Expectations


When I heard of the untimely death, of Michael Jackson, last Thursday I did not cry on the first day. I wanted to hear and see all of the news that I could. On Friday morning, as I cleaned my home, I was watching MTV and listening to the interviews. Watching the video Thriller became too much for me. I broke down and cried because a part of childhood was now gone.

Growing up my family was one of the few families, in our neighborhood, to first have cable. That was a big deal for my friends to come over and watch t.v. When MTV first started out they would have music video premiers. Meaning they would announce the first time a new video was coming on. New videos then were big events and people were excited to just wait to see them. The expectation was always high to see the latest Michael Jackson videos. You wanted to see him dance and what he was wearing. My friends would come over because they wanted to see also. So when we knew that a new MJ video would be coming on some of my friends would come over to our house and simply sit and wait.

That is just one of my memories about Michael Jackson. We had high expectations and with his music videos he always delivered. When the video came on, you didn't say much because you wanted to get it all in, plus you knew it could be an hour before you would see it again. Sometimes for an hour we would wait in expectation again.

When I knew the BET awards were going to honor Michael Jackson I knew exactly where I wanted to be. In my parent's living room to live out that moment of honoring Michael Jackson. Only this time I had my sons and nieces with me. It was so important that as our culture celebrated his life and his music that I was sitting in the very same room where I anticipated seeing Michael Jackson on t.v so many years ago. How cool is that?

Be Blessed
Lindar

Yesterday......the Pain....and the Laker ball


Yesterday my morning started off with a 40 minute walk with my friend. Mind you he works out almost everyday, and he runs to and from the place where he works out at. Personally I have not gone for a walk since like last year. After the walk I knew Alex had to be at a camp in Oxford. I had been on Alex to get all the information he needed. He was told to report at 12:30. I told him to call the AD there and low and behold registration started at 10:30 and the camp started at 12:30.

So at 11:00 we get on this mad rush to the college, which is about 50 minutes away. We get there and my legs are throbbing and they feel like silly puddy. I meet some coaches, I really don't get there names. To be honest I didn't care because my legs and feet are telling me to sit down somewhere like maybe in one of those thousands of seats in the gym. I am given a form to fill out for my son and I am ready to go home. My son has all he needs and I need some Alleve and a bed.

I ask one of the workers at the table where could I leave his belongings so he could take it to his room later and they suggested that I put his things in his room. I have never been on Miami's campus, how was I to know where to go? She tells me to go left and it dead ends to Hahne Hall. Huh? Did I tell you I have my younger son with me and the only thing on his mind is his Laker basketball?

By now I don't even know how I will take the next step. My ankles and calves are killing me but I take my son's belongings and with Ty we go to the car. I go out the driveway and turn left and I am waiting for a dead end. Fifteen minutes later I come back to the gym and I run into some football players who inform me that the residence hall I need is across the street from the driveway. For real? You mean go out and turn left and make an immediate right. She didn't say that! I find the residence hall and I parked diagonally in the first space I saw, the comforter is unfolding, the bags are extra heavy now and I discover I have to walk up a hill to get to the entrance.

Once inside the lobby I pray that the first floor starts with the 300's. Now I know that boy told me room 316. I climb the first flight not caring that the blanket is dragging the floor and Ty is still bouncing that darn basketball. Ten minutes later I get to room 316 and it is occupied. Not only that I realize you need an actual key to get into the room and all I have is a key card. Me and Alex need to talk! Oooo! I got words for him!

I am standing in the hall not able to move another inch. I just knew my left knee was going to completely separate itself from the rest of my body. Just one more step and the paramedics were on their way from the virtual screaming of my legs. Several feet in front of me stands the housekeeping person, her name was Pat. Go figure! I tell her my dilemma. Her first response to me was "You know we have an elevator?" NO I DIDN'T KNOW! HOW WOULD I KNOW? I didn't say that verbally. I just thought it loudly. I am standing by room 316 and directly behind me is the elevator door. Lord please give me the strength not to kill Alex!


