Month: May 2022

I didn’t have many opportunities to see plays as a kid. I really can’t say that I would have enjoyed (or had an appreciate for) them then. It took me about 30 years, but I got my first one with Wicked. I only made it to intermission (LONG STORY), but I knew this was an art that I had to expose my kids to. Tonight, through a post-school field trip, I got the chance. Thing 1 got her very first Playbill!

While some of the content was above her head (#AsItShouldBe) she had a great first experience, and so did I. Because while I had been to a play before, this was our first time. There is so much joy in being able to enjoy the firsts. As the kiddos get older, those firsts are not as frequent. BUT, I will make it my business to be present for as many as I can.

Until the next first…

IT’S OVER!!!!!!

A lot has happened this school year. And just when I didn’t think it could get any worse, it did. It may not have happened in my city…or my state for that matter…but it happened.

Having a child(ren) in school comes with its own share of unknowns. You start off the year with a new teacher. You pray your child likes the teacher, and you pray even harder that YOU like the teacher. Then, you worry about your child making friends, learning all the things, and keeping away from the petri dish of germs they are surrounded by daily. There is a laundry list of more stuff to worry about. The biggest worry, was just made a reality for the Uvalde community. I’d like to pause, just to create a moment of silence for all of those impacted by this terrible tragedy…

…

…

…

I ain’t gone lie, I thought about pulling my kids from school for the few days left in the school year. I didn’t want them to miss out on the fun activities, but I also didn’t want to risk sending my two hearts out there into this world after such an event. I let them finish, clearly. But it took all I had!

Today, I set out to celebrate the journey. It was that much more special to get to this day, and it warranted alllllllll the things…balloons, window chalk, streamers, disco lights, and loud music! We were more excited than the kids…

While Things 1 and 2 were not super thrilled by all of the fanfare, I hope they look back on this day and smile…despite the fact that Thing 1 vowed to walk home in the rain because of the loud music, and Thing 2 could not enjoy the streamers and music because she was too busy crying. #BetterLuckNextYear

Another chapter closed…

The pandemic has caused a lot of celebrations to be put on hold or cancelled. I had no expectation that anything Thing 1 got to do in her 3rd grade year would happen for Thing 2. It was sad to think about, but par for the course considering where we are.

Way back when, Thing 1 had a Hollywood Party at the end of 3rd grade. The red carpet was rolled out, the kids received individual awards, and all of the parents were the paparazzi. The kids sent in baby pictures, and all of the students had to guess who was who. Sidebar…I despise this game! As a person who went to a private school where no one looked like me, this isn’t really fair…like…AT ALL. My kids, while in public school, are in the same position. #OneDay I digress. Back to the memory…I remember the teacher being so emotional because she truly loved each of her students and was sad to see them go.

By God’s grace, Thing 2 was able to have her turn. And no scaling back…she got the real deal too! She wasn’t thrilled to hear us cheering her on as they did their walk around the school, but oh well. Welcome to the part of your life where we are merely embarrassments as we strive to let you know just how loved you are on every occasion…especially the public ones!

Here are a few memories of the day… #SniffSniff

You will always be our star, kid! #ShineBright

I have had A LOT going on! But if you’ve read any of my previous posts, especially the ones from last year, I am sure you have pieced that together. On top of all of that, I have been getting headaches (migraine territory), had to have a nail biopsy, and there is a spot on my mammy that requires some watching.

I know He will not give me more than I can handle, but when you are in the storm, you cannot see past the thunder. Needless to say, these last couple of weeks, I have leaned more on my sisters, prayer warriors, and Joyce Meyer. Your girl has been SICK!

For the spot on my mammy, they will look at that again in July. The migraine, they will look at that this Saturday. The nail biopsy, though…well that took place last Wednesday. When I tell you owww, I mean OWWWWWWW! The doctor said I could return to working out in a couple days, but the devil is a lie! I was in pain for several days, and had the nerve to bump my toe a few times on day 4. #SweetBabyJesus

Now, let me fill you in on the nail issue…

I had a nail that started to turn dark some years ago. When it was pretty dark, I asked my PCP about it. She said it was fungus, told me what to use on it, and that was that. Fast forward to December, 2021. The dermatologist did a full body exam and stopped at the nail…pinky toe to be exact. She broke out all kinds of magnifiers. I felt disrespected. I mean, I know I didn’t stick to the anti-fungal treatment and all, but you ain’t gotta look at it like it belongs in a museum!

She asked to take a clipping to confirm fungus. I obliged, still rather disrespected. 4 weeks later, the results were in…NOT FUNGUS. I got the call, and the nurse said the doc will want to biopsy it. She said she may take some or all of the nail. Again…the devil is a lie! I scheduled the biopsy in February, but then on the day of cancelled it. I needed a second opinion.

Two months later, I got my second opinion. I saw the dermatologist my mom sees and he is AMAZING! It is super important to have a dermatologist who has an awareness for the differences in brown skin. I explained the situation and here this man go…just like the last lady…busting out the magnifiers! He took so much time on the pinky toe and then worked his magnifier on to all of my toes. He dictated his notes out loud and one of them caught my ear, “Hutchinson’s sign.” After he completed my thorough toe inspection, the look on his face said it all. He told me he felt the same…get it checked…STAT! He said they don’t do the biopsy there, but if I could not get it done soon, he would send me to his partner. I was sick. See, what I learned, he suspected melanoma and my pinky toe and her little friends were showing signs…”Hutchinson’s signs.”

Back to last Wednesday…they took the entire nail and the pain was cuss-worthy!

Since last Wednesday, I have been in quiet agony. I have a job to do, in addition to my roles as wife, mother, daughter, and sister. I found it hard to focus on any of those things, but I was struggling through. Until today, at 455p.

The Doctor called. OH SUGAR! She asked the infamous question, “Do you have a minute?” Now, Listen Linda! I’ve been waiting on these results, sick as a dog…I got all the minutes you need! She explained that the results were benign! Wait a minute, I don’t think you heard me…BENIGN! It was like Charlie Brown after that (wah wah wah wah wah…)! I did hear her say that it was lentigo, or skin pigmentation. It isn’t something I need to worry about, but for the pinky toe siblings, I just need to keep an eye on them. They will still want to watch, but are reassured with the pinky toe’s findings.

All I could hear in my head after talking to the doctor were the lyrics to He’s Able by Deitrick Haddon:

God is able to do just what He said He would do
He’s gonna fulfill every promise to you
Don’t give up on God, cause He won’t give up on you
He’s able
He’s able

So, I will rejoice in this victory! Tomorrow can bring it! Because if there is ANYTHING I learned from all of the stress and worry of this situation, it’s that there will be another situation. I am going to do my best to listen to His instructions and not worry, but instead, cast those burdens onto Him. That has always been so hard for me to do. BUT, with what feels like a new lease on life, I must…

‘Cuz He’s not done with me yet!

Let the church say, Amen! #AMEN