Domestic Violence - Don't Suffer in Silence

http://msmo72.multiply.com/video/item/34/Syleena_Johnson_-_Hit_on_Me_
This is real music with a powerful message!

Quote of the Day 10/29/2009

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Quote of the Day: "The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy." ~Sam Levenson, (1911 - 1980) ~

Lord knows me & Muda could attest to this one when it came to my mother/her daughter! LOL

She Would've Been 21 Today...

http://msmo72.multiply.com/video/item/131/Missing_You_-_Happy_Birthday_Tyra
My baby sister would've been legal today. I miss her so much.

Family First?

What would you do?

Stay out of it & keep your mouth shut. After all, Family First!

 

 2

Address your loved one & let it go.

 

 4

Address your loved one & give an ultimatum, i.e. dropping a dime to new boo.

 

 0

Tell new boo your loved one isn't worth it & to move on.

 

 0

Tell the ex he/she has been replaced & to move on.

 

 0

Arrange a meeting between the 3 and let them duke it out.

 

 0

Arrange a meeting between new boo & the ex & let them duke it out.

 

 0

Other - please leave a comment.

 

 1

Here's a scenario for your comments/feedback.

Your loved one meets someone, a good someone, probably too good for your loved one (you know your people & you know who & what kinda of people they deserve..don't play). 

The new couple seems to hit it off OK  & you're actually relieved he/she has found someone new.  However, unbeknownst to new boo, your loved one is still involved with his/her alleged ex.   New boo & the ex know about each other, but that's about all. 

You/your family really likes new boo & actually prefers him/her over the ex, but give the situation time to play out. 

After a period time, you realize your loved one is either playing games, can't decide between the two or just being greedy/selfish in regards to the non-conventional 3-some.  Even tho your loved one has developed feelings for new boo & he/she just can't/won't let the ex go. 

Considering the history with the ex is less than desirable & there are no other ties (property, kids, etc.), would you (see poll)....?

Feel free to comment as you like.

 

Muda Would've Been 93. Happy Birthday Grandma!

http://msmo72.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Happy_Birthday_Muda_1916_-_2000

There's No Santa?!

Did you ever believe in Santa Claus & if so, when did you stop?

I found out there was no Santa when I was about 6 or 7. Even tho I had my own room at my grandparent's home, I always slept in the bed with Muda. {Man I miss those days.}

Muda had this huge bed (for those who have been to my home, it was just like mine). I'm a very wild sleeper & I used to have a tendency to fall out of the bed on occasion. This particular Christmas Eve, I fell out of the bed & when I got up Muda was gone. Now this wasn't unusual because she was a night owl & was always up piddling around. I went to the kitchen 1st because that's where I usually found her, but tonight she wasn't there. I went to Papa's room & he was gone too! {Muda & Papa's separate rooms will be blogged about soon.}

I went back to Muda's room when I heard voices. I realized the voices were coming from the living room. I tiptoed to the living room & there they were! Muda & Papa putting our gifts under the tree! My eyes damn near popped outta my head. I tiptoed back to Muda's room & climbed in bed. I don't think slept a wink after getting a glimpse of what was under that tree for me.

I was so happy the next morning I think I laid in bed just long enough for day to break & off to the living room I went! I was a little mad woman ripping open boxes & ripping off bows.

A few hours later my Mama & Bill show up with these 2 huge hefty bags with the stuff "Santa left at their house" for us. I was in heaven!

I later whispered to my mama that I knew there was no Santa Claus, but she disagreed. I kept telling her I knew the truth & she finally asked me how did I "think" I knew. I told her I saw Muda & Papa putting the gifts under the tree the night before. She made me promise never to tell my sister & I never did.

Now the funny part of this story is that my mother, God rest her soul, was a hateful wench, (her mother's words, not mine).  She knew there was no Santa and my granny warned her not to tell my uncle because he still believed.  Well my mama, got in a mood and when my uncle was talking about Santa, his loving big sis said, "C'mere boy! (dragging him to my grandmother's closet) Ain't no damn Santa Claus!"   Legend has it that my uncle burst into tears & told my granny what happened when she got home & my granny beat the dogsled shit outta my hateful ass mama for ruining her baby boy's Christmas.

