen befor and let me remind you this is 1983...man this kid just blew away Legs with his Wind Mills & Head Spins and a move that was so so new back then...TRAX Float just ripped the floor and Legs just disappears from the crowd...It was nuts. Just when I thought I've seen it all DJ Islam played the song called "Numbers" the perfect song for popping at that time. Next thing I knew everyone got quiet and this skinny cat came out of the crowd and all eyes were straight on him. You can feel the energy building up in the place and right beside me, I heard this home girl scream from the top of her lungs..."Wiggles Wiggles". Shit was about to go down like nothing I've ever seen before. This electric human robot began one of the most incredible routines that I've ever seen before. Just as he was done doing his thing, in comes Pop Master Fabels...Nuff said peoples... These guys at the time and still today were and are way, way, way ahead of their time. I mean they worked the floor like magicians and their form of dancing was the most magical illusion you would ever see. Even Michael Jackson would have been on ther dicks. Ha, ha, ha, Keeping it real thay were incredible and you know what; I can still remember that night. I mean how can any true B. Boy forget shit like that...not a chance, I thank God for allowing me to experience what I have experienced. That night its something that will stay with me my whole entire B. Boy life and guess what my fellow B. Boy's, I was there and I Remember. This was just the first part of my life growing into the Breaker I have become today. There are still many, many stories I need to tell and believe me Hip Hoppers & B. Boy's I will. Like the first time I saw the NYC Breakers kill the dance floor or when I was touring in Switzerland and bumped into my Idols Wiggs & Fables... Man I can tell you there's lots to come and you know what...I am so grateful I Can Still Remember.

The Begining

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:27:50 PST

The Beginning By Marcelino R. aka X-tro

In the beginning God created sounds and the beat. Now the sounds and beats was without form and void and darkness for it was of Rock. Then God said let there be Jazz and there was finnaly form. And God saw that Jazz was good so He divided it from the Rock. God called Jazz R&B and the Rock, Rock & Roll. So the Rock became Rock& Roll, Pop Pop Pop and the Jazz became the Hip & Hop, rap rap rap. Then God saw that Hip Hop was good. Then God said let there be movement in the midst of His Sounds and let it Divide the sounds from the movement. And God called it Dance and God saw that Dance was good. Then God divided dance into Many diffrent forms, from Bee Bop, to Boogalo & Poping to Brake Dance. And God saw that it was good. Then God said let Hip Hop bring forth legends of the Art of rap, so God created the Sugar Hill Gang, Africa Bambaataa from Black Spades to Zulu Nation, Grand Master Flash & Furious Five, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Boogie Down Productions and so on and God saw that thay were good. Then God said let Hip Hop bring forth legends and pioneers of the Art of Dance, so God created legends such as Rock Steady's Crazy Legs, Buck4 , Frosty & Mr Freeze, Mr Wiggels & Fabels. Boogaloo Sam, Popin Pete from the West Coast & The Electic Boogaloos, Roger G on skates, Chino & Icey Ice and the NYC Brakers and many many more from the Bogie Down Bronx and the West Coast & through them were others born such as RoCISM, Kid Float aka X.C.E.L., Video, Ken Swift, Smerk, Jeskilz, Peachs, lock A Tron John, X-tro, Kid T and the list goes on and on. And God saw that it was good. AND IT WAS.

Writin by X-tro 01/15/08

There are still good grown males out there that are Black American

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:24:58 PST

Raising more grown males/females out there that are Puerto Rican /Hispanic American.

The game (life)has had many people worried and wondering what next are people still getting married? is Romance dead?

are we still having children?

Let me introduce myself Iam a Elmichel a Royal Princess of the PODS a native American tribe residing in America and Puerto Rico respectively.

My Crown is triple in status and i need a king to stand by my side that is worthy to join me in my Queen ship; It shouldn't be that hard you might say to find a decent business associate that has the same means of hope to want to be able to make the world a better place. I have fought through the ups and downs of life and living in the hood. Politics and community activism advocate for

people who really need help and assistance. Through the years of spectating and observing the way the world sways back and forth.

