On October 10, 2011, Lifetime Television Network announced plans to remake one of my favorite movies, Steel Magnolias. My first thought was “Really!!!???” I just found it hard to imagine how they could possibly improve on this classic chick flick.

Released in 1989, this comedy-drama focused on a bond among group of women in a Louisiana parish.  It starred Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah and a newcomer to the Hollywood scene, Julia Roberts.  The movie was derived from playwright Robert Harling’s 1987 play of the same name.  Harling wrote the drama in the wake of his own sister’s death as a result of diabetes.

The movie opens with wedding preparations for Shelby.  This character, played by Roberts, is also a diabetic and has to deal with the fact that she may not be able to bear children.  Harling expertly entwines the other women, all with varying eccentricities and strengths, into the story as they help Shelby not only prepare for her wedding, but lend support to her after she later decides to have a child.  Shelby does successfully deliver a health baby boy, but she pays the ultimate price.  Within two years, she dies from kidney failure even after her mother, M’Lynn, donates one of her kidneys to Shelby. Her family and friends unite to help Shelby’s husband, Jackson, raise their young son.

This was truly a great movie.  The performance that young Julia Roberts gave earned her a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress…her first. I have watched it over and over, and still cry at the graveyard scene.

Here’s the interesting thing...Lifetime has decided to use an African-American cast for the remake.  Kenny Leon, the director of ABC’s movie, A Raisin in the Sun, is slated to direct this film set in Louisiana.  When I read this earlier today, I went into deep reflection.  My first thought was “Oh boy!” LOL…I could see another “Waiting to Exhale and Living Single while we discover How Stella Got Her Groove Back” production forming. Now don’t get me wrong…I have enjoyed watching each of these.  But so often, in an attempt to keep it real, African-American features get so full of clichés and stereotypes.  Frankly, I just didn’t see a need to remake it.

But I thought about it a little more. Suddenly I asked “Why not?”  So I placed myself in the role of casting director and thought how I would cast it.  Of course, stars like Kimberly Elise, Diahann Carroll, Elise Neal, Queen Latifah and Loretta Divine ran through my mind as obvious choices.  I can even see Pattie LaBelle as the “Clairee” character.  Yeah it might just work.

The shows, films and books I have truly enjoyed have always been the ones to which I could relate.  They are the ones that when I close my eyes I suddenly find myself in the world they have created.  That’s one of the reasons I fell in love with “Steel Magnolias.” I so loved the Shelby character.  I felt her determination to live in spite of her condition, and I knew that I would have made the same decisions she made.

So as I sat in one our “eye-glazing” meetings this morning, my thoughts were drawn back to this news. I soon began to wonder which of the people in my life could play these characters.  Who are the steel magnolias in my world? Which females do I know represent these delicate, fragrant flowers, but have the steely resolve to bloom and live even after being batter by high winds, fierce rain or chills? I am talking about those women who just won’t lie down and die even after they fall away from the things they know. As I remembered the scenes and the lines, friends and relatives soon replaced the actresses that made this movie such as hit.  Before I knew it, I was writing my chosen cast down in my handy-dandy journal. Here’s the cast I chose:

M’Lynn was Shelby’s mother.  She is very opinionated, but quite grounded.  She is led by common sense and loves to keep things simple. She is an organizer and loves giving others things to do.  She is the classic Mother Bear who is super-protective of her cubs, and easily takes on the mother role with everyone that walks into her sphere.  She might be mistaken as bossy, but it is really love in overdrive.  Two people popped into my mind when I thought about this character: my aunts Annie and Mary.  The first is my mom’s oldest sister and the other is Pops’ youngest sibling. Believe me…either one could easily play the role.

The character of Truvy was played by Dolly Parton.  She owned and operated a beauty salon that was attached to her home.  She is a go-getter who loves to have fun.  She has the Southern girl charm, but is open to new things and ideas.  She sees things in color, but knows how to handle the black-and-white of the world.  This casting was pretty easy…Truvy is so me!

Annelle is the beauty school graduate that Truvy hires.  She is a shy girl that is led by her Southern sensibilities and religious upbringing.  She naturally looks for the good in everyone, so any display of ugliness offends her.  She has a humble spirit, but underneath, is a steel resolve.  I didn’t ponder over this one to long.  My play daughter “Bre-Bre” has this role hands-down.

