Celebrate life!

So I have been out of the blog world for a minute. I lost my favorite auntie, Norma Jean on January 31st. This date is also the anniversary of the 6th year of being without the love of my life, my daddy. I also moved into a new house and still have boxes to unpack. Thru it all I give thanks for all the blessings and grace the Creator has shown me and my family. I will be back with more musings and writings on creative empowerment. Life is short. Live strong!

Here is poem I wrote for my auntie and read at her services in Chicago.


For our Norma Jean

this isn’t a poem

its words put together when words can never say enough

its a whirlwind

a big smile

a tight hug from a favorite aunt

that looks just like my mama

its love

this isn’t a poem

its a family story

it begins in a busy house that used to stand not too far from here

with a wild backyard

a warm kitchen upstairs

tall, steep concrete steps

that provided us many scraped knees

all our hearts can remember is

her laughing and smiling

if we counted all the times we heard her laughing

beautiful gap teeth smiling

head leaned back

soul a glow

we are rich

this isn’t a poem

since words can never be enough

to celebrate

to speak on the essence of her spirit

while the body is fragile

it bends

it fails

it gives out

spirit is stronger

no force is greater than pure love

her journey to short for us

lovely many times

bumpy some times

cuz life can serve up bumps and valleys and peaks along the way

her chapters unfolded like a large novel

i wanna keep turning the pages

we wish for more volumes

more hugs

more of her laughs

more comedy

more of her sweet nature

just more

more

more norma jean love

the essence of her spirit

will live on

your brothers, sisters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends

deep down wish our collective love for you would pull you back here

our tears would drown out all pain

but

with deep breathes

we release you to the creator

rest now

rest in perfect light dear one

the essence of your spirit will live on

Tricia Hersey

from left to right: My Auntie Norma Jean and My mama Jean Marie

Exploring FREE: Holiday Edition

I am obsessed with FREE events and things. My son hears me say "Is it free?" all the time that he knows how to spell it and identify the word anywhere we go. Since, I am working super part time and still recovering from my job loss this summer, I have been even more vigilant about finding FREE everything. I love exploring our new state of Georgia and also intrigued by historic neighborhoods. My son loves the word adventure and if I say we are off to one he is always down for the fun. Today, we explored Downtown Historic Norcross, Georgia. It is the cutest and cleanest little city. The have a main street with cute antique shops, cafes and parks. My buddy Sonja and her son Khatim told us all about this little town so we joined them for activities as part of a month long celebration of Holiday Magic called Sparkle.

The center of the town has a a couple of beautiful fountains and lots of wide open green space. During the summer months they host large outdoor music events and festivals. I felt like I was on a movie set because they have strategically hidden speakers in the sidewalks pumping out Christmas tunes and facts about this old railroad town. Saheim loved the fountains and ran around like a bird set free wearing the Santa Claus hat given to him by his dad.

Since I am an arts and craft addict I was excited to find out that the Norcross Garden Club was hosting a FREE Open House that included FREE kids crafts, live music and a bake sale of yummy treats. We made a creative bird feeder from a pine cone. The instructor showed us how to stuff it with a peanut butter mixture, roll it in bird seeds then tie a string to hang outside on a tree branch. They also had the yummiest warm apple cider for FREE, a musician playing lovely holiday music and homemade bake sale items priced really cheap. I couldn't pass up the large pumpkin chocolate chip bread for only $2.00. The women hosting the event were super nice and invited us to more of  the FREE events they host which teach you about gardening. I will make sure to go to the workshop on harevsting honey and bees.

Our next stop was a short walk down the cute main streets to window shop and find coffee. We stopped at the cutest coffee shop with a nice seating area with books and games for kids to play with. Saheim is a fan of chess and set up the board to play right away.

Our last stop was to Thrasher Park to run off some energy. The park was large with many fun things to play on, a cute gazebo and lots of benches for the mamas to rest. This was my first time visiting this little neighborhood even though it is only 9 miles from our house. I will for sure be back to check out the Tequila Bar, Italian Restaurant and a FREE weekly storytime event for kids. Thank God for FREE and for adventures!

                                                

What are some of your favorite FREE outings and events you have attended recently?

Sunday FUNday

I love Sundays! I always have. Its something about them that seem so easy and also relaxing. Growing up I remember Sundays always having a big breakfast and dinners cooked by my mama, my hard working dad at home from his overwhelming job and a sense of winding down and new possibilities for the week.

There have also been times Sundays brought gloom and doom because I was working in a job that didnt speak to me, that was abusive and in many ways attempted to suck my creative joy. On those Sundays around 5pm I would feel the anxiety building, knowing that in a few hours I would be back off to the cubicle that neither I or it wanted to be a part of.

During my period of being "in between jobs" I have went through highs and lows. But in the last three weeks I have taken on a renewed sense of purpose and peace. This Sunday I spent my day having great heart to heart conversations with my husband, making a large breakfast of oatmeal, cheese eggs, honey biscuits and tea. I connected with amazing people via twitter, took a massive nap, did a leaf craft activity with our son and wrote out a long list titled "Things I have done and will do to move my dream of Lady Teror forward." I also have prayed and drank amazing french roast coffee.

We went on a leaf hunting adventure a couple days ago and pressed the leaves in a huge book. He glued them onto paper and used a pen to create a butterfly and a "baby with a leaf for his hair."

My favorite mug for sipping coffee. Its massive.

So my Sunday has been an amazing FUNday because I focused on the little things because its the little things that in reality are the Big things. I know my day has not been filled with anything too radical or revolutionary like screaming on a bullhorn for social justice on a corner, but to me living an authentic "enjoying the simple things" life is just as revolutionary and FUN!

HAVE an AMAZING and FUN Week! Also, check out my homegirl ManoyMetal and her adventures today. She is the creator of Sunday FUNday and super fun. ManoyMetal