November's Editor's Note
Being Thankful
by Cashana © 2007
2007 is almost gone. This year has gone so fast I haven’t had a chance to really enjoy all the blessings it has given me. In fact, this year seems to be going in a frantic pace and no matter how hard I try to get off this runaway train, I can’t. I need a vacation like nobody’s business, so I can recuperate my mind, body and spirit. In the meantime, I need to just take a moment to be thankful, but with all I and others have been through – I am blessed.
There are folks still reeling in the disbelief in California of losing their homes in the devastating fires of the area. What is sad is the fact there are allegations of arson being the cause. What has been interesting is how quickly the president responded in declaring the area a disaster and how the governor sought assistance immediately. Or, when FEMA did the fake press conference to insure the public knew they were on top of things and show they had learned a lesson from the affects of Hurricane Katrina. I am blessed it wasn’t my family harmed by the fires, because who knows if the insurance companies would help our family, especially since we aren’t white or rich. I do feel bad for the folks who lost their homes and the impact of having nothing has and will have on them, but I just know they will be rebuilt and although they cannot replace keepsakes, they do have the insurance to know that in two years they will still not be displaced, like our people in New Orleans. For that I am thankful…
Genarlow Wilson is home after serving two years in prison for Aggravated Child Molestation. It took years of fighting, signing petitions and protests to get this child free. I know he is thankful to be home and spend time with his family, but I know a part of him knows there is a part of his life which he will never get back. I am thankful he doesn’t have to spend another day in prison and I pray he has learned from this experience and will use his experience as a testimony to other youth. I am thankful he is home, but what about Mychal Bell, should time served have been enough? I wish I could say at least it isn’t my own brother in prison, but I can’t, his fate will have him behind bars until 2011. At least he will be released before his birthday…that is something to be thankful for.
Breast cancer touched close for all of us in this book club, with two of our members in the last 2 years who were diagnosed with the disease. I am thankful they have shared their experience because it gives us hope for the future. I don’t know if I could have been as strong as they were during this time. I am thankful they are still here to encourage us all.
I lost the one positive male role model in my life. I am so thankful to have had him in my life for over 13 years. Mr. Moore was like the father I never had. I could talk to him about any and every thing and we could laugh and get mad and still be back to the teacher pupil role. He taught me so much. The last thing he taught me do was changing the toilet stool handle. I know, what is the big deal? He showed me what to do and and explained in detail how to do it, because I may have to change it one day. Of course I was skeptical, but last week I changed the one in my house with not trouble. And I cried after I did it because I would have eventually figured it out, but I knew what to do and it took me less than 5 minutes and to think no other man ever took the time to show me something so simple. He is the only man I would have allowed to teach me something so mundane. I am thankful for all he did, taught, showed, debated with me about and I am so thankful to have had a man who cared about me.
I am so thankful for so many things but taking time to acknowledge them is important. So while enjoying your family and thanksgiving dinner, take the time to be thankful. Imani!