The next character was a real treat.  Clairee is a sassy widow.  She’s a globetrotter and has truly experienced life. Clairee exudes class and culture, but don’t let her delicate nature fool you.  She has no problem getting down and dirty with anyone. (Man, I howl each time I see her fight scene with friend-nemesis Ouiser in the graveyard.) She is one of those people who can deliver the nice-nasty…the ability to tell you off and be sweet in the same breath. Again two of my sistafriends could pull this character off without a hitch: my nomadic buddy Hannah and my “I’m here, y’all, so let’s do this” girl Ann.

And then there is Louisa “Ouiser” Boudreaux.  The casting for this in the original movie was on point.  It is hard to imagine anybody else playing this grouchy, two-time widow but Shirley MacLaine.  Ouiser’s comedic “anger” is side-splitting. If you didn’t know any better, you’d swear she was just a mean broad.  But deep down, where it really counts is the ride-or-die chick.  You may not always understand her methods, but when she has your back…she has your back.  I must admit that I had to seek outside help to fill this role. Over lunch, I discussed it with Big C.  His forehead wrinkled up for a minute or two and then he laughed.  He opened his mouth and said in that “it’s really quite simple” tone of his: Tee.  After looking into his eyes for a few seconds, I smiled and wholeheartedly agreed.  My sister Tee would be perfect.

I saved the casting of the Shelby role for last.  She was truly my favorite. Her wit and determination made her heroic. She was not willing to allow the possibility of death from doing something she truly desired to do.  She has the “well, I’ll try anyway” spirit that I love.  This casting has to be just right.  I sat at my desk for nearly an hour…just rummaging through the file cabinet in my head.  I looked at all of the women I have known and compared them to the role.  My answer was shocking.  In my film, the role of Shelby will be played by none other than my “twin” Ayana. 

Okay, let me explain this choice.  Ayana is one amazing chick.  Every since she was conceived, she has been moving to her own beat.  I almost died giving birth to this lady…no lie…because she was determined that she would enter this world when she was good and ready.  I have told the story of that labor over and over.  And each time, I just picture her bracing her hands and feet against my uterine wall and refusing to budge.  Whenever Ayana is around when I describe it, she simply shrugs her shoulders and replies, “Hey, it was warm.”

Ayana has always moved at her own pace.  Everyone in our house can be rushing to and fro to get ready to head off to an event, but not Ayana.  She casually moves about, humming one of her newly composed tunes and checking her hair to make sure it is on point. 

Now don’t mistake this for laziness.  The girl is far from it.  She is so gifted…and I am not biased. LOL!  She has taught herself to play the piano, the organ, guitar and the keyboards.  She even writes music, and the only formal “training” she has had was the school chorale and our church choir.  She has a flair for fashion, and loves all things artistic! Plus, she also has perfect comedic timing and is an excellent actress.

And just like Shelby, Ayana is fearless! She never backs down from a challenge and is always ready to try new things. She is not even scared of those things that are physically extreme…in spite of being asthmatic.  Oh man, I remember when she was first diagnosed.  Poor baby was plagued with respiratory problems for almost a year.  The devil was determined to silence my little girl who could belt out “Going Up Yonder” like a grown woman at age four.  But Ayana, in her true “whatever” spirit, didn’t let that stop her.  In fact, little lady came up with this calming technique that keeps the attack from progressing once it starts.  She rarely keeps the inhaler with her.  She is a true fighter…the perfect Shelby.

So this completes my casting of My Steel Magnolias.  This was such a fun exercise. By doing this, I learned to appreciate the flavor of each woman God has added to my life.  I can’t wait until the premiere of Lifetime’s version.  I wonder if it will be as good as the one I have imagined. Hey, maybe I should reach out to them and tell them I know a few ladies who would be perfect for this project.  Hmmmm…..

“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”  ~ Alexandar Graham Bell

This season of my career is over.  It did not just happen; the writing has been on the wall for quite some time now.  I’ve tried to ignore it for quite a while.  After the last few years of tumult, I just didn’t want to deal with another change.  Yet it is here, and I can’t avoid it. I won’t avoid it.

No the doors to the joint haven’t closed.  But the economic downturn of the last few years has our business hurting.  We are limping along, but I don’t foresee that going on for too much longer.  There is a new “sheriff” in charge right now…a new captain of this cruiseliner.  His reputation of “stopping the bleeding” greeted us a few months before we laid eyes on him.  No announcements have been made, but the undercurrent of major change is there.  It’s happening all around us in this community.  I am really not shocked that it is coming here.

