Coleslaw T A L K
November ~ December Issue
? s i ’ n t w a y o h u a r l s c e o l W
…is a synergistic blend of women
sharing objective and spontaneous laughter through the variances of unique spiciness and
viewpoints, but let’s not forget the essence of
texture of the seasoned taste that spoons itself onto the pages.
…ingredients that last a second or
stretch to a whole precession from
Creative Writers,
Poetic Imagery, Spirit and Soul, and more.
…we invite all synergistic
blend of women writers to share their ingredients!
Musings that inspire you to Live, Laugh and Love!
In the Spirit...
Poetic Muse... Enlightening and Informational
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November-December 2011 Issue
From the Heart
Hello, My Name Is Oxymoron Porch Gossip
One Mo Thang
It’s Never Too Late Orange Gatorade
Honey Love Yo Self Melissa’s Story
From Head to Toe Women & Diabetes
In The Spirit Making Your Net Work
Just So You Know Universal Keys To Success
A Women’s Journey to Home Ownership
Poetic Muse I Am Women
A Women’s Prayer
Cover Photo by:
Kelly’s
images
From the Editor in Chief… I am so excited to bring “Coleslaw Talk” to you! I know you are like hmm… what exactly is Coleslaw Talk? Even after reading our definition, I’m sure you are still in awe. But that is exactly the reaction that I hoped to attain from the title and the many ingredients that will go into the magazine. Coleslaw Talk is not your typical ‘girl talk’ magazine. It’s not full of flowery adjectives to describe women, feminine tips on how to dress or cute tidbits for catching and keeping a man. It’s a change from the ordinary, a mixture of real talk, real feelings and real women. It’s here to meet you wherever you are in life! Because when you empower yourself, right where you are, then you can garner the courage to move forward! There is no need to pretend to be someone you are not, because God has made each of us uniquely for his purpose. His only desire is for us to elevate to a higher level in HIM. The words in Coleslaw Talk are here to empower, educate and enlighten every woman, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. Nothing is sugar coated. The stories and the words from Coleslaw Talk is the truth, uncensored… if you don’t see yourself in it, then you just don’t get it! So embrace Coleslaw Talk and all of its ingredients…take what you need, take more than what you need and empower a ‘sister’ who has yet to see her full potential. Notice I said yet, because once you have eaten, digested and savored a bowlful of Coleslaw Talk, your potential will be right there to greet you with open arms! Tell it right, tell it all and tell on time…….
Editor in Chief Gilda Morana
Contributing Writers Gilda “Moe” Morana Stephanie Suell
Senior Editor
Monique Davis
Editor In Chief
Graphic Design
Colette D. Jones
available in many locations throughout the midlands and other surrounding
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Marketing & Advertising Stephanie Suell
areas.
reserves the right to refuse to sell space for any advertise-
ment deemed inappropriate for the publication. Press releases must be received by the 1st of the month for the following online month’s issue. All content of this
magazine, including without limitation the design, advertisements, art, photos
Doug Charbonneau
Writers Liaison
is published online monthly and printed four times a year. It is
and editorial content, as well as the selection, coordination and arrangement
thereof, is Copyright© 2011, Journee Multi Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No
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ove L HONEY,
YO’self
TOOLS
for
Self Worth
INTERVENTION
Journal: spiral notebook, journal or notebook with paper. Date and time each entry. Good pen : write clearly and legibly your thoughts and journal your journey Index cards : write down affirmations that affirm and reinforce positivity, place them your car, bathroom mirrors, bedroom, and/or as bookmarks
© Monique “1MOpoeticSoul” D.
