Woke up this morning in my right mind and healthy...thank you God for all you've done for me!

My habit is to tune into the news and see what's happening around the local area.  But this morning the media cannot get enough of Whitney Houston.  She is every where and rightly so.  However, my thoughts went to her mother's pain and what she must be trying to get through, how she must be hurting from the loss of her daughter.  I instantly thought of my own daughter.  I would die a slow death if anything were to happen to her.  The order of death is wrong.  We expect to die before our children, but sometimes God has another plan. 

To my daughter, you were the most "wanted" baby ever and I love you beyond words.  I am proud of you and all your accomplishments in your short life.  You have not always done what Daddy and Grandma thought you should, but you've done alright by me.  Don't struggle with that, live your own life.  I am having the benefit of seeing you come closer to God in these last years and that makes my heart over flow.  Please know and continue to lean on God.  He is your answer to all that you struggle or come up against.  No drug, alcohol substance will answer anything that you ever have to face in life.  I don't mean to be so emotional, but with the up coming changes in our personal lives, you need to hear this.  A mother's love runs deep and sometimes the very people we love the most never gets to know that.  I am sure that there are so many things that Whitney and her mother never said over the years, and now it's too late.

I sometimes do what I call my "appreciation shout out" to people who do the smallest things to make the biggest difference in my life, and Peja Wiltshire, come on down this morning...you are my  person of the day!!! 

Marian Anderson - Black History Feature

                                        Marian Anderson (1887-1993)

Autobiography:  “My Lord, What a Morning”

  Every year as in the past, National Black History month approaches.  As we begin to celebrate this month in the remembrances of so many and the progress of the Civil Rights movement, it brings back many memories and so many inner feelings on my part.  Last year I believe I talked about my personal experiences with the KKK and seeing an actual cross burning.  Sometimes stories are better relayed when they are personal and in particular from someone that you actually know. 

  This year however, I wanted to talk about Marian Anderson, one of the first autobiographies I read as a young person.  I thought the book would be just the most boring thing I’d ever tried to read, given the many facts and statistics that come out of an autobiography, but much to my surprise this woman reminded me of myself and her love to sing.  I will never be a Marian Anderson, not from lack of trying however, but she was just one of those very special and very gifted people in her day and time that I will never forget reading about.

  Marian Anderson was born on February 27, 1897 in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (some 108 years ago). Beginning at the age of six, she sang in the Union Baptist Church Choir. Her voice was classified as contralto; she could sing the high soprano notes and the low baritone notes. There were many descriptions of her voice…”The Negroid sound.”…”Earthy darkness at the bottom, clarinet-like purity in the middle, and piercing vibrancy at the top”…”mysterious”…someone commented that ”It was as though the room had begun to vibrate, as though the sound came from under the earth and swelled to majestic power”…”it made chills dance up my spine and was shaken to my very shoes”.

  Marian's father, John Anderson, died of a brain tumor when she was 12 years old.  To help the family survive, she scrubbed porch stoops for 5 cents apiece, while her mother, Anna Anderson a former schoolteacher, worked as a cleaning woman and took in laundry to support the family. Her mother's religious faith and strength were lasting influences throughout Marian's life.

    Beginning with the very first $5 she earned singing, Marian did, in fact, give much of her earnings to her family. One of her most important and proud memories is that of finally calling her mother's employer and informing her that Annie Anderson would not be returning to work. Annie influenced Marian's career more directly as well. After Marian's New York City debut was poorly attended and received, she withdrew from music in a period of depression and self-doubt. Marian gives special credit for her recovery to her mother's comfort and support.

   The Union Baptist Church in Philadelphia, to which her father had belonged, gave Marian her start as a singer in the choir at age six, and continued to support her throughout her early career. When Marian could not afford lessons with a professional voice teacher, the church gave a concert to raise the money for her lessons, the flyers had a picture of her and read, “Come and hear the baby contralto”.  Her early career as a soloist grew from her performances at the invitation of other churches and church groups who had heard her sing at her church in Philadelphia.

