The Card May 16, 2009
Posted by Rhonda in Cool.Tags: appreciation, God, Hallmark, love, MAHOGANY, Mother's Day cards, stepdaughter
3 comments
I just wanted to share the card that Kierra got for me for Mother’s Day.
The Power of a Praying Mother
Mom, I have no idea how many times
you’ve prayed for me
through the years,
how many times you’ve carried me
before the Lord in your heart.
But I want to tell you “Thanks.”
Thanks for living your faith
and doing your best
to be a blessing to your family.
Thanks for how you always
asked God’s protection,
guidance, and mercy for me -
Lord knows, I needed them all!
And most of all,
thanks for believing in me
when it would have been easier not to
and for making sure I knew
I was in your prayers.
All through my life, I’ve felt
as though there were two things
I could count on-
God’s love…and yours.
And today I really do believe
a praying mother can work miracles…
because, thanks to you,
I’m one of them.
Wishing you a truly blessed
Mother’s Day!
Hope you had a WONDERFUL Mother’s Day today. We tried to have fun and keep you happy today. I know you are happy to be a full time Mommy now! I know you enjoy it alot. But I will always be here for you no matter what.
XOXO
Love Ya,
Kierra
Compliments of MAHOGANY by Hallmark and Kierra!
This Thing Called Love February 18, 2009
Posted by Morocco in Reflections.Tags: love, words
10 comments
Listening to myself talk and reading what I write, I’ve noticed how loosely I use the word love to describe things that in all actuality, I simply like a lot or enjoy. The thought of tossing the L-word about brings back memories of my childhood. We used to have a phrase, If you love it so much, why don’t you marry it! “It” could have been a myraid of things.
Well, if that isn’t food for thought, I don’t know what is. I love reading but I don’t think a book would make a good spouse.
I also love calamari but I couldn’t imagine saying “I do” to breaded squid! Not to mention I love tea as well, although if I married it, wouldn’t it just evaporate over time?!
I am not married to my career (though I do love my kids!) and on my deathbed I won’t regret not grading more papers or spending countless hours afterschool.
There is a whole long list of things that I profess to love. (Shoes, purses, clothes, hot baths, blogging, warm covers, hot chocolate…to name a few)
But I’ve come to realize that what I love the most are people–not things.
Love Is… February 13, 2009
Posted by Morocco in Uncategorized.Tags: love, poetry, similes, students, teacher, Valentine's Day, writing
6 comments
Love tastes like freshly whipped cream
Love smells like my husband’s cologne
Love feels like cotton candy
Loves sounds like a symphony
Love looks like a sleeping child
Today I will be introducing a poetry unit to my students. I always like to start with a simple poem to ensure success. And of course, since love is in the air with tomorrow being the day for lovers, I thought I’d use love as the topic for this 5 Senses poem to model for my classes.
What is love to you? In the comment section, try your hand at this simple poem following the specified 5 Senses format!
Black Girl Grieves February 8, 2009
Posted by Morocco in Dark Side of the Moon.Tags: anniversary, death, grief, husband, life, loss, love, memories, mother, mourning
5 comments
At my grandmother’s repast, someone with a camera snapped a picture of me that perfectly captured the face of grief. Over the years I have worn that visage many times.
Today is the one year anniversary of my mother’s death.
Today marks three months for my husband, too.
I miss them so very much!
More Than a Conqueror January 24, 2009
Posted by Morocco in A Beautiful Mind.Tags: cancer, faith, friends, hope, inspiration, love, positive attitude, strength, survivor
4 comments
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ” ~Romans 8:37
I first met her when I was in middle school. We were not the best of friends. Our journey continued on to high school. We pretty much ignored each other. Fate would have it that we would continue on to the same college. Somehow we ended up talking casually being that we were both strangers in a strange land. We having not stopped talking since.
In 2005 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was shocked beyond words. She was so young!!! I felt so afraid for her and could not stop my tears from flowing. But through her trials she never gave up. She is the epitome of courage.
She has been a fount of strength for me in my time of sorrow. I can’t even articulate how her support, love, and positivity have kept me afloat.
And she is currently going through another bout of cancer. Her faith could move mountains. She is such an inspiration that I encouraged her to start a blog. Because I know that her life and experiences will bless others and keep their spirits buoyed, too.
Happy Birthday! January 21, 2009
Posted by Morocco in family.Tags: birthdays, love, Stepmom, stepson
2 comments
Today is Evan’s birthday. I had planned on making him this to celebrate. Even though he is not here with us, I still have a gift for him. I hope he can somehow feel the love that I am sending his way!