In the never-ending quest to know oneself, one must undergo endless introductions to you, to your own self. Step into the mirror and view “you” in front of “you”. This not only forces one to look deeply at oneself but to look even deeper within. The spiritual journey begins from the very moment you began to look within. that spiritual journey with the four most important individuals in your life or should I say in mine… GOD, me, myself and I. See, one must first have a committed relationship with self. Self value, self worth, appreciation of that person you arise with every dawn and lay down with at every dusk is the one that ultimately controls your mechanisms of loving and embracing “you”. It truly sickens me when I hear folks sing reprises of the same song,, “I wish I had someone to love me, I need someone to love me”.. But it all begins with “self”. You would be very surprised at just how much you can love you. Loving someone comes easy and second nature when you are in the love with the shadow that follows you. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm… Amen to that thought that resonated from within me while scripting. Breathing brand new breaths by day challenges me to see the many faces and versatility I embody. True, we are not perfect beings and should be striving for perfection, but the joy of learning and placing oneself in your own class is quite an experience. Learning about yourself is not only essential to your personal growth but, oh my, it is aaaahmazing. Like, I am at times in awe, yet just smile like my my,,, “my God ain’t make no mess”. This is something we must be reminded of. No matter what type of funk we may be in, always be reminded that we are all
creations of God and He ain’t make no mistakes nor did he make any trash. We are all special beings in our own birthrights. It crosses my mind at times, like, I wonder what is God thinking of when He sees His seeds trying to figure out life and sometimes is He nodding His head, like,, “my my my”…..” if only they would use the tools I have equipped them with”. Because whether we realize it or not, we have the tools and power to do awesome things but, the confidence and knowledge of self and self’s abilities must be known. Tapping into the power that dwells from within is too, another expedition or should I say an odyssey. In order for one to truly be secure with oneself, it begins from “within”… Connect to the power of the Most High GOD and meditate in silence. You would be absolutely in splendid awe of what silence and listening can create in your spiritual sanction. We inhabit the power to do all things and with such, we must exhibit this with confidence and sincere character… In the spirit of inspiring, I challenge those within my inner circle constantly to simply gravitate to the peace from within and allow the power of the most high to move. It is my belief that if we truly activate our faith and surround ourselves with the positive ingredient, the flavor of life is so much sweeter and creates much needed balance for what we must encounter and will experience in our day to day routines. Applying a ritual of positivity and spiritual practices enhances clarity and too, it sprinkles joys of happiness and a smile from within.
I AM WOMAN By Colette D. Jones
I Am Woman In His image I reflect virtuosity
I Am Woman My rib contains the world’s heritage
I Am Woman My womb cradles the inheritance, laboring birthrights; I produce the fruit of empowerment
I Am Woman Breastfeeding your dreams, I change your nightmares by replacing them with vision
I Am Woman Author of legacies I teach optimism in chaotic times
I Am Woman Queen of cultures spearing history with a rhythm that everyone can feel
I Am Woman My global sweat permeates hope that colors the Earth
I Am Woman Nurturing a nation through cries that encourages hate to embrace love
I Am Woman My eyes previously shadowed by adversity, I raise my head with a scarf of honor and paint my lips wit independence
I Am Woman My throat once suffraged by restriction, I sing of your liberties and write free expression on the walls of civilization
I Am Woman My heart beats a love that flows internationally
I Am Woman Altar calls on knees scented by tears that pray for humanity
A Womans Prayer By Colette D. Jones
Lord, here I am I come to you now pleading the Blood of the Lamb You sent Your only Son so that I can live Without Your grace and compassion I would have nothing to give I come to you as a woman asking you to condition my spirit, mind and heart I beseech You Father to let the Holy Spirit abide in me and never depart Enrich me O Lord as I go from day to day Guide my words and deeds through Your will and way I petition you Father to help me to cultivate and nurture my relationship with You I trust You O Lord because there is nothing that You can’t do Help me God to be a virtuous woman, a good wife Endow me O Lord with patience to make it through toils and strife Create in me O Lord the wisdom needed to be a mother Help me in all my ways to respect You because my strength lies with none other You have blessed me with a wonderful husband, father of my children, a man I ask that you purge and anoint him daily with the Holy Spirit as only you can Father send Your angels to encompass my family when we are not together Lord, keep Your loving arms around them because Your mercy endureth forever I praise you O Lord and I am thanking you in advance For all that You have done and especially for giving me this chance
HELLO,
My name is
OXYMORON BY JERLEAN S. NOBLE
You can say the oxymoron I identify with is “A Fine Mess” because that ‘s how I found myself most of the time. I am a sixty year old survivor of been there, done that, got a t-shirt. So of all the things that I’ve been through including a few drinks and more than a few smokes, the worst thing, or shall I say the best thing God delivered me from was a sadistic, onesided beat-me-to-the-ground bad marriage. Living to tell the story is one thing, but living to relive the story so that others may survive is another. I believe I can say I live the life of an oxymoron. I am the queen of contradictory living. No pain, no gain is one of the biggest lies I ever heard, but then again, without the pain I would not have gained the wisdom I have now to help other women who are going through domestic violence. There must have been one life size drop of blood that Jesus shed just for me; because if one fingernail had been unprotected, my ex-husband, God rest the dead good, would have broken it off and I would have bled to death.
Suffice to say, I’m a walking testimony. I still have all of my limbs although one is a slightly crooked from being bent over too far. I still have most of my teeth because God sent the tooth maker which made up for those lost. Can’t blame the man for all of my hair loss but certainly he helped bring on the alopecia. However, glory be to God wigs are in and thanks to lacefront, I now have a visible scalp. Anyway, through it all, I wrote a book about my time as an abused wife and have developed a program entitled “Empowering Women to Write from Heel to Heal. It’s been sobering (to borrow a phrase from my drunk days) to see these women’s eyes open to get them to write that poison out of their system, and to realize their worth and walk away. I pray that every woman will look up and understand that God has not only made you a beautiful woman not as an afterthought but as a soul thought. We are chosen to be individual strong, intelligent, empowered, independent vessels. We are meant to be leaders with high morals, self-esteem and integrity. We are indeed special. I don’t care how many men want to be women, not one can birth a child. They’re not equipped physically or mentally. We are not door mats, but door keepers. We are not meant to be beat on but to be loved and protected. These men better recognize, if it wasn’t for us there would be no them, no future, because only women come equipped with the plumbing. They’d better recognize.