The Meanest Thing Ever Said

I've always been one to speak my mind & have many memories of the split and busted lips I suffered during my teen years to prove it.  Those close to me know I'm not one to call shit Shinola (lawd I just dated myself didn't I?), nor will you piss on my head & tell me it raining.  It's just not happening.  I do not sugarcoat....maybe to a fault. 

I do make an honest effort not to be rude, crude or hurtful, but sometimes the truth hurts.   If you ask me, I will be honest.  My close friends and family have learned to tell me first if they just want an ear.  In turn, I've learned to keep my comments to myself.

Muda, my granny, my rock was the person who said the most hurtful thing ever said to me.  One day she was combing my hair (which was no easy task) and she said and I quote, "Your mother had to go & marry the blackest man she could find."  *sigh*  Here I am, not more than 8 or 9 years old wondering what the hell was wrong with my daddy.  I knew she loved my daddy & couldn't figure out why she would say such a thing about him.   Even tho my Grandfather & Step-Grandfather were two of the biggest, blackest men I'd even seen in my life, my granny was still color-struck. 

After that day, I developed terrible complex about my skin-tone & for those who have seen my kin, they can tell you why.  When Papa noticed he said, "Don't worry Pumpkin, the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice."  It was the 1st time I heard that & really didn't understand what it meant. 

Well, I've since gotten over it worrying about something I cannot control & that really shouldn't have bothered me to start with.

I have to admit, I can't help but laugh just a little when my family has to go lay in the sun to get a little color.  (Nothing against my light-skinned sisters & brothers, cause I love y'all too.)

I never got the chance to tell my granny that she really did hurt my feelings, and that I am happy with the skin I'm in....and so are all of my loyal fans! *wink*

Are You My Sister? Siblings Unknown....

I'm the eldest of my mother's 3 daughters.  We all have different fathers and the younger two were born out of wedlock.  {When we were younger, I was very hateful at times (hush) and would tease my middle sister about her illegitimate status.}

My mother once told me that my daddy suspected he had an older daughter from a relationship prior to marrying my mother.  If I remember correctly, my daddy was never able to confirm or deny fathering this child before he died.  I was too young to really care when my mother 1st told me about it. 

Every now & then I can't help but wonder if I have an older sister out there somewhere. 

All my life I thought my last name was very usual & relatives would be easy to find.  Not so, but thanks to the world wide web, I've learned my surname is not so unusual at all.

I've posted a few messages on a few family websites with the hopes "my sister", her mother or even some other relative would see our father's name & reach out.  Wishful thinking, huh?

 

Missing You - Happy Birthday Tyra

I was going to write a dedication to my baby sister, who would've been 20 years old today, but I can't right now. I'll just say it's been almost 10 years since she was killed & I still miss her so much.

16 & Pregnant - Part II

Sunday, August 28, with my mama by my side, I gave birth to an 8lbs, 6oz. baby boy, without the aid of drugs!  I don't think you heard me!  I delivered that lil boy without drugs!  It was certainly an experience I will never forget, but one I vowed to never repeat.  I was way too young & the whole experience - pregnancy, labor, episiotimy & natural delivery, left me a tad bit jaded. 

After all was said & done, my mother was on the phone passing along the word that we were OK.  However, when she called my grandparents, I got sick to the stomach.  I was not ready to face them.  It's not like me & baby could just disappear but I sure did wish we could.

My mama & the donor stayed at the hospital until they kicked them out.  Before she left she told me the grands would be stopping by tomorrow.  As much as I loved those old folks, they were the last people in the world I wanted to see.

The next afternoon, I heard my grandmother's voice in the hall asking, "Where is she?"  The disappointment was still in her voice.  They walked in & she had a look in her eyes that I will never forget.  I swear I wanted to vomit, but I held it together.  She just stared at me for a moment, and when she did speak, all she said was, "So, how many more are you going to have?"  Even tho I was choked up, I managed to tell her that she would never have to worry about visiting me in the maternity ward....ever again.  She was still stoic.  Her expression didn't change.

Papa walked in & interjected with, "Where's John Henry?" {That is not my son's name, but that's the nic Papa gave him.}  I pointed to my baby & Papa picked him up & started talking to him.  I don't even recall what he was saying I was just glad my grandma wasn't talking.  Papa looked at me and said, "I'll help you with this one, but you better make damn sure you have a good husband before you bring me another one."   I smiled at Papa and said, "I promise."