I sit back daily and watch the rest of the crew run to and fro frantically.  They don’t know if they should pray, hold their breath or just pretend all is well.  I find myself daily soothing the nerves of one my cubicle hell playmates. She worries herself to the point of sickness; I can understand why…she is the main breadwinner.  What happens to her piece of the American dream if she is no longer working?

I’m not afraid though.  God took that from me some time ago.  See I’ve already experienced major upheaval over the last four years.  I’m not apathetic.  I’m not numb.  I’m just okay.

I’m not being pessimistic, either. I continue to pray over this situation because I know there are others involved.  I want God to take care of them.

But I know that there is something else planned for me.  See in the middle of a personal crisis, God gave me the desire to write again.  No matter how much I have tried to focus on my job, things pop up to bring my thoughts back to the writing.  I’m like my college classmate Dina.  None of the things I have dealt with…not one single one… is considered a coincidence. I’ll just consider it part of the script. And like any good actor, I want to deliver an award-winning performance. I am studying the script…researching my character...understanding her motivations.  I must be prepared.  Before you step on the stage, you know your role.

Does that mean that I mean I report to the place everyday and just sit diddling my thumbs? Absolutely not! I still give the place a 110 percent every time I walk through the door and sit in my cubicle.  I attend all of the meetings, conduct all the trainings, do all the research, visit and talk with potential clients.  I give them due diligence.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not mapping out the path to my next season.  See my dreams extend beyond just releasing this book.  A few months ago, I came across an old letter I had written to myself just before I graduated high school.  In that letter, I outlined where I would be 10 to 15 years later.  And so far…I haven’t achieved much on that list.  (That’s actually okay…I actually saw myself married to one of my high school boyfriends who I will just refer to as Cool.  He’s an okay dude…I just couldn’t imagine being married to him now.)

At one point in that letter, I discussed my desire to be bigger than Oprah.  I am an Oprah fan. No, I am not the type that had all of her show’s TiVoed, and I have never rushed out and bought anything that made her “Favorite Things” list. But I am still a fan. That is not because she has amassed millions.  See I wouldn’t mind the luxuries she has; but I am more interested in her voice.  Oprah experienced degradation, abuse, neglect and nay-sayers, but none of that stopped her.  She still became the voice for so many that had been ignored.  Her voice has had the power to effect change in various arenas.  Yep, that’s what I want.  I want my voice to count.  I want to not only make my dreams come true, but I want to be able to provide the resources to make dream achievement possible for others as well. (My Deanna spirit is jumping for joy over that announcement.  I don’t know why….she is not the only one who cheers others on to success!)

Now I will still do my job until it is no more.  That’s the Dana in me.  I have to keep it all in control.  Big C and those babies depend on me.  And when this season ends, I will just launch into the next one.  Even if it means that I have to go elsewhere to get things on point. Right now that looks very promising.  It’s a change…yes, but I’m ready. 

See nowhere in that letter did I express the need to settle down in one spot.  I have always had a bit of the nomadic spirit.  I see it as an adventure, and those who know me know I can’t resist a good adventure.  I won’t jump the gun, but I want be scared to step out in faith.  One of my former schoolmates, Makeda Young, said it best.  On January 17, she posted this on her Facebook wall:  “Once you are secure in what God has promised you, you will begin to expect increase and provision, not lack and insufficiency.” God has blessed me with another chance over and over again. So I am moving forward. I’m not scared…I’m ready!

I am such a fan of radio! Most of my time on the Hill was spent in Tucker Hall.  (FAMUans know what I’m talking about!) And the third floor of Tucker Home was home to the Journalism division.  Yes, our full school’s name at the university was the School of Journalism, Media and Graphic Arts, but the Graphic Arts division was on your way off of the Hill. Yes, Tucker Hall was the Mecca of our Journalism program, and it was at the heart of the campus.

At any given time during the day, you would find J-school students hustling and bustling along the third floor.  Notepads and pens in hand, we were running off to the next class or to make the next deadline. And my favorite spot was the haven of WAMF 90.5. 

During my senior year, I spent every afternoon there.  I was enrolled in the Radio Practicum course and served as afternoon segment news producer for the entire semester.  Although we were required to rotate positions, I remember that Professor Gloria Horning recognized my organizational skills really early and pretty much kept me in that spot.  So I didn’t do as much air or board time as the other students.  It was my job to pull the afternoon show together.  I would race into the computer lab across from the station every day and check the wire for interesting story ideas.  I then pulled all of the press releases that came into the FAMUAN newsroom.  Plus I had to keep up with all the breaking news so that we could pull together a top-quality, informative show.  Smoke could be seen coming from my ears as I wrote the copy and then edited it. Then I would schedule the lineup and then our group would race across the hall to the studio to put on the show! It was the hardest “A” I have ever earned, but I had so much fun doing it. 

