there was some parent beating back harsh winds and praying back forces we can't see with our naked eye, for all of the battles that they themselves knew they only had strength to endure and tomorrow they only held hope, yet no cure for the ugliness they knew was soon to come.
I'm the type of guy that would never let a controversial holiday go like May 19th Malcolm X's Birthday, Memorial Day or day without some sort of uplifting, muck-stirring, or heart-wrenching post about life well, my own has had it's share of ups and downs and my focus has not been in social media or the media. Now as the winds howl shaking the last fledglings from their nests and our loved ones are comfortably in their beds drifting hopefully into a well deserved rest, I think of so much as seasons pass. I drive pass old stomping grounds like Coyote Point, see friends from high school and my old street in East Palo Alto and begin to see how much things change yet stay the same.
I think about the slaves, my educated parents in their old age and all the dieing bees I see at the beach on the shore at the end of their life's journey. I think of the first nations, the Native Americans, broken promises, my ancestors. I think of my own responsibility of protecting my son and the things and people that have pass and come. I think of my short comings as well and the ways I've been experiencing heaven as well as been living in Hell. All of us experience many Unspoken Battles, however within we see and begin to know many Triumphs as we seek and are also offered solutions, given Victory and begin to carry with us the Hope Which Prevails.
I watch old flames die out as new ones re-kindle and start a blaze such as Louie, Jelly Brooke and their new bundle of joy as they both got recently married and decided to start a family together. With difficulty comes breakthroughs yet with heartache I've witnessed love and birth with friends Michael Boris and lady Natalie as they just had a beautiful baby Summer Rose. I see a post about my friend Leon about his son passing which tears my heart, I can't even imagine what he's going through. All I can do is pray and offer help. My friend Jabari calls me a few weeks later telling me his lady is in labor. When the time is right I offer to swing by although an hour away or so drive to at least see the child. Today I see a post that Mr. Gurley, a respected elder and minister in the community has passed. He was a very loved man and very kind to everyone that came by his home that was respectful. I appreciate him and he raised his children, my friends quite well. There are two weddings coming up, which unfortunately I cannot make. Good news is a friend's son who was in a terrible accident like I said was in is home now and is doing great. The power of prayer people! I just found out my childhood friend Antwon and his wife just had a healthy baby girl on Memorial Day so a big congratulations to them as well. We must create the conditions wherever we see fit, no matter the weather and strive towards excellence and for those priceless smiles.
Some days we are called to do more than what other days require. Sometimes we don't know what that is or what exactly we are capable of yet we do it, we rise to the occasion, stand, demand, meet and conquer the challenge with an unknown courage and with a strength within that we sometimes question the source.
Many things remain uncertain for us still however, if there is chance that tomorrow you are granted opportunity to rise to greet the sun... or the clouds and cough loud the n do so and be a little bit proud for the battles you've won. Just sayin!
Shifting weather patterns confuse men
Like women whose ways stay mystery
Although we create what we overly consume
What words have already been written
As paths have already been chosen and
Words that have already been dangerously spoken
While we wait no more for hearts to feel pure or mouths to be fed we
Wait no more freedom to come or for cozy bed we
Struggle til hustle becomes us completely
Love til understanding engulfs our meaning deeply we
Have got no choice left but to salvage for us in savage storms so
I open my arms when the clouds come
When the wind blows wild my heart races to catch up and
Rain is the welcoming of a new beginning
As summer comes to a Spring ending
Death sheds it's shroud softly as wedding bells ring in new destinies and
We some of us are left still with struggle yet
Nothing close to heavenly
We are told we will rise above, tougher than nails
When rains still make ground fertile
Battles are fought yet we are left with
The Hope Which Prevails
Congratulations on being a new father also Stoner Sowell!
