Mother's Week Tribute Part II

"Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever." ~Author Unknown

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My Grammy is a beautiful spirit - inside and out.



Grammy, ("Lou" - short for "Louise" as I affectionately call her), is a continuous example of selflessness. She thrives on finding ways to help others, even when she is facing challenges herself. Whether it is helping to organize a well-digging mission in Africa or a clothing drive for young mothers in Detroit, it amazes me how even today I have never seen her dwell on the setbacks that life has brought her way. Instead, she is a strong woman of her faith that teaches me that I should be honest about who I am, not be afraid to listen to how I feel, and most importantly, never stop loving people no matter what.



But don't let her small stature, stylish blond hair, and pretty green eyes fool you (isn't she a fox?). Grammy is a woman of strong will and mind. I remember when I was about 7 years old asking why she always called me "Danielle" (my middle name), and the explanation I received was that when I was born, she was hoping that my parents would name me "Elizabeth". When they decided on "Jasmine" in the hospital, I guess as an act of protest she decided to call me by my middle name "Danielle" or just "Princess" ...LOL

One of my favorite memories with Grammy (other than when she calls me on my birthday to tell me the story about the day I was born) was when all of the grandchildren (my brothers and I + our cousin from Memphis) would spend the summer at my grandparents' house. Grammy would make sure we were always doing something fun, were always full of food, and at Vacation Bible School :-)



Even though we haven't spent a summer there in years, today she and I are like old girlfriends when we get together chatting about family events, friends, and everything in between. There is so much comfort in her voice, and being at her house makes me feel like I have found my way home.

I know that one of the reasons I was blessed with such and awesome mother, is because I have an awesome Grammy.

Happy Mother's Day Grammy! I love you! xoxox

And...I'm Out Ya'll...

Guess who is officially one-fourth of a doctor?

Guess who doesn't have another class until August?

Guess who is feeling like the winning-est, winner on Win-Win street?...






Now excuse me, I would love to stay and chat, but it's time for me to enjoy my SUMMER VACATION!!!



Ciao!

Mother's Week Tribute Part I

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
- Abraham Lincoln



Anyone who knows me beyond this blog knows that my mom and I are very close. So, of course, when I start paying tribute to some of the amazing moms in my life she is first on my list!



Most of our parents tell us that we do not understand how much they love us until we have our own children, and that is so true.

I was trying to figure out what all to include in this post, and I got overwhelmed, because when I think about all that my mom has been through and accomplished: supporting our family as a businesswoman while my dad was in medical school and residency, encouraging, organizing, and helping my dad to build his own practice, serving as business manager of their business, and now going back to school to take on a career in project management - In addition to putting everything she has/had into raising four children into caring, intelligent, successful, and confident young adults...



Yeah, I was kind of beeping my own horn there, but you know what I am trying to do...

Oh, and did I mention my mom is BEAUTIFUL? I'm trying to step my game up...Everyone thinks we are sisters when we are out together - and it's NOT because I look old... #BlessedwithGREATgenes

In my two years of being a mother, I have realized that for the past almost 24 years I have been blessed with one of the most wonderful examples of motherhood.

(Disclaimer: My mom is a movie buff and Mommy Dearest is one of our favorite movies to quote - she didn't ever do the "No more wire hangers!" thing...LOL)

Yes, my mom and I don't see eye to eye on everything, and things get a little crazy at times, but at the end of the day I feel like if I am half the woman she is then I am doing alright.


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Here are just some of the things I have learned from my mom that I hope to pass on to my own children:

~"You are the head and not the tail. You are above and not beneath" (Deuteronomy 28:13): We were told that we were winners everyday growing up because God said so. And before we got out the car to go to school, she made sure we said it too. We always would complain about the affirmations book she would make us read on the way to school, but now I have it in my house for when little Nate gets bigger :-) lol

~Family takes care of each other: No matter what my three brothers and I were disagreeing about, she always reminded us that we are supposed to always take care of each other and have each others' backs...

~Don't wait to tell people that you love and appreciate them: My mom is the originator of our going around the table and sharing "Why (insert name here) is special.." tradition on every birthday, and "What we are thankful for..." on the holidays...

~Don't be afraid to show people who you are - unapologetically AND with confidence: Growing up in a predominantly Caucasian community, many times we were the only African Americans in the school, on the team, in the neighborhood, etc. But my mom constantly told us we could be proud of our differences, embrace who we are, and never be ashamed of where we came from. Most of the schools we went to did not observe MLK day as a holiday, so she would keep us home to do reports on MLK or go to the celebration at the DuSable Museum. When I got to middle school, she was single handedly responsible for creating a Black History Month exhibit that they asked her to continue even after we graduated.

~It's your responsibility to thrive where you are planted: Whether we were living in Chicago during my dad's residency with VERY few resources, or in the small Indiana town I grew up in, she always was looking for ways to make sure we made the most of what our environment had to offer and made the best of all situations.

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I am so proud to call her my mother, and thankful to have her in my life.

Happy Mother's Day! I love you, Mommy Dearest xoxo

The Prayer

I know I said I wouldn't be blogging today, but I changed my mind...lol

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Today has been a very sobering day of reflection for Americans. Whatever your reaction is to the most recent events, I think that it is important that we continue to pray for our troops, our leaders, and our country. I heard this song today, and it was just what I needed to hear - not even realizing that the video has many references to the tragedies on 9/11. In uncertain times like these, it is important to cling to your faith, and pray - He is listening.



I pray You’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know
Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way

Lead us to a place
Guide us with Your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe

I pray we’ll find Your light (I pray we’ll find Your light)
And hold it in our hearts (and hold it in our hearts)
When stars go out each night (when stars go out each night)
Remind us where You are (remind us where You are)
Let this be our prayer (let this be our prayer)
When shadows fill our day (when shadows fill our day)

Oh Lord, lead us to a place, oh my
Guide us with Your grace (guide us with Your grace)
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that’s broken will be mended
And we’ll remember we are all God’s children
Reaching out to touch you, reaching to the sky

We ask that life be kind (we ask that life be kind)
And watch us from above (and watch us from above)
We hope each soul will find (we hope each soul will find)
Another soul to love (another soul to love)

Let this be our prayer (let this be our prayer)
Just like every child (just like every child)

Needs to find a place
Guide us with Your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

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God bless us all.

Check Me Out on "Meet A Wife Monday"!!!

Hey loves!

No post here from me today, BUT you can catch me as the featured wifey today in "Meet a Wife Monday" on The Man, Wife, and Dog Blog! Every week she features a new wife in an interview on her experience being married - such a cute idea!

So stop by and show her blog (and me) some love!



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Also, this week in honor of Mother's Day, I am going to honor some of the amazing mother's in my life...can't wait!

Ok, well, Microbiology calls. Time to hit the books!

xoxox