The next day, I named my baby & was asked about circumcision.  I had to call my mama & grandparents because I didn't know what to do.  All parties said, "snip him".  So it was ordered.  I didn't bother to ask his father because he was a lil ticked that I didn't name my baby after him.  Whatever,dude.  He already knew that wasn't happening, but I guess he thought I'd have a change of heart.

5 nights in the hospital and fast forward to our 1st night at home.  Up until about a month before I delivered, I shared a bedroom with my sister, but she went to live with our grandparents.  That 1st 2:00 am feeding had him crying & me too!   Back then, the babies didn't spend 24/7 in the room with mom.  They spent the nights in the nursery.  That was such a rude awakening for me.  Welcome to post-partum depression.

To be continued....

 

Tasty Tuesday: Home Menu Planning

How many of you actually plan your home menus?

I ask this because my *ahem* boyfriend loves to cook & he needs an audience when doing so.  He won't admit it, but he gets off on it. *lol* I haven't cooked a dinner since I started seeing him.  I even offered to help once or twice & both times was told, "Stay out of my way & do what you do best - sit there, look cute & keep me company."  Who I am to argue? *lol*   We are barely finished with one meal before this man is sketching out the next one.

Also, this dude loves the grocery store & Sam's Club.  Now, I love shopping as much as the next person, but he is just sick with his.  Sick, I tell ya!  He's a union man & gets paid every Friday and every Friday we are in the grocery store & Sam's Club.

Those who know me & who've been to my house know I'm a kitchen gadget freak, but I don't like to cook.  I enjoy making desserts, but y'all can have that cooking crap.  Not to brag or boast but I have some pretty nice stuff in my kitchen & a lot of it has never been used.  Boyfriend was in hog heaven when I gave him free reign of the kitchen & all it's glory. 

My dining table seats 8 & my island seats 3....with 4 resin chairs to the side if necessary.  My house has been full every weekend with his family & mine (his brother is married to my cousin).

I just have to be careful because my ass will be wide as the doorway if I let him feed me like he wants.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy birthday Frankie B! You would’ve been 65 years old today…wow!  Officially a senior citizen!  :)

It’s been 34 years since you left this earth & this letter to you will be short & sweet* since my time with you was extremely limited.

Daddy, 1^st of all, I want you to know even though I have only a few vague memories of you, I love & miss you so very much!

You know Muda taught me never to question His Will, but Daddy, I can’t help but wonder why you were taken away from me, from us. Thanks to your baby sister, Mama, Muda & Papa, I know what a wonderful man you were, how you provided for us and how you loved & adored your Chocolate Doll aka Me!

Do you know that I had one of your old pajama shirts & I slept in it quite often? I had it until it fell apart in the washer. For some reason sleeping in that shirt made me feel protected.

Mama also kept your walking stick for many years. She explained to me how that accident at work caused you to lose your sight & you had to get that stick to help you get around. Mama also told me that you wanted her to put you in a home once your sight was completely gone because you couldn’t bear to be around me & not be able to see me. I’m sooooooooo glad she didn’t listen to you! Daddy, the few memories I do have are more precious than you know.

I also had your old lawn chair & no one could sit in it but me! I stored it under my bed just to be sure nobody touched it. Selfish, I know. I kept it until it finally fell apart.

I also asked Mama why we only had a few photos of you & she told me you were extremely camera-shy. Even though a few people think I look like you, this is definitely one trait your one & only did not inherit.

Do you know I cry every year on my birthday because that’s the day I miss you the most? The only explanation I can come up with is that I know I was definitely Daddy’s Little Girl & my birthdays would’ve been that much more special with you spoiling me even more rotten than I already was (thanks to Muda).

Do you know when I hear “Precious Lord” I immediately start to cry? I know this song was sung at your funeral & even though I don’t recall that day, this song takes me there.

I often ask, “Why did my daddy have to die?” when so many monsters continue to roam the earth. When I asked Muda, she said, “The good die young and His Will be done.”

If a little girl ever needed her father, it was me! Daddy, I know you loved Mama, just like we all did, but you know your wife/my mama was off the chain and I say that with the utmost love & respect.

When Muda found out I was pregnant, the 1^st thing she said was, “This wouldn’t be happening if your daddy was alive!!” For some reason, I tend to believe her.

