You Owe Me An Apology!
I was born and raised in the most “human” city in America. I’m a Baltimore girl through and through. My cell phone number still starts with, “410”. I was the first-born grandchild, showered with love but weighted with responsibility. I was what the church folks called an “old soul”. Immaturity wasn’t a luxury afforded to me. I was a young black girl maneuvering the neighborhood’s of Sandtown-Winchester, 72- square blocks of layered history. In the ’80s, my grandfather would love to boast of Baltimore’s most notable figures. I sang to Billie Holiday. I wanted to be as intelligent as...
Read More8 Reasons This Mother Hasn’t Called You
A friend of mine called me on Monday, left me a vague voicemail message, and I did not return her call until Wednesday. When I called, she proceeded to make me feel guilty for not responding as quickly as she expected. She used those sarcastic phrases I have become all too familiar with like, “Well, I know how important you are…” or “Thank you for finding the time to fit me in…” Since having children, there have been a few times the awful thoughts below have run through my mind. Do I always feel this way?…”Absolutely Not!” Will some of my...
Read MoreRevealed: 10 Things That Happen Post Baby
Once you have children, your world changes. At least mine did. And, when I speak to women, I find that no matter our color or background, we tend to share similar experiences. I engaged in a little girl talk on Mommy’s Open Diary facebook page and discovered the Top 10 Things that Happen After Having Children. Feel free to add to the list! 10. FAMILY Your extended family will get tired of babysitting. I’m not saying they won’t babysit, but prepare yourself for a few reluctant yes’ and your call going straight to voice mail. Girl Talk: If you have no other choice,...
Read MorePerception vs. Reality
Most people would consider me to be a fairly self-sufficient woman. I take pride in going in alone and handling my business. And, therein lies the problem. I’ve allowed my “perception of strength” to fool me into believing that asking for help is a weakness. I heard a quote once that knocked me on my behind, “If you are too proud to admit you are hurting…don’t be surprised if no one seems to care”. The week following my twins birth was the hardest time of my life. See, I’m not a fan of hospitals, which makes me a horrible patient. I had an...
Read MoreFeeling Some Kinda Way
Childbirth is ironic, isn’t it? A mother carries life for 9-months, the effects on her body are astounding, the pain of delivery is excruciating. Yet, when a mother loses her child, the pain felt during birth is eclipsed by the unfathomable pain of her child’s life being taken away. February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin was killed. He was a 17-year-old African-American boy who was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida. My first born son had just turned 6-months old. July 17, 2014, Eric Garner died in New York City, after a police officer put him in a choke hold...
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