I have been smitten with a hand some male figure that has not that i heard been in any drama in house and in media and these days thats great! I never heard him disrespect females even if he worked with heathens through most of his Mogul life. A personality I would love to be around and other than G.O.D. Mother family members.

Iam a supporter of real grown men that are truthful.

i have two brothers and 3 nephews so far and they have a great role models; my brothers does just fine role modeling for his Hispanic children and good for them they deserve it. I mean that. Love Peace and Happiness
www.myspace.com/heres22

What Inspires Me...?

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:11:48 PST

The "Lord" inspires me. Because of Him I love waking up in the morning to start my day doing the things I love to do. I constantly thank Him for all of the talents & gifts He has blessed me with. I set my sights on a higher vision because "I KNOW" that He created me to be great and to dream as big as I possibly can.

To sum it all up, The "Lord" & Love inspires me most. He makes the impossible, "Possible"...and thats so amazing to me. It inspires me to continue reaching for higher visions in everything I do.

1 Love
"CHILL"

CHILL

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:03:54 PST

The "CHILL" Factor

who I admire most

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:51:59 PST

Lets see, 1st and foremost GOD, then with just life itself, 2nd the most wonderful children in the world, and next my husband. He has done so much for us I could never know how to thank him, and last myself. They depend on me to help with their daily struggles and dreams.

My Mama...The Marine's Good Wife

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:50:44 PST

We were on our way to the airport, and at such a tender age (of four), I didn't understand what was happening. It didn't make sense to me why, when the song "Leavin' on a Jetplane" came on...Mama collapsed in tears as my dad held her close. I can remember her face, contorted in grief, and her delicate hands as they gripped his arm tightly. Before long, he was on a plane, bound for the war in Viet Nam....neither war, nor this place, held meaning for me. I didn't understand.

Over the next year, Mama wrote her Marine faithfully. She talked about Daddy being a hero...someone we could be proud of. They sent each other reel to reel messages of love, hope, and prayers. There was always a special part dedicated to my brother and me. We could hear bombs exploding in the distance sometimes. Mama would distract us with fun activities in our room while she listened to the parts meant just for her.

Looking for Daddy on TV, in the crowds of soldiers, as they enjoyed Bob Hope's show... Mama knew he wasn't there...but she always encouraged us to look for him...and we did...with great excitement! We were sure we spotted him on numerous occasions...as these traveling shows were telecast. Every man with brown hair and a mustache was him!!

Wanting to get Mama out of the house as a distraction from her worry, my aunts (her sisters) took her dancing one night. A young Marine in the crowd asked her to dance to a fast song with a great beat...and she accepted. When he asked her for her phone number, she replied, "I'm happily married and my husband is in Viet Nam. I don't mind a fast dance or two, but I'm not here for anything else."

To which the young Marine replied, "I'm glad to hear that, Ma'am, and I apologize. My wife left me when I was in Viet Nam. God bless you. Your husband is a lucky man."

But, Mama felt she was the lucky one.

Finally, Daddy came home. There was great joy and relief! He got orders...and off we went...to southern California...where we lived into my adulthood.

For a time, Daddy was exposed to the worst kind of hate. He was spit on, saw a dummy, made up in the likeness of a soldier, burned in effigy by war protesters, had his car spray-painted with the words "Baby Killer" across the side, and was asked by a protester what it felt like to kill innocent women and children. He coolly replied, "I don't know. I never killed any." But, their words hurt, and Dad drew strength from Mama's love. And as she always assured him, these terrible times passed.

Over the years, when Daddy expressed a desire to pursue something, Mama was always right there in his corner, encouraging him to do it. Though he had barely graduated high school, he suddenly had this incredible desire to try college. He was certain that he would perform poorly, though. She shook her head, as if it was nothing, and said, "Oh, just try one class. If you don't like it, no harm done. Just see how you do!"