Today, more and more households are headed by strong and resilient women. In the midst
Karren Hill Gordon Cell: 803.767.7172
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of working long hours and raising their children, many women fail to realize that owning a home is within reach. Understanding the home buying process and cultivating trusting relationships with key professionals makes the journey less intimidating. Knowledge is power and women become even more powerful as they make informed decisions on where to live and how to acquire to best mortgage to meet their needs. let negative reports and attitudes on the current economy steer you away from exDo ploring the American dream of home ownership! While interest rates are still very attractive and various incentives are available to purchase a home, I would encourage all my sisters to assess their individual situation and make a decision today. If you are interested in purchasing a home, evaluate your credit and savings. There are professionals available to assist you with getting your credit scores and budgets in the zone to place you in a good buying position. Do not make a decision in haste, instead, gain as much knowledge as you can and begin the wonderful journey to home ownership. Connect with a licensed real estate broker/agent to assist you with identifying property, pricing and negotiating terms on your behalf. Explore your financial options for financing your home. Be prepared to pay for home inspections to determine if you want to proceed with the deal, review the builder warranty for new construction and request a home warranty for resale property. For more detailed information on purchasing a home and learning more about the local market trends, contact me at 803-767-7172 or karren.gordon@gmail.com.
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By Stephanie Suell
Growing up, many of my summers were spent in a small southern town called Spartanburg. Although, there was not much to do, as small children, we managed to find fun. Our summer days were spent outside the majority of the time, playing . Mud pies and climbing trees became our entertainment , jumping rope and arguing over games of and our skin seemed immune to the blistering sun that beamed down each day. We would never ask to go inside early. Too afraid we would miss something, we constantly searched for new adventures until we were called in for dinner or bed. My great grandmother and aunt would sit on the front porch and talk endlessly on most days. They whispered back and forth between the snaps of fresh green beans and okra; talking nonstop about the day’s events, neighborhood gossip or family members who had gone awry. Trying to avoid the ears of curious children they leaned in close to each other, shaking their heads in disappointment or laughing aloud when their funny bone was tickled. Little did they know we had big ears and we were tuned into their every word, sticking our little noses in grown folks business. “Child did you see that gal’s dress today when she stepped into that wedding, she was sharp wasn’t she?” My grandmother would start the conversation. “Sharp as a tack,” my aunt would follow, nodding her head in agreement. “I am so glad that she finally got herself together after all that mess that she has been through.” All through the summer months we would hear bits and pieces of interesting stories, intriguing info that filled our inquisitive young minds. Every day the stories grew more fascinating. Each week held a new twist and we looked forward to hearing what would happen next. “Now what on earth is that woman messing with that child’s husband for, she is crazy I tell you!” “I know one thing, when and if he does come out that coma, somebody is going to pay.” We wondered whom the folks were that my grandmother and aunt chatted about on a daily basis. Nobody around town seemed to have that much excitement going on. It was hard for us to imagine anyone around Spartanburg having that much drama in his or her life. For us, Sparkle City was bland and dull and by the end of the summer we looked forward to going home for school. “You could see Spartanburg from the stoop,” my uncle always said and it didn’t have enough people to consider anyone a stranger. The only excitement that awaited us as young kids was wondering what was for lunch or dinner for that matter, but yet the stories continued. “Child did you see that boy’s face when she walked up in there?” “I bet he wishes that she would have just stayed her behind in New York.” Our imaginations would soon get the best of us as we tried to decipher whose life was so full of chaos. Could they live in the neighborhood, or even worse right under our noses on the same street? Grandma and Auntie never seemed to travel far. They went to church on Sunday and Bible study on Wednesday nights. Aunt Maggie had choir rehearsal on Friday and Ladies Auxiliary meetings on Thursday. So how did they ever have time to attend the parties and weddings they always talked about? Maybe it was someone we knew; perhaps it was Ms Kraft across the street. The elderly, reserved lady who sat on her porch all day seemed quiet enough, but as my aunt often preached, “The quiet ones are the ones you have to watch out for.” She would nod, and stretch her eyebrow, winking at me with a smile. Then there was Mr. Raft, the neighborhood drunk, who could become unruly on most evenings. Mr. Raft had a slight temper and often picked fights with anyone who would take the time to acknowledge him. He seemed harmless though and most evenings he was shooed back to his home by our grandmother, if he didn’t fall asleep on his front porch first. Piece by piece, our little minds begin to put clues together and by the end of the summer, we were confident that we had it all figured out. My grandmother and aunt’s porch gossip was no longer a secret and when I returned home for school, my tongue worked overtime telling my mother what I had learned. “Really?” she would respond with a smile. “Grandma at a party, how unusual?” she eyed me curiously as I talked non stop. My brain working into a frenzy to keep up with my tongue. This game of tattletale continued every year. I was proud to be the bearer of top-secret information. My grandmother and aunt’s secret life was out and it was time that they come clean or at least let everyone else in on their fun. I smiled inside, feeling content with the fact that I was privileged to some of the family’s best-kept secrets and I guarded it with my life. I grew up with a keen satisfaction that I, and only I, knew the real deal on my grandmother and aunt’s secret shindigs around town. They should be ashamed of themselves! I bragged to my cousins, poking my chest out proudly, letting them know that maybe they too would be privileged to know the family secrets, if they treated me nice. It was only after reaching my late teens that I realized that the entertaining stories that kept me intrigued for so many years, were nothing more than the discussion of the daytime soap operas that came on T.V everyday!