Sometimes when weird would stuff happen around the house, especially in a room I happened to be in, Mama & Muda would say it was you trying to get my attention. I told them I didn’t believe in ghost. Muda said, “If your daddy appeared to you right now, would you believe?” My answer was no. Then she said, “If your daddy appeared to you right now & slapped the taste outta your mouth, would you believe?” My answer was an emphatic, yes!

Muda also believed that I was always under your care.  Daddy, I did get out of pocket at times & just thinking about some of the crap I did gives me chills.  I got myself into some very foolish and sometimes dangerous situations, but I always made it out unharmed.  Muda would say, "Silly child, there's an angel on your shoulder and it's your daddy."  Again, who I am to question her? 

Now, when weird stuff happens around my house I don’t know if it’s you, Mama, Tyra (Stephon {your hard-headed grandson} & Monte claimed they’ve seen her in the basement), Muda or Papa. I just close my eyes & remind myself that you all loved me & wouldn’t be here to hurt me.

Daddy, if I ever come into a generous sum of $$, I’m gonna move you from your current resting place & put you with Mama & Tyra. Mama would have a fit, saying it was a waste of money, but I think you’d be more comfortable there. So later for all of her yang. (Now I gotta be careful because she'll be creeping into my dreams for getting smart.)

Oh, and daddy, if I ever have the wedding I dream of, I want your spirit there. There will be 5 memory candles burning, one in your honor.

I’m gonna close this letter by saying I love you & miss you so very much.

Love always,

Monni B

PS Daddy, if it’s not too much to ask, I need you watch over my son.  Even tho it's slowly but surely getting better, I've still got the teenage boy blues.

*Not so short, huh?

Dedication to Muda

Since it's still Grandparents Day, I'm dedicating this song & blog to my rock, my grandmother, the Late Mrs. Dorothy Mae Davis-Brown-Baker-Saddler-Jones. No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. She was married & widowed 4 times (she actually divorced the first 2, but still managed to outlive them). I can't find *a* husband and she buried 4 of 'em.

I'm not sure when that photo was taken but she was sharp, wasn't she?

No matter when or where, waterworks are guaranteed when I hear this one.

 

 

 

Better Days ~ 1987

 

Happy Grandparent's Day!

It's Grandparents Day & since my maternal grandparents have long gone to glory, I'll use this media to express my appreciation for them.

If you've ever paid attention to anything I've ever said, you know who Muda & Papa are. My {biological} Grandfather (Muda's 3rd husband) died when my mother was 5. Papa was Muda's 4th husband.

Muda is the person mostly responsible for me being who I am today. My Grandfather is, of course, partly responsible for my mere existence, but Papa was the influential father figure in my life.

Now that I'm grown and have major appreciation for what they did for me, I know they were heaven sent & owe all that I am to them!

On another note, I never knew my paternal grandfather. I think he died before I was born. I only recall seeing my paternal grandmother twice & I never really knew her. Sad to say, she's also dead but there was no loss to me (another blog for another day).

In closing,

HAPPY GRANDPARENT'S DAY

to all the

Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Mudas, Papas,

Big Mamas, Big Daddies, G-Maws & Pawpaws everywhere!

Is FAMILY really EVERYTHING?

Maybe for you, but in the case of my clan, I must respectfully disagree.  If I could choose my family as I have my friends....well that's only wishful thinking.

I've seen people, including my family and friends, financially, emotionally and sometimes physically drained/destroyed by alleged loved ones.  I refuse to allow this to happen to me.  I wouldn't let stranger do it and damn sure refuse to let a so-called loved one do it.

Loved ones gone too soon, money spent on drugs, whores and cars that could've paid for higher education for more than a few, stress related health problems, dwindled bank accounts and so much more - family was or thought to be involved, directly and/or indirectly. 

Granted, I might be jaded because of what I've gone thru, but shit happens and the end result is how I feel.

Every so often, I catch flak from family and friends for this very reason.  They call me hateful, ornery, judgmental, self-righteous and whole host of things because I do not put up with the bullshit.  In all honesty, they can call me what they want, just don't call me collect.  

As God is my witness, they, including the one I birthed, will not have me on meds, in the police database or depleting my savings accounts behind their mess.

I love my family, I truly do.  However, my love for them will not overrule common sense.  Period.

My 75 Year Old Uncle is Getting Married!