Daddy aced that one class, and took a full-course schedule the very next semester. Mama helped him study, and kept us involved in quiet activities when he needed quiet study-time alone. Whenever he felt doubtful, she would scoff and say, "Oh, you can do it, Marine!"

And he did, first graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in Criminal Law, and then graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Master's in Forensic Science.

Daddy was interested in the polygraph. Mama encouraged him to pursue his interest. He applied for, and was accepted at, the three-month course given in Alabama...at Ft. McClellan. Mama learned she was expecting my baby brother at that time (I was 14, my brother 12). Though attending the school would mean Daddy wouldn't be there in California for Jesse's birth, Mama adamantly told him to go...and she took care of us...worked full-time...and went through a very, very difficult labor and delivery without him by her side. If she felt any resentment at all, I never saw signs of it... She was so proud of her man, her Marine. He graduated at the top of his class.

Over the course of Daddy's honorable career, Mama was his touchstone, his encouragement, his support, and his greatest love. And she always found a way for us to participate in Daddy's work...to feel like we were all contributing to his success. We would go into his office on the occasional Saturday and stamp envelopes, organize "important" paperwork, and sweep the floor. If Daddy had problems organizing something, Mama stepped in and organized a system for him, to make his office work flow more smoothly.

She hosted parties for his office mates (fellow soldiers) and their families. She encouraged other wives to be brave and stand proud for their husbands when they were sent on unaccompanied trips abroad. She organized our local daycare, and later became active as a volunteer in our elementary school...once completely organizing the school library of Daniel Boone Elementary.

She volunteered to work with dyslexic children.

Mostly, she provided a clean, safe, loving home, with a hot meal every night, where her Marine could take off his boots and relax. Daddy never had to worry about what was going on in his home while he was away. He knew Mama was devoted to him....and he was to her!

Mama started a tradition that we faithfully practiced with each trip Daddy took. Fifty-two days prior to his return, she would tape each card in a poker deck to the wall....in the shape of the number representing the date of his return. She would have each of us take turns, daily, removing a card from the wall....until all the cards were down, and Daddy was safely home.

My brothers and I have had a lifelong example of honest, loving, untarnished devotion between our parents.

When Dad retired, the Marine Corps presented Mama with a special plaque of recognition....for being such a good wife to her Marine. She had earned it many times over.

Today, Daddy is retired for the second time....he had another complete career with another organization after his retirement from the Marine Corps. Of course, Daddy has always been, and will always be...until the day he dies...a Marine first. Mama has declared on more than one occasion over the years that she signed on for this, knowing exactly what she was getting into....

My mama, the Marine's good wife, has stood firmly beside her man for nearly 45 years now. I'm in awe of them both.

Mama and her man, my dad, the Marine.... Semper Fi.

Beautiful Things...

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:47:26 PST

First and foremost, God's love.

My children....everything about them, past and present.

The sun setting on the mountains or on the ocean.

Forgiveness.

The love and loyalty of all my friends, old and new.

The look on my grandfather's face when he read the last Father's Day card I got him.

The memory of my grandparents always holding hands.

The way my parents look at each other when they think no one is watching.

Every single member of my family...immediate and extended, those still here, and those in Heaven.

The warmth in a smile passed for no particular reason.

The gift of seeing into the heart of people, past the masks worn in self-defense, straight to the soul wherein lies the greatest beauty...

A meaningful life lived in the service of others.

When I Was a Girl...

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:46:17 PST

For one day, when I was a little girl, I lived in a cardboard castle surrounded by a moat dug in clay, kept filled by our backyard water hose. I wore a glorious dandelion crown, and a flowing, sparkley dress made of fabric that had once been part of my mother's prettiest blue nightgown. I was the princess, and my father, the king, was coming for tea and crumpets.

I fussed over my little metal table and chairs, arranging the tablecloth just so. This was an important tea -- for the king had been off to battle for many months, and this was my own, special welcome home to him. My "tea" was sugar-water, and my "crumpets" were carefully made mayonaisse sandwiches, with the ends of the bread cut off. I had laid out my very best china for the occasion, and each tiny cup and plate was carefully arranged and prepared for the king's arrival.