WOMEN WITH DIABETES
by Brianna Cole-Blake The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. (Psalm 27: 1, 3) Hey sis how’s it going It going ok I guess What’s with the disappointment in your voice? I just went to the doctor and I was diagnosed with diabetes, my world is over, I don’t how I can survive with this sickness. Well sister girl as long as you keep praying you can get through anything That’s not true I don’t believe in your God any more. How could he give me a disease I didn’t ask for…? I called on him and he didn’t answer, he doesn’t love me How dare you speak badly upon the Lord, he is the only one who will help you through this and save your soul. You better get on your knees and ask him for forgiveness, he says “if you deny him in front of man he will deny you in front of his father” ask him to make you stronger and he will bless you…. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17) But No but, don’t you ever question Gods plan, because little do you know, you can help someone else who lost their faith, from a little sickness….No matter how hard it gets sister you never stop having faith in God, you’re not the only woman in the world with this disease. So what should I do sister? You should do some research…. Let me explain some things to you sister, Let me tell you a little of what I know. More than 1 million people are living with diabetes, and only half know they have it. 28 million are women age 20 and older. Diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes comes in four different forms. Type 1 diabetes known as insulin dependent, which means the pancreas, does not produce little or no insulin. Often found from infancy to 30 years of age. This is considered the adolescence phase, seeing as it is harder for them to control the disease. Type 2 is known as non-insulin-dependent this can urbanized after age 40, but children can obtain it also. In this form of diabetes the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body does not produce enough. The third type, Monogenic Diabetes is from mutation in a single gene defined as monogenic due to its rareness; this is a combination of Type 1 and 2 diabetes diseases, developing these particular types of diabetes is related to multiple genes. The Fourth type, Gestational Diabetes appears in pregnant women because they develop high blood sugar. Usually after the baby is born there is a chance of developing type 2 diabetes. This is known as the reproductive years which gives the women more stability to control her disease, because she is more active in her life from her responsible career, schooling, marriage and taking care of her kids. During a woman’s Middle age Year diabetes are considered a physiologic events known as menopause, this is a time where physiological lifestyles change from divorce, death, and also retirement, this increases the disease harmful matter. As you get older during the years diabetes becomes vulnerable because of disability, other illnesses and poverty. Older women deal with lack of a support system. ….But sister it’s not over yet! Symptoms include Frequent urination , Drowsiness, Sugar in urine, Sudden vision changes, Increased appetite, & Sudden weight loss. Research has shown 15 percent of people with type 1 diabetes will develop it from a relative, a sibling, parent, or offspring. So there is a history behind it. You can never grow out of diabetes but according to JDF he promises to find a cure and produce more treatment to live a healthy life. Take advantage of the people, products, and other resources available to you. Thankfully there are powerful solutions to keep your life going. Eat a balanced diet and seeing a dietitian every one to two years can be helpful to your diabetic life. Exercise at least three to four times a week for 20 to 40 minutes. Exercise can improve blood sugars, decrease the risk of heart disease and help you lose weight. Get plenty of sleep; sleep will help you keep your blood sugar levels in good control. Sisters if you smoke quit, it’s not good for the body at all. Remember to always stay knowledgeable about diabetes, information changes rapidly. So continue learning about diabetes to maintain and improve your health … See sisters having diabetes isn’t the end of the world after all. It’s not over until God says it’s over. Psalm 103:3-4 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgive all your sins and heal all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
Orange Gatorade In 2006, my Mother was diagnosed with her second round of Ovarian Cancer. When her health began to fade, my learning began. My biggest lesson in was learned at my mother’s bed side. Although I was struggling with the ability to accept what was happening, I tried my best to find God’s light in the dark hours that surrounded me and my family during that time. My mother was changing before my eyes, mentally and physically. Some days were better than others; she required around the clock care and I aided my father as much as I could. On most days I enjoyed sitting with my mother, soaking up her presence. I wanted to learn everything I could from her, because she had always been my spiritual teacher, assisting me with life and helping me to make it through troubled times.