You heard me, my uncle is 75 years old (76 in a few weeks) and this son of gun is getting or has gotten married!  *eyeroll*

Usually, I get excited about black love.  Hell, I've even shedded tears for folks getting engaged/married who I've never met (Will & Tia, STO & Feyonce, JT's Unc & new bride, etc.), but this time, I'm just out done.

Mind you, my dear, geriatric uncle has been married 4 times (2nd & 3rd wife are the same woman) & he has a few children who are older than is lovely bride *sarcasm & eyeroll*.  The last time I visited with him (a few years ago) he was talking this foolishness and I tried to talk him out of it. 

I have no doubt my uncle has about 10+ years left on him & this wench is just waiting to cash in.  Now he's not wealthy by any means, but he did OK for himself & all of his children are grown. 

He claims he got shafted after the 4th divorce which I why I questioned his motives in doing this yet again and at his age.  His answer was simply, "I don't want to be alone."  *insert Silkee's world renown record scratch here*  WTF?!?!  Y'all have been shacking for damn near a decade and now you don't want to be alone.  Come on Unc.....

I'm all for the institution of marriage but this is sheer & complete madness. 

Oh, did I mention my other uncle told me that most of the men in our family have "had" this chic at one point or another.  She was my cousin's girlfriend 1st & after being with him for a little while, she test drove the crew and somehow ended up with his father - my mama's big brother.

I suppose congratulations are in order.....*Ugh*

Got to Have a Family Reunion! NOT!

I've noticed a lot of my connects traveling & so forth for their family reunions & a lot of them seem to be during Labor Day Weekend.

In all my 30+ years on this earth, I've known my maternal family to have had one organized family reunion.  We've had picnics here & there, but not the whole custom t-shirts & paying dues kinda thing.

The one reunion I recall was about 13/14 years ago was in KC, MO - our family base.   Neither my mother, my sister, my uncle nor myself attended.  I was only working part-time, my mother was caring for my 2 sisters on her widow's pension and my beloved uncle is a crackhead (yes, sadly he really is).  Needless to say the funds for traveling were few & far between.  Even tho I wanted to see Muda & a few others, I didn't lose any sleep over not being able to go.  My mother, on the other hand was livid and her feelings were hurt.  My uncle could've really cared less.

My mother knew that everyone knew her situation and her feelings were hurt that no one at least offered a place to lay her head, at the very least.  I could've gotten her a damn RT bus ticket.  She was livid because we (the STL family) were the last to know about this alleged reunion.  My reaction - fuck 'em!

I come from a large family (due to my uncles' male whoredom) on both sides, but rarely have anything to do with the majority of them, esp. my daddy's folks.

There are just too many folks with way too many issues.  Call me crazy, but I'd rather be alone than mixed up in their misery.

Does your family have reunions on the regular and what part do you play, if any?

Other People’s Kids – Part I

Last July, I became guardian to 4/5 of my sister’s kids.  I love these children, but keep in mind, I don’t like kids (and I don’t feel guilty about it)….love them to death, preferably from a distance.  You can keep all of these lil crumb snatchers outta my personal space.  My son is an only child for a reason.

 

 

Let me tell y’all about Showtime aka Pretty Ricky.  He’s 13, smart & all his life folks have thought he was my son, not my nephew.  I call him Showtime because he’s very animated.  I also call him Pretty Ricky at times because he has this Bone Thugs thing going on with all this hair on his head & he thinks he’s fine.  He’s also quite fashion conscious.  At least as conscious as a 13 year old can get.  He’s pretty independent & of his 4 other siblings, he’s my favorite….just don’t tell him.  He’ll attempt to use it to his advantage.  He’s also a Gemini & works my nerves & the Rockwood School District’s with his moods.  This boy was moody from the day he was born.

 

 

Then there’s Cool J who’s 11.  They call him that because his real initials are LL.  Since he was about 2, I’ve called him Cole Brown, because he’s short & thick.  His genetics dictate he’ll {probably} never be taller than 5’6”.  He’s a mama’s boy to the bone!  He’s quite sensitive at times & a pit bull at others.  True Piscean.

 

 

Then there are the twins – 7 year-old Cancer females.  They are as different as night & day.  One is kinda bossy and must be heard.  The other is shy and reserved. 

 

 

This is where Nanny Rose, may she rest in peace, saved my life.  Without blinking an eye, she was willing to take them all if it meant keeping them out of the system.  Fortunately, it didn’t come to that.  She took her girls and I kept the boys.