When the king arrived, he took his place at his tiny, little chair. I poured his tea, and he delighted me with his magical stories of slaying dragons, rescuing the princesses of other kingdoms, and keeping our own little kingdom safe. For a time, on that day, no one else existed. We were sheltered from harm by the laughter we shared, just the two of us...that beautiful, April day in the Spring of 1970.

In my tender youth, I did not see the pain that now shadowed your eyes, put there by events in a faraway country where nothing that was happening made sense. The deep love you felt for your little girl would not let your eyes betray the pain that now resided there. For a moment, you were just the king, having tea and crumpets with your little princess.

We shielded each other then. We shield each other now.

Daddy, I want you to know that because of you, I still believe in magic.

Hidden Treasure

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:43:29 PST

For years, I endlessly searched for the treasure I'd been told was hidden at the rainbow's end. Frustration dominated my struggles, and once much time had passed, I realized I'd been chasing hidden treasure...that was never hidden at all! The rainbow IS the treasure. The journey, itself, is the dream's fulfillment.

My family, especially my children, my friends, my past loves....all part of the splendid colors that have made me who I am today.

Everyone I've loved most is part of me. Everything I've always wanted to be, I am.

And you're my rainbow...my treasure. Every last one of you. Because you've added color to my world, laughter to my heart, and warmth to my soul.

Memories of My Grandparents...

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:39:44 PST

...the smell of your cigar, and how you always asked me if I wanted a piece of Juicy Fruit gum on the way to church every Sunday.

...making me pick my own switch when I sassed you...then taking me up in your arms when I grew tired...rocking me softly in your old rocker until I drifted off to sleep.

...singing songs with me on the porch swing in summer.

...giving me a pair of scissors, and letting me cut a bouquet of flowers for Mama when she had a rough day at the factory.

...fixing me a large bowl of vanilla ice cream...then sitting and helping me eat every bite, while telling me stories of your childhood...

...endlessly going through the old picture box every time I visited...and naming everyone in the photos....a ritual I insisted on repeating every time I came to see you. Your patience was golden.

...telling me stories of your early boxing days in Detroit...of tough times during the Depression...and making "lunch money" playing pool in the back of the local five and dime.

...hot apple pie and slices of watermelon.

...waking up to the smell of fresh biscuits baking, and bacon frying.

...allowing my cousins and me to run through the cornfield just after a hard rain... and then pumping buckets and buckets of water out of the cistern to get the thick mud washed off.

...taking me for rides on the tractor.

...rubbing me down with calamine lotion when I got into a patch of poison ivy.

...soothing me to sleep when I was suffering with a terrible bellyache after eating too much sourgrass...(even though you'd warned me not to).

...your gentle manner...the smell of the sawmill in your clothes.

...the mischevious glint in your eye when you told a joke Grandma didn't approve of...

...the soft shuffle of your shoes across the wooden floor in the kitchen.

...the warmth of the down mattress, buried underneath soft sheets and thick home-sewn quilts, with the soft glow of a fire in the woodstove dancing gracefully across the wall.

...listening to the rain hitting the tin roof...lulling me off to dreamland.

...frogs, crickets, homemade ice cream.....and lots of love.

...swinging on grapevine....walking the length of the creek...learning about the plants and roots...how some could be used as medicine.

...touching the deep crevices in your face, and feeling your history come pouring through my fingertips...straight into the heart of me.

...watching you ever-so-slowly leaving this life...with no regrets, a gleam in your eye....a legacy for the generations to come.

I promise to proudly pass your stories to my children and grandchildren. You each made a beautiful difference in this world, and I miss you.

Memories of My Grandparents...

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:38:53 PST

Hanniyah, My Little Angel!