take of the juice. After several gulps, my mother clapped her hands together as a gleeful child, leaving them in the prayer position. “Thank God,” she whispered. I looked at her, her eyes were closed. Waiting in anticipation, I was anxious to hear what my mother was thanking God for at this time. “Thank God,” she said again, “Thank God for flavor.”I smiled and laid my mother’s head back upon the pillow. How unfortunate that some of us take our ability to enjoy life and its simple pleasures for granted. We often don’t realize how important the small things are, especially to those who don’t experience them every day. Sight, sound and touch for many can be such a rare and precious
From the Heart
Creative Musing that inspire you to
live, laugh & love
continuously on your journey.
Head to Toe
Inspiring of mind, taking care of our
WHOM, I cried out to God , WHO
will be there to help me make it now?
On Mother’s Day 2006, I was sitting with my mother, she lay on the bed, staring at the TV, which we kept on to liven the atmosphere. I’m sure that her mind was elsewhere. She asked for something to drink and I reached for her cup that sat on the table beside her. It was filled with her favorite beverage, orange Gatorade. At that time my mom’s taste buds had begun to wane, but the coolness of any refreshing liquid on her tongue always made her smile. “When I get to heaven, I want God to have me a big ole cup of nice cold orange Gatorade.” She said on many occasions. I laughed at her and looked into her glossy weak eyes, “Mom I am sure that he will have an abundance of it on hand.”At that moment, I tilted my mom’s head forward, aiding her as she placed her frail fingers around the cup so she could par-
Glossary
commodity. Yet if we have never been without the gifts that God has bestowed upon us, we can never know the joy of experiencing it for the first time. God had allowed my mother an opportunity to savor the flavor of her favorite cold beverage. The tingle of her taste buds prompted her to thank God for a small blessing of flavor…one that many of us have never had to do without. How important it is for us to acknowledge God for the small things, that are a part of our life, the ability to hear the birds chirp, to see the flowers in bloom and to touch the softness of a child’s cheek, makes our world complete and yet these things are often forgot about throughout the day. I truly believe that if we are diligent and thank God for the small things He would be fervent and give us the big desires of our heart.
body and enhancing our soul.
In the Spirit
Inspirations that meet you no matter where you are.
Just So You Know Enlightening & information.
Poetic Muses
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One Mo’ Thang Good Mornin’ Dear Fatha Lemme git ma self sichiated hear By Monique Davis Now…Listen, I kno ya busy, an got enuf on yo plate. Folks warrin’ against eachotha, earth lookin’ lak a garbage dump, While dey leavin’ mo’ garbage on da moon. People actin’ crazy ‘cause dey dis-spirited, ain’t got no spirit. Babies cryin’ ‘cause dey hongrey. Lord hab mercy. Um. But listen, I ain’t gonna talk long, I jes wanna kno when is ma time comin’, o is dis it? I mean Really. I’d like somebody ta be ta me, like I am ta dem. Seem like thas very hard ta do. You kno, refleckt eachotha? Now, I thank Ya fo da compny ya been sendin’ me. An I sho don’t mean ta look a gif horse n da mouf, but can’t cha send em ta somebody else? ‘Cause I can’t do Nothin’ wid nobody thas fo’ hundred pounds. He looked lik a Big ole Upside down Triangle, lookin’ lik a Beetle walkin’ on its hine legs. I commence ta think I was da Biggess Loosah Now listen, I ma tell ya ‘cause you kno I’m single, an dat Care Package ya sent me, he’s single too, so dey ain’t no shame hear. But, I kno ya saw it…liftin’ up dat belly wid one arm, an usin’ da otha arm ta try, wid All his might ta do whatever he was tryin’ ta do. Da bottom line? It didn’t work. It Did Not Work! I