At the end of each show, the afternoon drive DJ would take over the reins. FAMU did an awesome job of training us to truly run the show in the studio.  I would sit back and watch in fascination as many of my fellow classmates handled the call-ins, read promos and perform the smooth transition between live broadcasts and pre-recordings. To this day, every time I turn on the radio in the car, I am transported back to those days.  As a result, I really critique the programming that I hear.  I expect quality broadcasting when I am in my car because it is normally my war-room.  I spend time during my commute in the morning getting myself together for the day ahead, and my afternoon ride home is where I evaluate my position after the last daily battle.  So the radio programming must be on point.

Well this morning as I rode in, I was listening to one of my favorite morning drive shows, The TJMS.  Of course, they were still riding the wave of high aspiration from the King Holiday; so much of the discussion and the music this morning reflected that theme. Halfway to my destination, a song came over the air that I hadn’t heard in years.  It was “You Will Know.” Written by D’Angelo, this song was released on New Year’s Day 1994 by a group of well-known R&B performers calling themselves collectively Black Men United. The song was featured on the “Jason’s Lyric” soundtrack.

I quickly turned the dial up to near blasting.  This was one of my jams back in the day.  Every top male R&B performer at the time was featured on this joint.  I mean everybody…except for the “King of R&B” himself…Mr. Bobby Brown. LMBO…okay, I digress!

Before I knew it, I was singing and swaying.  And when I pulled into the parking lot, tears had filled my eyes. I could still hear the song playing in my head as I walked up the sidewalk and entered the building.  So when I sat at my desk, I immediately pulled out the old trusted journal and began to jot down my thoughts.

This song is truly amazing.  Besides the quality singing and the beautiful musical arrangement, the words are truly uplifting. D’Angelo has such a gift, and I truly hope that this cat gets himself situated so he can amaze us with his talent again.

Anyway, the song in a nutshell is about the evolution of a man’s dream.  Now, this song was written by a black man and song by mostly African-American men, but it can be applied to all of humankind. As the song begins, you find a young man who professes the vision he has for his life.  As he grows into manhood, he puts his dream aside.  After he reaches maturity, he pursues his dream finally, but finds that his journey is not as easy as he thought it would be.  He is then encouraged to keep pressing forward until the dream is realized.

Wow…how did D’Angelo know he would be writing about D’Anne’s journey? Writing is not just a habit I picked up along the way.  I answered this calling as a small child. It has guided me through the darkest days in my childhood. Writing was the motivation behind my pursuit of a degree in journalism.  I just knew that I was on the way to my life of worldwide travels, and I planned to write about every moment of it.

But life happened! I put the dream aside to feed and clothe the baby. Then the other babies followed.  After the last baby got to an age where I thought she could survive the daycare world, I pursued another career path. I would think about the writing occasionally…write a couple of plays for our church programs…fill up a few notebooks with pieces I’d planned to submit to my favorite magazines…compile a few short stories that got swallowed up by the computer whose hard drive crashed, but my real life kept screaming for my attention.

Then August 22, 2007 happened. I found myself housed in the family ICU unit with Mommy.  After the magazines and crossword puzzles no longer held my attention, I had to find something else to distract me while I waited for her to come out of that coma.  That’s when Fancy was born.  I would scribble notes on every piece of paper I could find.  Then Big C surprised me with my first laptop.  It was supposed to help me keep up with my work at the office.  It did, but I also wrote until the wee hours of the morning.

Mommy came out of the coma and then went home.  I then returned to my regular life as much as I could.  The writing took a back seat to my father-in-law’s illness, his death, and then my mother-in-law’s sudden hospitalization.  Before I knew it, I was overtaken by Pop’s death, an economic downturn and Faith’s emotional drama and impending motherhood. I just couldn’t focus on writing. 

That changed on November 9, 2010.  That’s when I broke from my chains and refused to be silenced.  Don’t be mistaken; I am still battling the distractions and disruptions life can bring.  But I am determined. 

That’s why I have gone down this blogging path. My writing through this venue has kept me focused. If a distracting thought comes up, I just write about until I feel it has gotten enough attention. Then I file it away on the Web site.  I have no doubt about Fancy’s release.  It will happen. My dream might have been deferred, but it won’t be denied!