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:31:39 PST

September 7, 2005 I went into labor to give birth to my baby girl whom we thought to be health in every way. At 9:30 that night she was born. At first she did not cry then a very faint cry came. The doctors were working with her for a while before I was able to briefly hold her. She had fluid in her lungs and a heart murmur. When I held her for the first time something just did not seem right, the way she looked. She spent eleven days in the hospital where they ran test after test.
The Doctors were concerned with her appearance, low set ears, the distance between her eyes, the lines in the palm of her hands, high muscle tone and so much more. There was also something perculiar with her cry, her cat cry!
The CAT scan came with saying she has agenece of the corpus callosome. Which meant the part of the brain that sent messages back and forth never formed. We did learn this might not effect her in any way and normal people are born without it and live normal lives.
Next the genetic tests came back to show she was missing part of her 5th chromosome, 5p Minus or Cri Du Chat Syndrome (cat cry). This was when all the bad news came. Then she started having problems feeding. She did not know how to stuck, swallow and breathe together, so they would give her oxygen when she was eating. After a barium swallow test showed fluids were not getting in her lungs, we continue with the oxygen until we were comfortable positioning her right during feeding.
The Doctors can only tell you the worst and you can just hope for the best and pray that it is not as bad as they say. They said she would not talk, walk, she would have behavioral issues, eating problems where she might have to use feeding tubes, how some kids have to go through surgery or hospitalization before the age of one.
I was a wreck daddy wasn't going to be around like that and all I could do was cry. He kept telling me she will be ok.
As I researched for myself it did not help all the information was the say as what the doctors had already told me. Before we left the Hospital they set her up with Early Intervention, which would set up her therapies for us. I found a support group with families of children with this syndrome. They really helped me and gave me direction to take to make sure she had all the right services.
She started the EI one week after we got home with a developmental specialist and physical therapist. Eventually she starting getting Occupational therapy as well. When I look at my child now, she has come so far. At a year old she was still like an infant bearly moving. She has always been determined , you could see it in her big brown eyes. Every time I set a goal for her she would conquer it.
She started crawling on her belly at a year and eight months and pulling herself to stand.The hardest thing for me was watching her when she would pull herself up to stand. She didn't know how to get back down and would let go and fall. I was scared to put her on the floor in fear that she would hurt herself.
One month before she turned two, she started crawling on her knees. That was huge for her. One day I was sitting watching TV, she bent her knee and got down from standing on her own. It brought tears to my eyes to she her accomplish that. I no longer had to worry about her getting hurt. Right now she is at about a 12-13 month old level and strives to improve everyday.
After fight to get her speech therapy she finally started last November. She tries so hard at speech and since she has started has been using more words.
She is currently 2 1/2 years old and crawls soooo fast, climbs up and down out of chairs, walks around furniture but has yet to take steps. The next goal set for her is to have her taking steps before her third birthday in September.
She has never been hospitalized, nor has she had any surgeries. I am lucky to say she has not really had any feeding issues and loves to eat everything. She does have trouble chewing food but we have learned to cut her food up enough for her to chew. We are working on teaching her to use her tongue to move the food to her teeth. We keep her happy and loved and with prayer she continues to surprise us everyday.
Hanniyah has inspired me to fight for everything I want in life and without a fight you will have nothing. She always tries whether its saying simple words or picking up blocks and putting them in a bucket. She uses her hands and fingers more and more each day and the things she has been taught she just does not forget. Even with her syndrome she has always been an easy going little girl. Sometimes I want to give up but when I look at her and see her determination she keeps me going. She was put on this earth for a reason and she is living proof that nothing is impossible. She is my little angel!

Mr. Simmons Inspires ME

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:14:38 PST

Mr. Simmons is one of my many inspirations. I have traveled from Michigan to New York to pursue my dream on several occassions. Mr. Simmons stopped on the street, dropped everything he was doing just to talk with me, hug me and tell me he was impressed by my enthusiasm and big ideas! That day he taught me the value of remaining humble no matter what levels of success I achieve. That value will stay with me forever and keep me grounded - I use it as a constant reminder that my children gave me the courage to dream big and no matter what happens I need to be grateful and humble and know that everything I do is not for my ego but for their future!