wanted ta tell that man, “Do you kno I got betta thangs ta do, steada watchin’ you fumblin’ yo way ta no where? An he knu he was comin’ by fo’ dat ‘Special Little Visit’, why he gotta come wid dried up gravy drippins on his shirt? An about dat chain Lord, what man do you kno…well, you do kno em. But lik I say, memba how dat chain was wrapped ‘roun the sock on his ankle? That thang lok lik the circulation was ‘bout ta be cut off. If dat chain could talk, hab mercy. Only thang we’d hear would be, “Ugh, ugh, ugh”. Fo hundered pounds, wid a chain wrapped ‘roun his leg. One a dem Ankle Let Chains…ova a sock! Squeezin’ da ever lovin’ life outta him. Thas ridiclus. That don’t make no sense. That don’t make no kinna sense. An anotha thang, I’ma stop assin’ em do dey wanna cup a coffee, a glassa juice, some wahdah, or dinnah? ‘Cause dey Always say, “Yeah”, not emum, “Yes”, like dey got some sense. An getta attitude when ya ass em ta wash dey hands befo ya serve em Yo food! I’ma Stop Dat. They don’t bring nothin’ to da table no way, ‘cept dey behines ta sit down. Thank Ya fa givin’ me mannas, an teachin’ me ta be curdius, but…I’ma Stop Dat. Now back ta Sugah lump. O.K., so he gotta little problem. We can work around dat, around dat, an… around dat. Ha-ha, I’m jes messin’ wid cha Lord, but he don’t eben talk. Don’t open his mouf. He jes sit dere, mumblin’,”Oom-hum”, an rockin’ back an foth. “Oom-hum”. Afta while I couldn’t take it , ya kno? I looked at Evarythang there was ta see…in My house. Him rockin’, an me sittin’ dere, lookin’ at shit S’cuse me, um, um, um. I don’t need Nobody feelin’ sorry fo me. Sistah Juanita took it pon ha self ta have some young man ring ma phone. Well, You were dere Assin’ me, “What I look like”? Tellin’ me he gonna come see me an’ if he ain’t “Feelin’ Me”, he’s leavin’ I couldn’t Wait fa him ta leave. One good eye, da otha one fake, bad teeth, an one a dem dirty, nasty lookin’ ‘Do Rags’ on his head. If he ain’t “Feelin’ Me”, what is dat? I ain’t a hate-a, I’m jes tired Lord. Tired a dease numb skulls. Dey eitha braggin’ ‘bout what dey do have, o mumblin’ ‘bout what dey don’t have. Lord have mercy- Please stop dease fools from callin’ me. Sen em ta somebody das good fo’ dem. Das Perfek fo’ dem. ‘Cause you kno, I’ll tell em n a red hot minute, “Ya’ll don got me confused…it’s Sweet Jesus das patient an fa givin. Who looks pass all da imperfections. I ain’t got no time fa no foolishness. An I ain’t gonna stan fo it. An that crazy man who call me, talkin’ bout, “Fix me some coffee, I’m comin’ ova” In the middle of da night! All yo creatures sleepin’, even da crickets, an this fool talkin’ ‘bout some coffee! If dat ain’t da limit. Memba when I ast him if he was Crazee? I declair dat Fool done loss his mine. Hum, bes he call one ob dem little ole psalm singin’, church goin’ ladies thas gonna get out ha bed, run outside an pluck dem nuts off da trees, pull dem taters out da groun, ring dat chickens’ neck, an hava full course meal n one hour, plus a pot a coffee from Brazil dat she done climbed mountains ta git to, an hav dat mess waitin’ fa hem n record breakin’ time. Yeah, he need ta call one a dem, ‘cause they be ovajoyed ta hear his raspy voice. All talcummed up an ready ta go! All fa one minute of ecstasee. One Minute! An spend da resta da night quotin’ hem scriptures while he’s sleep, in ha bed! Please Lord, Please. I ain’t goin’ dat route, das why I’m comin’ ta You Dear Lord. Like I said. I kno ya busy, an got Plenney on yo mine, so I’ma leave it in yo hans. I ain’t assin’ fa nothin’ Perfek, ‘cause dey don’t get no mo Perfek than you, jes somebody who’s considerate, can say, ”Thank Ya, an “Please”, an be clean wid dey spirit, they body, an finganails An one mo’ thang please, somebody that ain’t livin’ n a room, wid they stuff in storage, an gotta job. They ain’t gotta have no car, ‘cause I ain’t got no car. But, jes like You my witness…they hafta have bus fare! Thank Ya, I’ma let cha go now.
