There are so many great people that I have encountered throughout my life that I have grown to love as if they were my blood relatives. I am most grateful to God for bringing all of them into my life; no matter the length of time or season. Just know that I love you all…You are most gracious and beautiful in your own right, spirit and personality. I do have to admit that those closes to me share a similar mind, heart and spirit. We are beautiful inside and out, but never back us into a corner…we are coming out. We stand for something and most people are bothered by this whole notion. How could one continue to stand when I am doing all I can to see your demise? Maya Angelou said it best, “And Still We Rise.”

Having close family and friends are important for the navigation through this maze called life. I always say, if God meant for us to be alone he would not have created other people. It would simply be no world, and we simply could not hold up the world on our lone shoulders. We would be crushed by the masses of all the things that life hurls our way. It is nice to know that we do not have to journey down roads less traveled on our own. “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand make this world a better place if you can.”

The thought of knowing that we have someone to lend us a hand when we need it most is a sense of security. Do you know of anyone that has entered into this life without the assistance of another? Before you were welcomed into this world it was your mother who coached you through the birth canal. No matter the highs and lows of life we encounter we will always need the aid of another. Whether it is a pep talk, help with brushing us off or a hand to pull us back to our feet so that we can continue our race through life. “Get up Stand up, don’t give up the fight.”

We have a sense of responsible for each other, whether we like it or not. We are connected in more ways than one and we are our brother’s keeper. In order for the cycle of life to continue we have reach back and pull another forward. I was once told that there are three kinds of people; those who are born with it, those who can be lead to it, and the third group are stones (you should just let them be).

Before you can do anything for anyone else you have to first start by loving yourself…encouraging yourself…healing yourself. Then and only then are you able to help someone else. Even if you are going through always try to help someone else in need.

L.J. 11/26/2018