Ms. Pat does some research and tells me Alex is staying in room 361. Which is the very last room on the other end of the hall. I know I had to look a mess. I was in agony carrying that completely unraveled blanket and the bags are now dragging on the ground. The Laker ball is on its way out the window if it bounces too many more times. I put Alex's things in his room and I have decided that once back at the gym I would give Alex his key card and key, that Ms. Pat gave me. I am so ready to go home. I don't how I am going to walk to the car. I know I am getting on that elevator though! I also know that when I step in that gym he will see me and tell someone he needs to get his things and off to home I will go.

As we are leaving the residence hall Ty spots a basketball court (OMG) and makes a mad dash with that Laker ball. I can't even write what I was thinking. This can't be happening to me. I can't take too much more. After some lying about coming back to play later, Ty gets in the car. We drive to the gym. After putting the car in park, I get out the car first and the lady next to me is getting out of her car too. As Ty gets out of the car in the same moment that the lady is putting her car alarm on, his ball rolls out of his hands and lands next to her tire underneath her car. I could have screamed!!!!!! Ty is crying, my legs are beyond painful and the lady walks past us not aware of what our problem is. Words could not even come out of my mouth to say anything to her. I inform my 3 year-old that he has to crawl under the car and get his own ball. Yeah I know, he had no clue what to do. Does he even know what crawl means you ask? But God in his miraculous power allowed the wind to blow the ball into Ty's hands as he is laying on the ground.

That is it. It is time to go. I walk up the steps to the gym ready to give Al all of his keys and ........this ain't even possible.....I know God loves me...but this is too much. Al is actually on the court playing basketball and they will not have a break for another 20 minutes. Unbelievable!!!! I find a seat, and in a very slow and painful manner I sit down. Only God knows how I will get up. Ty and I watch the game as he holds on to that darn Laker ball for dear life. Eventually Al comes and gets his things and I begin to climb the steps so that I can go down another set of steps, in an attempt to get closer to my car. Once I reach the set of stairs to go down I hear a small voice say "You need some help mama?" I could not help but to burst out into laughter. It is now obvious, after several hours, to my toddler that mommy needs some help. I now wonder what it looked like to the rest of the people in the gym? lol

Michael Jackson - Off The Wall

I have been asked by some people where is my MJ blog and when is the MJ party. This past week has really been hard for me to write about. I have so many thoughts about what Michael Jackson's life, music, and death means to me.

Right now I think I am just enjoying all of the videos and all the music. Michael is forever imprinted in our society as a musical genius. As I sit and listen to his songs with my sons, and other relatives we can dance, laugh, cry, and remember when we first heard particular songs.

I always credit my parents for introducing me to music. I remember getting the Off the Wall album and listening to it until I knew every word to every song. In today's music you don't get that often where you want to know every lyric to every song of one particular artist. And this was not the CD age. I had to get up and change the needle on the album..Some of y'all know what I am talking about.

Michael Jackson is music. Michael Jackson is dance. He is forever in our hearts...Gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf and just enjoy yourself....groove...let the madness in the music get to you...life ain't so bad at all.... if you live it Off the Wall

Will Always Love MJ
Lindar

Michael Jackson - Rock With You

My all time favorite MJ song. May God bless his family, friends, and fans as we mourn the loss of an incredible singer, dancer, and entertainer.

To everything there is a season.


Be Blessed
Lindar

"Already Here" feat. Brian C. Wilson

I kept hearing this song on the radio and I am so glad that I now know who Brian C. Wilson. He has such a beautiful voice and spirit. Enjoy!

Donald Lawrence Sings "Back II Eden" At Salem Baptist Church Of Chicago

What an upbeat and uplifting song. Let's get back to Eden and live on top of the world.

Ghetto Chick is on sale!!!!!!!

It has been a long time coming. The time is finally here. Self-publishing is hard but it was the path I choose take. Here is the link to purchase Ghetto Chick. Thank you for all of your support of me and my family.

I am so excited.


Because of Him I am,
Lindar

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/ghetto-chick/7313130

Congrats!!!!!!!