By Becky DeWitt
There are many people who love to fish. For some, it is a business, a competitive sport and others a hobby. If you have ever spoken with a person who loves to fish, they can be really passionate about it. They have a wealth of wisdom and knowledge as to how they get results. Even though they each use various methods, there is one thing in common; they know how to get results. In the New Testament, there are two accounts of an extraordinary catch of fish. Of course these accounts involve the some of the first disciples. The books of Matthew and Mark on mention the public call of the disciples. “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 4:19). But the book of Luke, chapter 5 gives details of the event that lead to the call. These were seasoned fisherman who had been out all night and there were no results for all of their efforts. Imagine that they are just coming in and washing their nets, and Jesus is preaching on shore. Of course, He would have their attention because of the multitude of people that were listening. Then Jesus gets into one their boats and says, “launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught.” (Luke 5:4). I wonder how intently the fishermen were listening to what Jesus was saying prior to his getting into the boat. Was their faith built up to the point of “nevertheless at the word?” (Luke 5:5). Have you ever wondered what He said? Because everything that Jesus said and did, is not written. (John 21:25). Was there something in His voice that gave them just enough faith to be a part of the miracle that was yet to manifest? The catch was so great that the nets broke and they had to call the other ship for help. Both ships were so full that they began to sink. This miracle opened Peter eyes to the revelation of who Jesus was. Immediately he fell at Jesus’ feet and confessed his sin. He recognized the Holy One. At this point the fishermen left everything to follow Jesus. It only takes one encounter with Jesus to turn and change the direction of your life. At the end of spending time with Jesus, about three years, and experiencing His death, burial and resurrection, the disciples have the experience of another catch. In John, chapter 21, Jesus appeared to some of His disciples. They had been out all night fishing as it was their custom. Once again they caught nothing. Picture this scene. The resurrected Jesus is standing on the shore and asks, “children, have ye any meat?” (John 21:5). The answer was no. Again Jesus tells them where to cast their nets. Of course the multitude of the catch was so heavy that they could not lift it. At this point one of the disciples recognized the stranger on shore and said, “It is the Lord.” (John 21:7). Instantly when Peter heard this, he threw off his outer garments. He stripped down to the basics and threw himself in the sea. Just like the first catch, it took two boats to bring it in. Now this was the third time that Jesus appeared unto the disciples after His resurrection. One would think that even if they could not recognize Him because of their distance from the shore, distance from Him, that they would recognize His voice and the term that He addressed them, children. After spending three years with Jesus, surely they could recognize His voice. But could it be the distance from the resurrected Lord that hinders their ability? The most interesting part of this encounter is that Jesus is already on shore cooking a fish sandwich when they arrived. He has bread and fish on the fire. Then He says, “bring of the fish which ye have now caught.” (John 21: 10). Peter brings the net full of fish to the count of 153 and the net was not broken. None was lost. There has always been a great need for evangelism, but these are the days that have been written about and it is urgent that the gospel be told. When the disciples first met Jesus and launched out into the deep for the catch, their nets were not strong and stable enough to hold every fish, which resulted in the breaking of the nets. Notice that after spending three years with Jesus, on the next catch the nets held every fish and even gave a count. Even though the leading of the Holy Spirit will direct us to those that are ripe for the harvest, once we cast the net, it must hold them to bring them to Jesus. Successful evangelism at this time will require much time with Jesus in meditation, prayer, praise and worship. This time spent with Him will wash our nets as well as mend them in the areas that we may not be aware of that are torn. As we are lights on the earth, we must keep oil in our lamps so that they burn brightly and not become dim. I wonder as the Father looks down from the throne room how many lights are fire hot, burning brightly, and how many are just flickering dimly? Can you see in the ocean of people that are waiting for you to cast your net? All different types with every kind of problem in deep places that many will not even dare to go. Will you become seasoned and passionate in the way you throw you net? Bring them to Jesus and remember what He told Peter. Jesus said “feed my lambs once and feed my sheep twice.” A lamb is a young sheep. Will you serve the gospel, the good news, the truth, the love, to those that you encounter? Is your net ready? “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” (Matthew 45-46)
It’s Never Too Late... By Lami ***
It was a traditional marriage taken to the extreme. My mother lived under every decision he made down to how long they stayed at family gatherings. Throughout their entire marriage, my father was controlling and belittling to my mother. Due to my father’s possessive reign, my mother missed out on enjoying friendships, social outings and any other personal interests that could have offered her support throughout difficult times. As my brother, sister and I became adults and started our own families, my mother realized just how much she was missing. Our own father was terribly jealous of us as we were growing up and it became even worse when we became older. Mama was able to spend only very limited time with her children, sons-in-laws and grandchildren as years went on. Asking for permission to visit us and leaving only to face the wrath when she returned, became just too stressful on everyone. After fifty plus years, Mama finally found the courage to leave. The day my mother decided to leave my father and his awful, abusive control was the day she started breathing again. In this moment in time of her life when there should’ve been a new, happy, burden free life, once again, she began to lose her independence. During the winter of 2008, my mother began showing signs of confusion. I started noticing moments when Mama wasn’t Mama. She visited a series of doctors who evaluated her and all came up with the same diagnosis… dementia. Her diagnosis seemed surreal, but her memory issues were real and targeted. I knew she would not be able to manage her business affairs and appointments by herself anymore, and I knew that she would need assistance, patience and support. I also knew that assisted living or hiring caregivers were not the right solutions for my Mama. What she needed was to be with her children. With that nothing meant more to me but to move Mama close to me. And with the help of my siblings, husband and daughter, we are all working together to do what she has always done for us….be there! Although Mama’s dementia is following the patterns of Alzheimer’s disease, Mama lives independently in her own home and enjoys the companionship of her two dogs. She is in great physical health and enjoys arranging flowers, playing the organ and shopping. I assist Mama with paying bills, maintaining her home, and attending medical appointments. My little girl loves to spend the night with Nana.
