One of the reasons I created this blog was to connect with, encourage and minister to professional women, female ministers and aspiring female professionals/ministers. All too often we have been marginalized to the point where our gifts and talents are not valued or even recognized. I must admit that I have several professional, beautiful, talented, creative, educated and sophisticated sistah friends who are making positive, life changing statments in this world!
A few years ago I decided that I would not belittle, disown or disrespect another female. My commitment is to support, restore, invite, assist, open doors for, mentor and celebrate women! In my face I see my great grandmother, grandmother, my mother, my aunts, my sisters, my sistah friends, female mentors and the women I've mentored....let's make our lives count for more than just for what we accomplish for ourselves....join me in the march to celebrate women, to celebrate our sistah friends!
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One of the women I celebrate is Meoshi Burks, posthumously (1967). In 2005, my baby sister died of breast cancer. What I remember of her most is her love of children and her willingness to help anyone in need. I’ve never experienced a person with so much patience with children. All the children in our family wanted to be at Auntie Mickey’s house. She was beautiful, inside and out. Her spirit was very alluring and fun. She birthed five children – 2 girls and 3 boys, who are now young men and women. They carry her spirit in them.
ReplyDeleteOne of the joys of my life was when I she and her children spent one of her last Christmases with me and brother Bennie in Memphis Tennessee. I took her to visit my friends….they adored her and of course they said she and I looked like twins….what a compliment! To honor her life and to keep her with me always, I designed a tattoo in the shape of a heart with a ribbon flowing through it with her name, date of birth and date of her transcendence to heaven – yes…I had it tattooed on my body!....it is my way of keeping her with me always….every time I see it I know she’s with me. Today I celebrate Meoshi! My sister, my friend, my angel!
Melody,
ReplyDeleteI think the tatoo is an awesome tribute to the memory of your sister. As I think back, I try to think of one woman who has had the greatest influence on my life and I would have to say that it has been my mother Pamela Kelso.
I always say that children are not born with an instruction manual. Sometimes as parents we make mistakes but it is all in the name of love.
I still have the pleasure of having my mother in my life and we talk daily. She has been my biggest fan and supporter. Through lifes hardest difficulties and trials my mother has been there to uplift me and to tell me that yes, I can do it. She has always encourged me to live my dreams and to make the most of my life as well as to not let the "haters" keep me down.
As a woman there are times you feel uncomfortable sharing your success or achievements in life because of the fear of the negative feedback from others. I am gald that my mother has taught me to be a woman who loves God and keep him first and let God take care of everything else. I love you mom!
Takana Skelton
Melody,
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful tribute to your sister. I have a friend, Fron, who is very much like a sister to me. We met while taking a college chemistry class that we both hated. Time passed and we didnt see one another, as I had moved to GA. One day I saw this woman at my church in GA. I thought where do I know her. It was Fron. It's been over 20 yrs. since we re-connected. We have been roommates, traveled together, and have seen good and bad times. She is a prayer warrior, a professional woman, and someone who also keeps me laughing. I know she has my back, and I have hers. Thanks for letting me share.
One of the women I celebrate is my mother, Barbara Barnswell. Who passed away suddenly on September 9,2005. My mother was a very strong hearted person and hardly let anything get her down. Whenever I needed to talk to someone my mom was always right there to lean a listenig ear. It's hard for me sometimes just to go from day to day without thinking about her. Even to this day I still cherish the moments we had the good and the bad. But without my mother in my life I don't think that I would be the person that I'm today. I though about having a tattoo done in the memory of my mother's Melody, just to keep them both near and to know that they are there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me this chance to somewhat express myself.
You ladies are blessed....thank you for sharing your stories celebrating the women in your life.....life is better because of the women we encounter! Please share your stories with your girls or sistah friends!
ReplyDeleteAnother person I'd like to celebrate is my mother....Dorothy Humphries....when I was growing into a woman she was the woman I most wanted to be like. Her regal demeanor, strong sense of womanhood, never say die attitude inspires me to this day. Whenever I was at a cross road she was there to direct my feet and steer my heart.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I was at a "giving up" point, she was there to say "no you won't." Whenever I was at a "what should I do" place, she was there to say "you know what to do...now do it." Whenever I was at a place where I did not want to be a role model...she said to me "that's what you are and you better not mess up!" Whenever I was a place of discouragement she was there to encourage me. Whenever I need to be healed she was there to heal me. Whenever I had to make a major decision, she was there to guide me. Whenever I was confused, she was gave me insight and shared her wisdom. When I was a death moment and decided that death was performed to life….my mother said “you will live!”….I’m coming to see about you!
Through all my mother's choice words of encouragement and vigilant spiritual guidance, I discovered that she was "healing me!" The Bible puts it like this "speak to yourself in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs," my mother healed me by speaking into me in words of motivation, encouragement and life.
Now that my mother is elderly and not as spry….when I’m in need of motivation, encouragement and life spoken into my situation my sister’s remind me remember what "momma said...!"
My mother…. my friend, my sister, my mentor, my guardian angel, my healer….my number one FAN! I forever keep in my heart “What momma said!”