The Gift Of Love

December 17th I received news that my sweet daughter Suzi was in a tragic accident in Las Vegas. After much confusion my sister Benita and I arrived at the hospital where my favorite nephew D.J. Had already been the primary person until I arrived. He lovingly held my hand and heart through the process. I am grateful for the Love that he and my sister Benita served me during this difficult time. Sadly not all family members were in my corner of much needed Love & Compassion. It’s not that I expected an outpouring of love from anyone however I wasn’t prepared for the cannons that came my way as I tried to bury my sweet Suzi in peace. She was treated horribly and couldn’t get a cup of cold coffee while alive. No one will hurt her anymore! I promise. I am breaking the chains on the black family slave plantation mindset. I’m posting and telling for all of us misfits, black sheep and underdogs. Plantation church negroes must repent and build their own system that doesn’t require destruction. God got this!💕🙏 We Must Return to Being the Gift Of Love

Suzi Baker 1987-2019

Giver of Love 

Organ Donor 1% er

The Value of Friendship

Sharing a love of life and adventure my friend and I laughed our way through lunch. He comes from Seattle once or twice a year to embrace our home and help in the garden. Dan worked with my husband as a vice principal and after the passing of his beloved wife he traveled with my hubby and oldest son to move us to Philadelphia. He has been a constant thread in our life and I cherish and value the relationship. I hope you have such a friend. 

Picking Pears with Papa

#family #summertime #southernlife

SILENCE

Norman F. Chamberlain....

                                          Norman Chamberlain & Wisdom Wright Seattle Wa 2012

Memories like the corners of my mind...misty watered colored memories of my Dearest Norman.

One such Love that will forever be in my Heart. I miss you like crazy but know you're right here!

                                                    Norman Chamberlain & Gwyn Baker courtesy Pacific Media 1990

Through the years and the tears you brought me Joy and allowed all things Beautiful. I so Love you.

                                                     Norman Chamberlain Columbia City 1991

.....Forever is forever is forever is forever

FISK UNIVERSITY HEIRS...

Reflections of Tomorrow by Wisdom W. Wright

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            I peek through the curtains looking at all the different faces that I will soon meet. The sun is peeking through the clouds that fill the sky and I’m just about to go on stage to perform my scene. With this being my first time acting, my heart is beating fast. While my eyes scan the room once more, I finally see her. I see the woman whom I’ve just had tea and biscuits with a few days ago. I see the woman who laughed about her journeys at Fisk University during World War II. I see the woman who smiled while reminiscing about being an independent young woman who took the train back and forth between Pennsylvania and Tennessee. My mind is finally at ease while on stage, because Vivian Freeman’s confident spirit resides within me and I know she is looking forward to the young lady who is about to portray her. Raise the curtains… it’s show time!

            I grew up in the small knit community of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. My family had just moved from the Pacific Northwest and the thought of moving to another region in the United States was frightening to me. I would have to adapt to a new culture, a new community, and the mindset of the people. My family was fortunate enough to move to a community that would be the perfect place for me to make everlasting friendships and hold fond memories of childhood. When I was in second grade I was asked to participate in a community play for individuals who contributed to Huntingdon Valley. This was how I met Vivian Freeman; the woman who helped shape who I was back then and who contributes to my personal development today.

            Vivian Freeman has lived most of her life in Huntingdon Valley. Not only was she one of two Black-Americans to graduate from Lower Moreland High School, she was also valedictorian of her class. She would eventually continue her education at Fisk University earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching. She told me riveting tales of riding the train as an eighteen-year-old girl alone in a world full of confusion and fighting as World War II pressed on in her undergraduate years at Fisk University.

While the world was surrounded by the uncertainty of the future,Ms. Freeman would start her day by wearing her lovely hat and gloves and walk onto the platform of tomorrow as if the other day was just a fleeting moment that pushed her towards her goals. Her courageous spirit has taught me to believe in myself and go beyond the conventional way of life and look for a path that is more noteworthy, vibrant, and fresh. Although uncertainty looms over most of us, Ms. Freeman has encouraged me to live in the moment.

  Photographs of Ms. Vivian Freeman Fisk class of 1946, Wisdom Way future Fisk Scholar

Cultural Divides Part 2

One of the first friends I met, Lady M a Nashville transplant. Our families spend time together often

“Manners and behavior can take you places where money can’t, no matter what color you are"

Mr. Bill “Bojangles” Robinson 1949

Upon further investigation of cultural division it appeared to show its face in areas of fear and superiority/inferiority complexes. Call it what you'd like; sexism, classism, racism, caste system, intellectualism, etc it all comes down to the "golden rule" of treating others the way you would like to be treated. That said, not everyone wants to be treated with respect and their principals may not align with your way of living. I love the quote from Mr. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Manners and behavior are of utmost importance in order that we as a community get along and benefit the whole. It is how you " act, interact and react" to people, places and situations that determine your experience.

Every city and community I have moved in I made sure to take the time to listen and learn as many have been there before me. I enjoy hearing tales of how the community was formed, who came and went. There is nothing new under the sun as they say. We are here but for a measure of breaths and it is my intention to breathe healthy beautiful breaths therefore I do not like spending precious moment tearing down but instead I prefer to build and create bridges.

Cultural Divides first take place in the mind and are acted out. When we judge we create separation and can not receive. Remember that judgment creates separation. Practice being open to new situations and people. Every moment is a new beginning and an opportunity to experience something you have never experienced. Let's build healthy strong bridges together and share this beautiful Earth knowing that others will come after us and be grateful we have left a blueprint for successful sustainable living!

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change. "Charles Darwin