Diva Dialogue-May, 2011

Well May is not quite over but nonetheless, I got something to say. Well, I always have something to say but hey I have been MIA and I know you all are wondering why. May is not the best month for me. It signifies so many things, good and bad. As usual, this one was no exception. May tends to be an emotional month for me. My dad passed in May and though it has been six years, sometimes it seems like yesterday. Our relationship was complicated. That is another blog for the future. Let's suffice it to say that despite the complexities, no one person has ever been less judgmental. Without a doubt, I knew he loved me. Some days, I just wanna hear his voice and see him interact with his grandchildren. Unfortunately, I only have memories and hopefully they will not fade any time soon.

I realized how much of a wishy-washy relationship I have with Facebook. I love that I have connected with old friends and acquaintances. I hate how people use it. I try to be positive. My messages are not issued subliminally and I don't project my life drama in my statuses. Anyway, I went to write on the Wall of a friend who had been on my mind. Lo and behold, I notice messages of condolences to her and her twins. My heart immediately skipped a beat. Long story short, her husband had passed away unexpectedly the day before. We are talking an individual the same age as me in the prime of their life. Made me pause and think that life is short and you betta tell your loved ones what they mean to you. Forgive easily too. I am holding my friend in prayer because I don't know how I would deal with becoming a widow at such a young age. I did talk to her and I commended her for her strength but I reminded her to take her time to grieve the loss of her hubby/best friend/soul mate. Society has no patience for people and their pain. Grief is necessary and all the stages must be dealt with for you to be healthy and move forward. It is a never ending process too.  I encouraged her to get a grief counselor for her and her children. 

Okay, okay! I am bringing you down, huh? Well, on a lighter note, I attended my 25th Class Reunion. I had not returned to the hallowed halls of Laurel School since I graduated. There really wasn't a reason. Just not convenient. I went to a private all girls school. I got an excellent education and some experiences that I would never have in a public school.  A couple of classmates started campaigning early to make sure I'd attend. I made them a promise and I followed through. I had an awesome time catching up with the girls. It was a blast to see where life had taken us over the years. It was also cool to reflect on the past but I'm thankful that time had changed us for the better. (SN: I was a minority child in a sea of non-minority faces. (Think about 6 of 58). I was a scholarship recipient amongst girls who got BMWs and Benzs for their 16th birthdays. I went home to the city, they went home to suburban sprawl.....you get the picture). The reunion was well attended. Yes, we had a record turnout. I was happy I was a part of the celebration and I have a much better appreciation of the women we each have become.

Yesterday was my 15th Wedding Anniversary. Wow! All I can say is that is has been a whirlwind relationship. Some up, some downs, and everything in between. Last year was a rough year for us and some times I wanted to walk away. Nothing worth having isn't worth fighting for. My husband is a good man. We both have issues and some times getting past them and working through them is a difficult task. Our union is one for the storybooks and so to keep it simple, we weathered the storm. Oh we both know there are more to come. For me, prayer and communication are the key. For him, it may be something else. What we know is that we love each other and we work well together. We have fun together. We have two awesome children who make us crazy. We both like wine and food and travel. We have aging parents and grandparents who we worry about. We have life stuff, just like every one else but at the end of the day, it is in each others arms that we find love, trust, and understanding. I wish that for every one. So we raise a glass to the next 15 years of love, life, and drama. I encourage married folks who are having a difficult period to stay the course and trust God.  I love Dmitri more now than the day we said, "I do!"

The month is almost over. The grill will be going, the wine will flow. We will share it with good friends. I will bid my dear friend Rose a sad so long as she returns to South Africa where she is a missionary sharing the gospel and mentoring others to grow their relationship with Christ. I will wish my dear friend Yvonne a Happy 50th birthday. We will light a candle in honor of Julius Luciano Torres, our nephew lost to SIDS. His 1st birthday would have been celebrated on May 30th. If you remember, please say a prayer for his parents, Tiffany and Dennis. The past few months have been difficult for them as it would for anyone who suffers loss of a baby. Two of my nephews will graduate and so will my 3rd child born to my friend, Dorna! The future looks bright and I wish Tre, Lorin, and Bryan well in their future endeavors. I have high hopes for each of them. Then on to the best month of the year June! Geminis unite! LOL! My birthday is coming. School will be over! Praise the Lord! Well, I gotta go! I love you all! Be safe this Memorial Day Weekend! Don't drink and drive! Be blessed and be a blessing! Ciao!

Copyright on May 26, 2011 by Pamela Cole Thorpe

Osama is Finally Dead

Last night Pres. Obama announced that Osama Bin Ladin had been killed by US Navy Seals. What a whirlwind of images floated through my mind and another torrent of emotions surged in my heart. Wow! After 10 long years, where most American were confident bin Ladin would never ever be caught, the master of hide and seek was found and killed in a mansion in Pakistan. So many thoughts floated through my mind. I had gone downstairs to make a sandwich and came up to find my husband watching his favorite station, CNN. He quickly advised me that something BIG was happening but had no clue what. I stated, "maybe they caught and killed bin Ladin" in jest. He looked at me like I was crazy said that he thought it would be something to do with Libya. Moments later it was confirmed that I was actually on point. I patted myself on the back and waited with bated breathe for the President to appear and make the formal annpouncement.

As we waited, I reflected on that fateful day in September. I prayed that the families of the victims would feel some type of relief and closure. You can't minimize their loss and you definetely sympathize with their grief and pain. I pictured then Pres. Bush saying that we would seek justice. I thought about all the troops that fight tirelessly. I had a realization that there may be retaliation, so the troops are probably no closer to coming home. I prayed for their families, too. I prayed for the Obama family. Running this country can't be an easy task and of late I feel the public has made a mockery of the position. We are going to see all kinds of fallout from this one event. Some of it will be good and some of it will be tragic. What I am waiting for is to see how we proceed in our dealings with Pakistan. That is a very fragile relationship right now.

What I know is this, God is in control. He blesses in the midst of messes. We should all feel good about our country and pray for our leadership. Our daily security is threatened in ways we never know. There is another Osama bin Ladin who is already trained for the next task. We must be sober and vigilant. Yes we must always have hope. Only God knows why things have been orchestrated this way and we have to trust that His plan really is good.

I initially was gonna write about the White House Correspondent's Dinner. Obama and Seth Myers took it to Trump. We know he will be asking to see the body and wanting to check the DNA for himself to assure that Osama is dead. Let's face it, after waiting 10 years, we all need some proof. It is just the nature of the beast. Here's what I like about how things played out.....Yes, Obama dogged Trump. He deserved it. It was a classy way to get a Southside Chicago beatdown without throwing a blow. It was triumphant that the Pres pre-empted Trump's show the next night at what I know to be a pivotal moment. He interrupted the show and then arrived on CP(for my Caucasian friends, that's Colored People's) time to show that he can be gangsta if he has to. Tee hee hee. He delivered a clear concise message to the American public.

The Americans cheering outside the White House made me reflective. Was it really a moment to cheer? Would justice have been better served if bin Ladin had to meet a judge and jury? How were the families of the 9/11 victims going to feel? Hope or hype? Are we any safer? Are the troops going to come home any time soon? Only time will tell how things will play out. God bless America!!

Copyright by Pamela Cole Thorpe on May 2, 2011