 

 

This is also where having the kind of relationship I have with my manager paid off.  Due to the bullshit that comes with my bloodline, keeping secrets is too damn hard to do, so I've always shared most of the BS with her so she knew what was happening with me.  I've worked under her for a decade and just like my mother, she can look in my face and know that something's amiss.  Even tho she's partially disabled she offered to help.  She also made it easy for me to miss countless days from work to handle this situation.

 

 

Anybody who knows me, knows I had no intention of mothering any more children, let alone those who belong to someone else...family or not.  I used to be soooo glad my mother didn’t have a house full of kids, especially since I was the oldest.  She even told me once, had my father (who was 3^rd of 11) lived, she probably would’ve had a bunch of kids.  Despite all that, now is the time when multiple, responsible, capable & caring siblings would so be a blessing!  Alas, that’s not the case.

 

 

These kids have literally turned my life, my house & my wallet upside down & inside out.  I was footloose & fancy-free for a minute & then duty called.  I was free to come & go as I pleased with worrying about the well being of someone else.  I was free to sleep all damn day & skip meals if I so desired.  Me & “my friend” were free to walk around naked as the day we were born & make as much noise during those intimate times as we wanted, without covering up, locking doors & worrying about virgin ears hearing grown folks business.  God forbid if these boys accidentally see my “dawgs” roaming free or his "solider" seeking some attention.

 

 

When the situation 1^st arose, honestly, all I could think about was how I would be effected & how my life had to change. Selfish?  Maybe.  Honest?  Definitely!  I had to remember what my mother taught me about my selfishness a long time ago.  She would say, “MDB (of course using the entire name she had so carefully chosen for me), it’s not gonna always be about you!”  Let’s just say I think my mama knew.

 

 

To be continued……

I'm Dating a Rapist

No, I'm not dating a rapist, but I am listening to our local station and there's a segment similar to Steve Harvey's Strawberry Letter (I forget what they call it) and here's the gist of today's letter:

Big Sis & Lil Sis are sisters and best friends.  Big Sis recently met and started dating a man who had served a 13 year sentence for rape.  Apparently, when Big Sis introduced this man to her family, Lil Sis took one look at him and fainted - the new man in in Big Sis's life is the man who brutally raped Lil Sis.  Big sister didn't realize at the time, but she now knows this and doesn't want to stop seeing this man, as she has developed feelings for him.

Lil Sis was only 12 when this happened and cannot bear children because of the physical damage he did.  She also cannot live alone due to other issues stemming from this traumatic event.

If these sisters were your loved ones, what advice would you give?

 

Happy Father's Day to all the Real Fathers/Real Men!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy, Grandfather & Papa!

Frankie B. (1943-1973), my daddy, died when I was a less than 2 years old, so I never got the chance to really get to know him & I only have a few vague memories of him. However, my mother, aunt (his sister) and Muda & Papa made sure I knew who was. For that, I'll be eternally grateful. My daddy was a great father who adored his 1st born (me!) & a wonderful husband. I think that's why my mother never remarried. No one could replace my daddy. I have to admit that I still get angry sometimes about things that are out of my control & sometimes ask myself, "Why did my daddy have to die?!"

On a brighter note, I was lucky enough to have this man, Mr. Hugh Luther Jones (1903-1991) aka Papa aka Big Daddy. He was Muda's 4th husband & 13 years her senior. Her 3rd husband, Mr. Crawford Isaiah Saddler (1917-1957), was my biological grandfather & he passed when my mom was 5 years old.

Papa never had any biological children, but you'd never know it from the way he loved and accepted Muda's offspring. He loved his family, baseball, fishing, boxing (he got me into it) & hunting.

When I got pregnant, like Muda, he was heartbroken. So much so, I couldn't stand to look him in the face. I once overheard him tell Muda, "I don't know what she's gonna do, 'cause I'm done taking care of chi'rren". I was devastated. However, once my son was born, I couldn't tear him away from Papa. They were inseparable. I think him being a boy played a huge part, since our family is female dominated.

He was also your typical, grumpy old man. He had all these crazy sayings & most I forgot or never really understood what they meant. His favorite quote was, "Y'all gon' miss me when I'm gone." I'm here to testify, that he ain't never lied! I miss him so very much.

Now that I think of it, my Daddy & Papa are probably one of the reasons why I'm still single. I know what a real man is.