As an artist, Marian never ceased to study and strive for improvement. After observing a black woman playing piano, the child Marian was inspired to teach herself to play enough to accompany herself. Though she never received formal musical training, due mainly to obstacles of financial and racial nature, Marian continued to pursue her own musical education. Vocal and language training, along with racism in the United States were the reasons for her first trips to Europe.   Marian was encouraged by her family and admirers to attend a music high school in Philadelphia, but she was refused because of her race, she was told, “We don’t take Colored.”  Marian remarked, “It was as if a cold, horrifying hand had been laid on me.  True enough, my skin was different, but not my feelings.”   On her frequent tours of the United States, Marian experienced racial prejudice on a daily basis; she was often denied access to lodging or dining facilities.  


  On board the Ile de France a passenger got angry when Anderson was invited to sit at the captain’s table.  The ship’s officer apologized for the woman’s rudeness, and Anderson responded as she often did to such slights:  “That’s all right.  She didn’t know any better.”  Marian had learned forgiveness and the art of gentle persuasion from her mother, who taught her children that revenge, was corrosive and bitterness a waste of time. 


  During her career (1935-1965) she toured the world, performed in 600 U.S. cities to over 6,000,000 listeners in 1500 auditoriums.  She also had a successful recording career with R.C.A. Victor records, although she never really enjoyed the recording process, she hated singing into a microphone, and preferred the reaction of a live audience.


  Anderson’s quiet dignity and musical talent not only spoke for her, but spurred thousands of Americans to speak out against racial injustice. When the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused to allow Marian as a black woman to sing in Constitution Hall in Washington D.C., Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the organization in protest. Later, at the invitation of the Secretary of the Interior, Marian sang at the Lincoln Memorial for Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, for an audience of 75,000. She opened the concert by singing “America” and then proceeded to sing an Italian aria, Schubert’s Ave Maria, three Negro spirituals, “Gospel Train,” “Trampin” and “My Soul Is Anchored in the Lord”.  She also sang “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.”  This was one of the most famous concerts given in the United States.  This event helped open the doors of opportunity for other African Americans.  From this time on, Anderson refused to sing at any place that was segregated.  In 1943, a mural was unveiled on the wall of the Department of the Interior building depicting the concert.


  Marian herself, who was disturbed and saddened by racial inequalities in her country, did not see a role for herself as an active, aggressive opponent of racism. Anderson’s belief that her voice was a gift from God to be shared with all people sustained her through difficult times.  God gave her the talent and would care for it, she reasoned.  As long as she kept her eye on the prize – musical excellence – and adhered to the highest standards, the results would be right.  Although Anderson’s aim was to be a singer, not a symbol, she ultimately accepted her role as a pioneer who persuaded by example.  “My mission,” she said, “is to leave behind me the kind of impression that will make it easier for those who follow.  Other Negroes will have the career I dreamed of.” 


  By the time Anderson soloed at the New York Metropolitan Opera House, she was 57 years old and well past her prime.  But she paved the way for black soprano Leontyne Price, who enjoyed a 25-year career at the Met.  Price once wrote affectionately:  “Dear Marian Anderson:  Because of you, I am.”  Anderson preferred to educate and enlighten her listeners through the example of her own life and actions. She became a great advocate and role model for African-American musicians. She never seemed to give up hope for the future of both her people and her country.


  Marian once said “prejudice was sometimes like a hair across your cheek.  You can’t see it, you can’t find it with your fingers, but you keep brushing at it because the feel of it is irritating.”


  In 1993 Marian Anderson died, in the same country in which she had been born; yet it was very different.  No longer were African-Americans turned away from hotels, restaurants, public transportation, or concert halls.  With quiet grace, great dignity, and constant faith, she had helped to create these changes in the country that she loved, doing what she loved best.   


  There were numerous awards and titles bestowed upon Marian Anderson during her lifetime, all too many to mention at this time, but one of the most recent is that now there is a U.S. Postage stamp in her honor, some 108 years later.


  In closing, we should all strive to be “Marian’s” in whatever our personal goals are, we should leave our mark and leave the world a better place for having been here and for those who follow us.

Happy New Year -- 2012!!

Happy New Year!

Today is the beginning of the year 2012.  It seems that each year comes and goes so fast that it makes your head spin.  Time is an amazing invisible thing.  We cannot see it in the 'physical' but when you look back over the many months from January to December, we are able to see it in the time line that it leaves.  Every year people promise themselves new resolutions, I'm not gonna do this, I'm gonna do that, etc.  I am learning that there's no need to make all these resolutions.  The only resolution you need to make is to keep your hand in God's hand and let him lead the way.  Time/life is His plan, and it's been laid out since the beginning of His creation of the world.  The things that you will accomplish from day to day is simply His plan, learn to listen and make the best of what He's laid out for you.

