When I was growing up, the old saints used to always say "Give me my flowers while I yet live." The late Reverend James Cleveland scored a hit with his gospel song with the same title. Well, this lady has really taken that message to heart lately. In the last few weeks, I have found myself sitting back and evaluating how quickly the circle has grown since I arrived in Alamo Country... my Promised Land. The journey out here was an adventure by itself, and the circumstances that greeted me upon my arrival...well, that is another story. I choose to not visit that at all since it would divert me from my current goal. And my mission, with this latest blog, is to celebrate the superheroes that have enriched my life.
Immediately after arriving here, I started the first job in the Lone Star State. The first day I spent completing the standard new hire paperwork, getting a mini-glimpse of the position expectations and being taken around the campus for staff introductions. On the second day, I was deposited into a classrooom. And that's where I met her... my new little sister... whom I affectionately call Kimmie Sue.
So after making my decision last week to begin celebrating my superheroes, it just became obvious that she would be the first honoree. And I know when she reads this, she is going to tilt her head to the left, smile that silly grin of hers and ask "Why me, Shug?" And I, in my usual sassy manner, will simply respond, "Because I said so." LOL
Now why has this lady made such an impression on me? It is hard to explain. I mean this little chick can't be more than 90 pounds soaking wet. However, this little petite woman who is shorter than me (and for those of you who know me...that's pretty short), sashayed over and greeted me with a firm handshake and the widest smile. And after ten minutes of sitting in that classroom and observing the cockiness of the instructor, we both turned and looked at each other. No words needed to be said it all. We knew the dude was trying to impress these two sisters. She simply smiled back at me. We have been partners in crime since that day.
Kimmie has been a godsend. She turns up before being asked. She is an easy ear because she simply gets me. She has had no problem accepting the multiple faces and spirits that make me who I am. In fact, she has embraced everything about me.
But what I love the most about her is her Light. She exemplies the "I got you" spirit. Because she is Light, my first "bedroom" here in San Antonio contained pieces from her home to help make the spot my own. She knew that I arrived out here with nothing more than clothes. Those pieces still rest in my bedroom in my current spot. I know I will never part with them.
Because Kimmie is Light, her entire family has adopted me since the moment I was introduced. I spent my first Christmas here with The Gs as a dinner guest. Since that day, I have no longer received invites, I have just been told when and where I need to arrive. She and her sister took me to my first and only Spurs game. (I hate to disappoint them, but I will always be a Heat fan.) Kimmie's little girl has followed in her mommy's footsteps by insisting that she call and check on me. And Kimmie's mom, Mama G, actually scolds me via text and on Facebook. Yesterday, as we left a local restaurant, a gentleman asked Mama G if I was her daughter. She simply responded, "She might as well be." And when Kimmie's dad, Mr. Ernest, transitioned home this past June, I was included in the family's preparations. I was told what colors to wear and where to be. I was honored and humbled.
Kimmie Sue's Light has created other relationships and growth opportunities since she was added to my life. Her insistence that I visit Bethany Missionary Baptist Church created a new church family for me. What's amazing about that is that Bethany is not the church she attends. That little girl took the time to ask me what I was looking for in a church fellowship and without hesitation suggested Bethany. She stayed on my case for an entire month before I actually visited Bethany. Kimmie wanted me to find the right fit for my next church home. She could have easily tried to recruit me to her own church's numbers. And though, I have visited there on different occasions, she didn't push me to join her there. She knew Bethany was the right place for me.
I could go on and on about her. I just have too many examples. Kimmie Sue's Light is inspiring... so inspiring I penned the following piece about it just before Christmas. My pockets were a little light since it was only a few weeks after my transition to San Antonio, but I wanted to show her some love. After reading it, she pulled what would become her standard routine. She cocked her head to the left, turned on that crazy grin and asked "Why me, Shug?" And I simply responded, "Because I said so."
Immediately after arriving here, I started the first job in the Lone Star State. The first day I spent completing the standard new hire paperwork, getting a mini-glimpse of the position expectations and being taken around the campus for staff introductions. On the second day, I was deposited into a classrooom. And that's where I met her... my new little sister... whom I affectionately call Kimmie Sue.
So after making my decision last week to begin celebrating my superheroes, it just became obvious that she would be the first honoree. And I know when she reads this, she is going to tilt her head to the left, smile that silly grin of hers and ask "Why me, Shug?" And I, in my usual sassy manner, will simply respond, "Because I said so." LOL
Now why has this lady made such an impression on me? It is hard to explain. I mean this little chick can't be more than 90 pounds soaking wet. However, this little petite woman who is shorter than me (and for those of you who know me...that's pretty short), sashayed over and greeted me with a firm handshake and the widest smile. And after ten minutes of sitting in that classroom and observing the cockiness of the instructor, we both turned and looked at each other. No words needed to be said it all. We knew the dude was trying to impress these two sisters. She simply smiled back at me. We have been partners in crime since that day.
Kimmie has been a godsend. She turns up before being asked. She is an easy ear because she simply gets me. She has had no problem accepting the multiple faces and spirits that make me who I am. In fact, she has embraced everything about me.
But what I love the most about her is her Light. She exemplies the "I got you" spirit. Because she is Light, my first "bedroom" here in San Antonio contained pieces from her home to help make the spot my own. She knew that I arrived out here with nothing more than clothes. Those pieces still rest in my bedroom in my current spot. I know I will never part with them.
Because Kimmie is Light, her entire family has adopted me since the moment I was introduced. I spent my first Christmas here with The Gs as a dinner guest. Since that day, I have no longer received invites, I have just been told when and where I need to arrive. She and her sister took me to my first and only Spurs game. (I hate to disappoint them, but I will always be a Heat fan.) Kimmie's little girl has followed in her mommy's footsteps by insisting that she call and check on me. And Kimmie's mom, Mama G, actually scolds me via text and on Facebook. Yesterday, as we left a local restaurant, a gentleman asked Mama G if I was her daughter. She simply responded, "She might as well be." And when Kimmie's dad, Mr. Ernest, transitioned home this past June, I was included in the family's preparations. I was told what colors to wear and where to be. I was honored and humbled.
Kimmie Sue's Light has created other relationships and growth opportunities since she was added to my life. Her insistence that I visit Bethany Missionary Baptist Church created a new church family for me. What's amazing about that is that Bethany is not the church she attends. That little girl took the time to ask me what I was looking for in a church fellowship and without hesitation suggested Bethany. She stayed on my case for an entire month before I actually visited Bethany. Kimmie wanted me to find the right fit for my next church home. She could have easily tried to recruit me to her own church's numbers. And though, I have visited there on different occasions, she didn't push me to join her there. She knew Bethany was the right place for me.
I could go on and on about her. I just have too many examples. Kimmie Sue's Light is inspiring... so inspiring I penned the following piece about it just before Christmas. My pockets were a little light since it was only a few weeks after my transition to San Antonio, but I wanted to show her some love. After reading it, she pulled what would become her standard routine. She cocked her head to the left, turned on that crazy grin and asked "Why me, Shug?" And I simply responded, "Because I said so."
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