Yesterday my mother received her Associates Degree in Medical Coding. I am so proud of her and her fellow classmates. I want to share three things the keynote speaker said last night.

Life begins outside of our comfort zone.
Fear is the acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real
Normal is a setting on the washing machine.


Be Blessed
Lindar

Today


Today I decide to take authority over my life. The month of June has been amazing and awakening. I am glad that I have decided to go after the things of God and not what I want for me. I was on the phone kidding around with a friend earlier today. The more we talked, the sillier we became. All of a sudden a quiet spirit came over me. My friend asked me what was wrong. My response was that at the rate the conversation was going it would turn into something that was not pleasing to God.

Because God has blessed me, delivered me, and restored me I know that I have to honor and respect God, His Word and His Promises. At the end of this year I will turn 40. Everything before now is already done. I made some impulsive and bad choices. As a result of some of those choices I have paid a very high price of heartache and disappointment.

Now is the time of realization. From here on out I thirst and hunger for what God has for me. To everything there is a season. Can You Feel A Brand New Day?

Be Blessed
Lindar

CDF Cradle to Prison Pipeline® Initiative Slideshow

When I first heard the story yesterday of Noelle Washington being killed along with her nine month old son and her best friend's three year old daughter, it stopped me in my tracks. I couldn't believe it. I could not leave the house until I saw a picture of Noelle, her son, and the little girl. I cried over this story of tragedy, I cried for her family, the litte girl's family and for our city. My immediate thought was "Who does this?" Who honestly kills a teenager, an infant, and a toddler with no thought of human life in a single moment? It has to be someone who is heartless and who is cold to any emotions or feelings.

My heart goes out to all the families involved in tragic act. I pray that someone is arrested for this crime. The families and the community will need that closure but it will be a long time to heal from the hurt, the pain, the anger, and the thought of what might have been had Noelle moved on to Nashville, moved on with her life.

There is a song, sung by gospel artist Yolanda Adams, "What About the Children?" How fitting for Noelle, for Anthony, for Sharailyn.

Be Blessed
Lindar

All of that work to say nothing


I thank you for all of your calls and all of your texts.
Hopefully all of your questions were answered.
Sweetie, there really was a simpler way of going about this.
I prefer to get to the bottom line.
Say what you need to say. Ask what you need to ask.
Time is of the essence.
We don't have to have small talk for twenty minutes for you to get to your one question.
You do a whole lot work to say nothing.

Dip My Spoon and Leave



It was like the best date that was never planned.
You kicked it with me like you was my man.
In the beginning it felt a little awkward,
You know, you kept brushing up on my shoulder.
As the night progressed I got used to the touches
the soft conversations.
Now, don't forget you do live with her.
So we shared our meal like an event that was unreal.


In the midst of that hour you even fed me a flower,
Asked if my meal was okay.
Damn it, how many years have I known you anyway?
But it was cool how you spoke in my ear, gently held my hand.
Acted like a complete gentleman, in your gray and black
With me in my black and white. We kinda matched.
That was kinda tight!

As the evening moved on we settled into this moment.
We even had the waiter fooled until he asked us about our check.
Fortunately I got my own stacks on deck.
What we both like carrot cake? And the menu said it was served for two.
Go ahead and order, I'll just dip my spoon and leave.
Cause I don't know what is going on with you.

If I Am Cool With Your Car


Look, don’t be upset. Don’t get depressed.
I ain’t trippin’, I don’t think of you any less.
I don’t want you for what you have or will have.
I just want to be your wife, your beautiful other half.
Let’s spend this time building our lives.
From here on out we’ll expect nothing but the best.
What pleases my heart is that you came at me
True and Correct.
So, let’s go out and have fun.
Let the world know you are my only one.
You are the best man that has stepped to me so far.
Who cares what other people think.
If I’m cool with your car.

Congratulations To Tyler McKinley On Scoring 1,000 Points!!!!!!!!! 💙💚

On Tuesday, January 30 during Winton Woods vs West Clermont, Tyler McKinley scored his 1,000th point as his teammates, family and friends lo...