Death...the beginning



Dear Readers!

It is nearing the anniversary date of Lindsay's death.  For those who don't know, Lindsay was my husband of 22 years when he passed away.  We were separated for 12 of those years and divorced for 6 months.  He had recently remarried (6 weeks) and life was as per the norm.  We had become friends over our many separated years and kept in touch regularly about many things, one of which was our daughter.  We knew that he was terminally ill, but was completely blindsided when he passed away several months before we thought.  The cause of his death was liver cancer.

Today I attended a funeral of the sister of one of our church members.  I did not know her and have not known the church member very long as she is new in our church.  However, as Lindsay once said, you can attend a Baptist church funeral not knowing anything about the deceased and leave knowing them completely.  Today was pretty much like that for me...I learned that the woman was the parent of one child, only sister to the member, had two really close friends, left parents and many relatives and loved ones behind.  She was considered a real trooper through out her illness, a fighter and a person who had placed all her faith in God and his ability to bring her through this illness.  She too scummed to cancer.

I spent a great deal of my day at church helping set up for the repass, sing in the volunteer choir, serve at the repass and help with the clean up.  When I got home, I was completely exhausted and ate dinner and laid down to relax.  I then thought to post a blog and opened the computer to do so, finding yet an article about an retired NFL linebacker who lost his wife today after being married for one month.  She scummed to cancer.  He wrote such glowing words about her and the strength she displayed.

He said:  "Not just an inspiration, but a light, and a force that led the way with a beautiful, sweet smile and bright shining eyes that both belied the pure steel of her strength and determination.  Strong is too pale, too shallow and too small of a word to describe her vibrancy… Quite simply, she was ferocious. She fiercely held onto life, and love with a forcefulness that was absolutely awe-inspiring and completely breathtaking."

These were some of the characteristics that Lindsay displayed during his illness; the same was said of the woman today.  It all got me to thinking about life and how unpredictable it can really be.  In many ways it made me look at death today as not a end, but a beginning.  It is such a mystery to the world and something that people don't want to talk about.  Oh yes, we all know that we are gonna experience it at sometime or other, never really wanting to know the "when".   As a believer, I believe that it is the beginning. Our faith in God gives us the strength to not be afraid and to embrace it when our time comes.  We know that our spirits will be taken while our earthly bodies will perish.  We know that it is the spirit that will live forever.  What a nice thought...forever!  Forever in God's terms is a very long time, and to think that we will have the joy and peace promised forever is a wonderful thing. 

We also know that we will continue to "live" through our loved ones.  I can't tell you how alive Lindsay has become in my memories, thoughts and sometimes speech.  I am amazed that the reality of the loved we shared shines through even after four years.  Although grandma has been gone for more than 30 years, I still speak about her all the time, keeping her alive, even through this blog, which is dedicated to her.  So I say live life to the fullest and create all the positive things you can while you are passing this way; you too will be kept alive!!

Miss Janie's Pew in Church

Hi Readers!

Sometimes my mind is so busy with so many thoughts. Some of them are day to day stuff, some are spiritual stuff. I will dedicate this page to those things..the spiritual stuff. You all know that I wear many different hats when it comes to things that I like to talk and write about, but I don't want the other stuff mixed up in the spiritual stuff...thus this page.

During this CHRISTmas time it has come to my attention that many, like myself, are struggling with some gladness, but some sadness as well about one thing or other. Mostly I guess about people who are not in our lives anymore and what to do with that space that they once occupied. We wish a thousand times that they could be with us once again for one more CHRISTmas or one more birthday, or one more dance, or one more something. I am beginning to learn that these people are not with us because it is God's plan for each of us that has removed them. He is the beginning and the end, and the same in our personal lives. He makes the beginnings and He makes the ends. When we can come to understand that and when our personal walk gets to a point that we know we are gonna live with Him in our "end", we get alright with loosing people who are close to us. For we know and understand that we are gonna see them again, not necessarily when, but we will, if we are true believers.

I have been talking to people who have lost loved ones during the holidays and are missing them greatly. One person just can't seem to get out of the slump even though it's been years. I will continue to encourage them as best I can. One just about dies when the date comes around, for months they mope around and have crying times. It is really very understandable for me too. I have my moments but above all that I try to cry and move on. I ask God to remove the sadness that I am feeling at the time and help me move forward without that person. It is not easy, by no stretch of the imagination, but it is possible to move forward.