They play restaurant, do makeovers and eat endless bowls of ice cream. I never thought that in my early forties, I would need to be a caregiver to my mom. Early on before her diagnosis, I was working traditional hours. Fortunately for me, I’ve been able to rearrange my work schedule where I have flexibility several days per week to assist Mama. I love the fact that we have this special time together. We have always had a close relationship and I have the joy of having her as one of my very best friends and closest confidant. Learning of my mother’s diagnosis has demanded careful time management and prioritization; juggling a career, family, Mama’s needs, and personal time. Since her diagnosis three years ago my mother has improved. She is happier and physically stronger. While experiencing moments of confusion and anger periodically, she is a gentle, yet brilliant and optimistic soul. She has survived many obstacles including escaping a fifty plus year difficult marriage, surviving the removal of an 8-pound mass and is now courageously fighting her battle against a horrible disease. She is a strong, courageous woman and the most important thing she has taught me is to be compassionate. My mother did an incredible job raising three happy, successful children. We are all funny, talented and enjoy giving of ourselves to others. The woman we encouraged to leave years ago isn’t the woman that’s escaped. And even though we know that time froze for Mama we look forward to many more happy memories with Mama and to a lifetime of celebrating her gifts.
H EALT H Y SO UT H CARO L INA CAM PAIGN OUR STORY (WHY ACT NOW?)
Columbia Campaign Healthy Community Health Issues Assembly Monday, November 14, 2011 6:00pm Alcorn Middle School 5125 Fairfield Road WE INVITE YOU to join the Healthy Columbia Campaign Team for improving the health of 29203; be a part of the campaign decision making process to take meaningful action. Healthy Columbia campaign leaders are asking you to support health and wellness in your community. Get off the sidelines and join the campaign for a healthy Columbia.
For more information: Dr. Stu Hamilton - shamilton@ecchc.org Margey Bolen - mbolen@scha.org Terri Jowers - tjjowers@gmail.com
www.ecchc.org
Melissa’s Story Melissa was a twenty-six year-old athletic woman. She worked in a small landscaping company that dropped its health insurance coverage because of escalating costs. Unable to afford individual insurance, Melissa sought episodic care at her local hospital’s emergency department for five years and had no regular checkups. She relied on her youth and good health. On a warm summer morning, Melissa was showering at home when she noticed a small lump in her left breast. Melissa knew the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. She acted quickly but encountered a series of frustrated attempts to obtain medical services, with providers saying she had to pay in full or wait six weeks for testing and consultation. She eventually received help from a community health center, where a doctor arranged for a mammogram and surgical consultation. Melissa’s boss had wanted to help her. He nearly cried when he told the staff he was dropping health insurance. The cost of $1,000 per employee per month had simply been too much for his small business to bear. Now, he and his family were without health insurance too.
Melissa’s gynecologist, who hadn’t seen her in six years, tried to find a surgeon to open his schedule and take Melissa as a “charity case,” but to no avail. She was heartsick about the outcome. She wondered whether all her medical training and experience mattered if people weren’t getting checkups and treatment was not available in a timely fashion. Melissa’s pastor tried to intervene too. He called the local hospital to see if Melissa could get a break on the cost of surgery and chemotherapy. Melissa’s mother stood by, helplessly, as the drama surrounding Melissa’s care unfolded. It was another three months before Melissa found out that there was a Medicaid program available especially for uninsured breast and cervical cancer patients and it was another month to get everything processed and care started. There were too many delays. By the time Melissa entered the hospital, the cancer had spread. Over the next two years Melissa underwent expensive chemo and radiation therapies, as well as multiple operations. She visited the ER six times, spent four months in the hospital, suffered severe pain, and lost all of her savings and home because she was unable to work. Melissa’s parents spent a large part of their retirement to care for her. Melissa died at age twenty-eight.
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Next Issue …
Be on the look out for new and exciting stories in the January-March issue such as:
STEVI E
Female THE ALPHA
POLITICKIN WOMEN
D E T N WA Coleslaw T A L K
All of us from
Coleslaw T A L K
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’ r d u n Y a o u o Y ish W appy Holidays! H ! r a o e y u n y e e x t e S
Coming This Winter from Young Gifted Writers!