Miss Me January 13, 2009
Posted by Morocco in Let it Go.Tags: love, stepsons. stepmom, texting
4 comments
My SIL texted me the other day saying that she had talked to the boys. Morocco, they said they miss u!, she wrote. For a second I felt elated, until I realized that it really doesn’t change much. I won’t be able to see or have a relationship with them anytime soon. My happiness quickly changed to longing.
It’s almost strange that they admitted to missing me. I assumed that Eliza would have turned them against me by now. Especially considering that I found out through Jazmine’s mother (in the same prison as Eliza) that she has been “talking crazy” about me. Her letter began, There are no words to express how I feel knowing that Jazmine has an auntie like you. This caused me to think that whatever Eliza was saying somehow pertained to her perception of how I treated the boys. I think this was her way of letting me know that she appreciates what I am doing for her daughter. It must have been obvious to her that Eliza didn’t appreciate my contributions toward raising her boys.
Why she has the audacity to be hateful is starting to annoy me. Though honestly I knew that it would always come down to this. I just wanted it to be different. It’s as if my attempt to get along and be a good stepmom to the boys only served to fuel her fire. I see now that my husband was correct–with her, we could never win for losing. She would always find something about our life and parenting to pick apart no matter what I did for her or them.
When I wrote Jazmine’s mom I told her that I was praying that she would not fall into Eliza’s trap. I also wrote that this was exactly why I never told her about Eliza and vice versa (Ethan must have told her about Jazmine and her mom because I never mentioned that my niece even lived with us). I cautioned her not to feel the need to defend me against anyone’s accusations. I really hope she is able to withstand Eliza’s attack.
I do take comfort in knowing that the boys apparently have been thinking of me. I will keep this knowledge close to use as a band-aid for my bleeding heart.
Live Through This December 31, 2008
Posted by Morocco in Hope is the thing with feathers.Tags: 2009, faith, God, hope, love, new year, New Year's, problems, Stepmom, widow
7 comments
2008 has been quite a year for me. I never imagined that I would lose both my mother and my husband in the same year. But as painful, terrifying, and debilitating as it is, I know I will make it. The truth of the matter is that we can live without lost loved ones even when our carnal flesh feels we can’t.
If that wasn’t the case I would have died my first death when my grandmother died in 1994.
And again when my uncle died in 2001.
And again when my great-aunt died in 2002.
And again when my aunt died in 2004.
And I would have died twice this year alone.
I was very close to each one of them.
Yet I’m still here. I have had many comatose moments in the pit of despair since he’s been gone. I am crawling out of it at a snail’s pace. At my lowest points I feel that I can’t go on. However, I know these thoughts are strictly from the devil. He wants me to believe that I can’t exist without him which spawns depression and suicidal thoughts. But the devil is a liar.
No matter what you are going through, and I can guarantee that you will go through something in the year to come, just remember you can make it! I hope to grow and learn from my trials . What else is there to do? Eventually I hope to use my testimony to help other widows and stepmoms through this difficult time. And as long as I am alive, I have a chance to do this. I have lived through a lot of strife in my short time. You can, too!
I hope everyone has a blessed year in 2009!
The Sisterhood May 3, 2009
Posted by Morocco in Reflections.Tags: blogging, comments, cyberspace, dating, friends, God, gratitude, love, sisters, support
11 comments
There are places in cyberspace where sisters of all ages, creeds, and colors meet up as often as they can for a little girl talk, motivation, support, love, candor, and fun.
This is only one such place.
You all are like sisters to me! After I read the comments left on Date Night I started laughing, then I started crying. I cried out of sadness (just the fact that I even have to date) but more so out of gratitude. I am so thankful that you all have been here with me. It has been a long, strange trip, my friends! Who knew that I would begin as stepmom and end up Ms. Singlemama?
Maybe God knew (of course He did) that I would need this circle of love to get me through a very tender season? Blogging has no doubt helped carry me through the abysss.
I take your advice and suggestiions to heart because I know you gals want the best for me and vice versa. I just value you ALL beyond belief!!! So I thank you Stacy, Joy, Doraz, Suzanne, Justaglimpse, Rhonda, Leila, Crys, Been There, Dragonflymama, Serendip, Kweenmama, Starla, Old Freind, Kelly, Destined, Natalie, Yo, Amy, and anyone else that I forgot to mention who has been kind enough to leave a comment on this blog!
One love,
Morocco