Reflecting on the women in my Life

well I was having this conversation with Erykah Badu...no really trust me its true, ok I left her a message and she finally wrote back, but she responded, so that means we were chatting. Well, it made me even more in awe of her, I just wanted to sit down, drink tea, burn incenses, and work in the lab with her lol lab, see yeah feeling more intune with her already. I would make sure i wrote down every quote or saying that she said, because you know she got if from one of her southern aunties, or (grand)mother, I know crazy right, man I hope she don't let me down. Remember I am a true Dreamer. {Don't Judge Me} But have you ever met that person who seems to always say the right things at the right times or makes their own paths without your permission and never needs your approval. She is one of those people to me, I think my admiration for her is because she makes no excuses for who she is, wild hairstyles, funky clothes, loud jewelry, dope beats, classic lines, she is on her own planet and she lets us visit through her music. I feel the same way about Jill Scott. Smooth as can be, I think the lady is so regal, classic, beautiful, humble, and carries a quiet strength that does not go unnoticed Not to mention that both women are very spiritual and talented as well. I often wish I could be in their presence and learn, and create with them, well its never to late. Its funny because I never had these celebrity admiration's growing up, I was a more realistic kid when it came to heroes, admiring my 4th grade teacher Ms. Hill. She was the first lady in my life other than my mom that I wanted to be like when I grew up. She was stern, loving, smart, and she pushed us like crazy. She made us work, so we could play harder later, and I never forgot that. That whole conversation with Badu, {It was a conversation}made me want more women like that in my life. The ones who you would have never thought you could learn something from and others who are so bad they don't have to utter a word and you know it. Then I thought how foolish of me to forget the Gems in my life now. So this is an ode to them.

• To my Mom for always helping everyone, and for being one of those parents who was able to instill that healthy fear in this child, so that she only needed one whooping to know who was the boss.


• My grandmother for getting on my nerves and teaching me so much all at the same time. It amazes me how she can forget my age, but remember that sock hop party down to a T, what she was wearing, and who said what, and who she was talking to, and dancing with.....LOL


• My cousin Irene for always being a lady, and hardworking mother.


• To my sister who has the gift of having the most beautiful and healthy children ever.


• To Meghan for being one kick ass friend, for being the conscience of the group, it amazes me what the girl won't do, vs. what she will. For sharing her family with me, laughing with me about nothing and everything all at the same time. For being one of the best traveling buddies ever, and never remembering nothing when I need her to. I'm in awe of how she just lets some stuff roll off her back, I will keep trying maybe one day.
  


• To Latrese oh, sweet Latrese, lol....for your effortless sense of humor, some don't appreciate it, but I love how you don't have to try. For accomplishing some of your dreams. Thank you for being more stubborn than me. Again one good traveling buddy, your stubbornness can get in the way, but you know "LA ME LA" for life. Thanks for being down for whatever 95% of the time. I also love the fact that you don't have a pblm working or hustling, every since 7th grade. Some people don't know this but I think she is one of the smartest people I know, she doesn't let everybody see that side of her....lmbo, no really she is sometimes.
  


• Katyana, for being the other piece to the traveling crew, lets keep this party going. Thanks for sharing your family, they are mine now. Kudos for always taking care of everyone even when you don't want to. You do things that I wish people would have the nerve to ask me. I give you props for always getting to the front of the line, yall should see her in action. And for not caring who you give the bizness to in public to strangers it don't matter.
  


• Erica, thanks for being my favorite Jessica Simpson fan, I love you girl, the best mother ever and one of the best bullies I know. Don't let her stature fool you she gets down.
  


• Sharrell, my lambchop, you are one of the best nice/nasty people I have ever met, oh don't get me wrong its a gift you have. Where I come in with the punch (written all over my face), you sneak in with the trip that they never saw coming. A gift!!! I love your diligence, and your persistence in whatever it is. Thank you too for sharing your family and church family, you already know.
  


• Toya, Ms. MiMI,Mrs. Carter, thank you for being the one to call me out, and hold me accountable. I love your ride or die chick attitude, mixed in with your intelligence, its lethal. Your friendship is priceless. I enjoy the connections we have, even with you being miles and miles away. I also could never figure out how you could talk to any and everybody, like I told you before you would talk to a dog if it answered back. But that gift has brought light into so many peoples lives. You always amaze me with how many questions you can ask, I would say its a gift, but only if you worked for the FBI.
  


• Ms. Tonya, thank you my favorite Atype friend, I know I make fun of you but you bring a sense of structure in my life, I know where everything is going to be and go, like you always have a comb when i need it. I admire your ability to be non judgemental, that is truly a gift because I don't know how you didn't laugh at "stockings and jeans."{Yes this girl had on white stockings and jeans} Tonya said nothing!!! A gift I tell ya. Just being around you makes me wanna be better! lastly for having every intention to hang out, but always end up blinking first.
  


• Lakesha, for being a true saint on earth, and a never ending supporter and true big sister.
  


• April, AJ, another one yall don't know about, I love how you can fool everyone to make them think your quite. Thanks for making me look like the nice one, you don't take no stuff and I have learned from the best. Thanks for giving me the best college roommate ever and I am so glad we shared NY together, wouldn't have had it any other way.
  


• Amnieh for being one of the youngest old ladies I know. You have always carried yourself as a lady and that is refreshing in this day. You showed me how you can crack a whip and let your hair down and I'm so glad we have it on film.
  


• Crystal, thanks for being my little sister. I'm impressed by how great a mother you are, keep it up. You are also a fighter in a good way. Also I can appreciate that you like a good party as much as I do.
  


• Chrishanda, oh Chris thanks for being you and for your ability to tell a good story, or what you like to call the truth. I admire that skill, and your enthusiasm for your Christ Choir.

• Treese-Robin to my new cousin, thanks for always making me feel like I belong, your kindness and your work ethics are not normal. I love being able to enjoy and experience the fruits of your labors, or just any ole good time with you. YOU ROCK

• Lamia, my biggest cheerleader no everybody's biggest cheerleader, you have a gift of being able to hype anyone and anything up, talented I tell ya. i admire that and your creativity is so unique. You go classy lady. Don't let the sweet voice fool ya, she will protect her set.
  


• Eraina, thanks for being the strongest parent I have met thus far, and I admire your eagerness for learning, and being the dopest Ivy league chic I know.
  


• Ms. Barber(Lambchops mom), thank you for your unconditional love and for being an unshakable worshiper. For being a lady at all times and going after your dreams, and being a great mother. I love the fact that you are a Christian with a sense of humor, that makes you real.
  


• Granny (lamb chops grandmother) thanks for being the best HUGGER this side of the Mason/Dixon Line. Thank you for loving everybody and showing what constant prayer, redemption, unconditional love, and faith look like in a the human form.
  


• Ms. Birge, thanks for being one regal lady, and showing how one supports family unconditionally.
  

I'm not a internationally known celebrity....yet, so my meetings with Badu, and Scott, and Jada, and Michelle O, will just have to be postponed. Until then, I will continue to be thankful for the women in my current circle and praise and recognize the greatness, fierceness, and all of their good bad and ugly. All my ladyloves are awesome I admire, adore, and love them, my friends and family A.K.A. my LOCAL Celebrities. This too was all apart of learning to appreciate my life in the present and like the saying/rap lyric goes the Present is a GIFT. Thanks to all my PRESENT Gifts.....