Hello, beautiful people! July 6, 1981, was a very special day for me. I started my professional career that day – 45 years ago at Pacific Bell, a subsidiary of AT&T. My first job was as a Group Manager in Operator Services. By choice, I primarily worked the afternoon/evening shift when I had the “in-charge” […]
As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s semi quincentennial, I am reflecting on the American Dream. Y’all know this is the week I reread the United States Constitution. What is clear to me is that significant things happened many years ago, before I was born, for me to enjoy the life that I live today. […]
Hello, beautiful people. June is National Cancer Survivors month. I’m blessed to be in the number. For some strange reason, one of the first things I did when I was diagnosed with colon cancer was focus on the first three letters of that dreaded six letter word. Hearing the word “cancer” sent me into an […]
“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) For as long as I can […]
Happy February, beautiful people! A few weeks ago, during a podcast interview, I was asked to name three things that are on my nightstand. Without hesitation, I responded, “A lamp, a multi-device charger, and my Faith’s Checkbook devotional.” While I have other things on my nightstand, these are the main ones. The lamp is for […]
It was the day before New Year’s Eve. I had been puttering around our house all day, making sure everything was ready for my son Anthony’s college friends, who would arrive later that afternoon for a traditional New Year’s weekend of football games and black-eyed peas. I wanted to make sure these kids felt welcome, […]
In July, many families said goodbye to their loved ones after the horrific floods that ravaged the Texas Hill Country on the 4th of July. I felt compelled to write separately about this heart-wrenching disaster. Like many of you reading this post, I often think of the victims and pray for their families. We’ve offered […]
Happy New Year, beautiful people. I thought about giving y’all an end of year snapshot of some 2023 magical moments. But honestly, there were too many pics to choose from and I know y’all don’t have time to view hundreds of 2023 special moments. So, know that 2023 was a wonderful year. My word was […]
Free. Intentionally not bogged down by negativity, toxicity, and pessimism. Purposeful, optimistic, and productive. I am naturally a happy person. Although I usually see the glass half full, I’m not naive and I know every day isn’t Sunday. Sometimes, the glass is almost empty and it must be filled. I’m that person who tries to […]
As I witnessed the casket of Congressman John Lewis being gracefully carried across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, I couldn’t help but notice the golden yellow “VERTICAL CLEARANCE” sign. The height restriction shown on the sign could not limit this giant of a man who stood tall in his convictions, faith, and actions. Fifty-five years after he […]
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day honors the men and women who have died while serving our country as members of the U. S. military. First celebrated in 1868, when 5,000 people came to Arlington National Cemetery to join then-General James Garfield in decorating the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there, it has […]
ImpAct (Emphasis on Act) Impact: To have a direct effect, get together, and strike forcefully! Act: something done voluntarily Today, we celebrate the homecoming of evangelist Billy Graham. One week ago, we mourned, and are still mourning, the killings and violence in Parkland, Florida. These incidents have impacted me tremendously and without question have had an impact […]
Many of us throughout the month of January participated in the federal holiday activitiescelebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This day of service provided time to reflect on Dr.King’s teachings about humanity and recommit to achieving his dream about fairness andequality. Last night, I attended a National CARES Mentoring Movement dinner that left meinspired […]
Over the past few months, I have spent quite a bit of time on airplanes. And for some reason I’ve begun to pay very close attention to the words, “You are free to move about the cabin.” I’ve heard this declaration made hundreds of times, but it never struck me the way it did a couple of […]
Over the past few weeks I’ve had lots of travel experiences. I’m compelled to share one with you right now. Last week the pilot said, “Prepare for ascension.” Now, I’m usually under my headphones working but for some odd reason I was paying close attention. I wondered if I heard the pilot correctly. I’m used to hearing, “Flight attendants, […]