We serve a living God; LIVING GOD! And when we understand that we too are left in the land of the 'living' we will be better for it. We say we believe in God, He is all powerful, all knowing, ALL, ALL, ALL? Well I say to you folks that are grieving for someone(s), let it go, get with the 'living' and the living God! You are left on this earth for a reason, look for it and live it, I promise things will get better. "What He's done for others (me), He'll do for you"!

(Photographs by Just Snapshots)

Merry CHRISTmas!



Merry CHRISTmas!

 When I woke this morning I didn't know that I would end the day here on my blog page.  At any rate, I was prompted to do today's blog by a post on two friends FB pages.  The first was a good friend who was announcing that he would no longer be political and say "happy holidays" instead of Merry CHRISTmas.  Because he is in the public eye it is frowned upon, he is standing his ground from now on and "will not be moved".  As I was posting on his page about how proud of his decision I was, unknowingly another friend was sending me a prayer for the day.  He often does this but today it moved me beyond words, actually to tears.  His prayers are so beautiful and always so "on time", as if he knows that I really need the message at that time.  I share them on FB because I feel there are many people who could use the prayers too.

It made me have a real moment of reflection.  Usually I send out a CHRISTmas/New Year's message instead of CHRISTmas cards, so I thought now is the time.  We all have reflections of some kind about this time of year.  For me I have many, some happy and some exceedingly sad.  Recently I've gone from being gainfully employed to being gainfully retired in just three weeks.  I have not established a schedule of any kind and needless to say my thoughts are all over the place this year.

One thing that is not all over the place is my faith in God and in His power to keep everything in order.  The day I was placed into 'retirement' I went to choir rehearsal that night and we rehearsed a song that says 'they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, shall renew their strength'.  As we sang the song the Spirit came upon us and the moment shifted from rehearsal to praise and worship.  The Spirit went from person to person like fire.  I left rehearsal feeling so uplifted "Just Like Sunday Mornin" (title of CD by Rev Stef & Jubilation, recently released). 

On the following Sunday my Pastor's text title was "Interruptions".  He spoke about how God allows things to happen to us in order for us to move to the next level of our lives; it is part of His plan.  If He brought us to the moment He would bring us through it.  Yet another sign that things would be okay.  Each Sunday since then Pastor Miller's sermon has been along the same lines, "Life out of Control", I Shall Not Be Moved".  Maybe there is a connection and maybe I just want it to be a connection, however, I'm gonna trust and believe.

As you all know, I can talk a while and I think I can write down my thoughts in some orderly fashion and relay them in some intelligent way as well.  Many times I feel the need to do just that and lately it is to give honor to God or relay some message from the pulpit or just something inspirational.  I don't know why He has chosen me to do this, but for whatever reason I am going to obey. 

There are so many people in need of an inspirational word or encouragement that I just feel like sharing is what I am suppose to do.  I hope that you will come to this site and read my blogs whenever possible.  Please feel free to tell others about it as well.

I want to now take the time to say Merry CHRISTmas to all of you in the old fashion and only way that I know.  We must all remember that Jesus is the reason for the season and we should not take the path of others who choose to take the Christ out of CHRISTmas.  Happy New Year is next on the blog page.

Merry CHRISTmas

and

Happy Birthday to Jesus!!

(Photo by Just Snapshots)



Sunday, December 4, 2011

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Today has been a long and wonderful day. Rev Miller was on point with his sermon today. Have you ever sat and listened and thought "he's preaching right to me, every word fits my situation perfectly?" Today was confirmation of all of last weeks turn of events. Rev. Miller was preaching right to me! On last Thursday, I found myself, shall I say "unemployed" or "voluntarily retired". Which ever, I say I am retired! Thursday night choir rehearsal turned into a true worship service from song lyrics "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, wait, wait on the Lord", what a blessing. Today's sermon was entitled "Interruption" (Palms 33:10) particularly in our lives. God allows these interruptions for a reason and all we need do is wait and see how it all plays out. This little "retirement" interruption was surely planned by the Lord and I'm gonna wait on Him to see where he takes me now. By the way, I asked for all this sometime back last month! He is truly working it out for me and I'm here to give Him complete Praise and "I'm gonna wait! Wait on the Lord! What are you gonna do?