Good Evening, Everyone:

May all of you have a safe and peaceful Memorial Day!

I received an interesting message this week from someone I vaguely know that was “family” related.  This person indicated that when she interacts with people, in general, “family is all she sees”.  This observation absolutely “rocked me to the core” because sometimes we’re so busy that we forget to let our “most cherished” friends and family know just how important they are to us.

I have been blessed with some lasting friendships that I would not trade for a million dollars.  We have been through “thick and thin” and evolved gracefully together as mature, well adjusted adults.  In fact, I enjoy the company of these individuals much more than that of my siblings and the feeling is mutual.  As they say in the hood, “these are my dogs”.  We have each other’s best interest at heart and have learned “to agree to disagree”.  We laugh, cry and pray together constantly.  Thanks to the Internet and cell phone texting, showing our love and keeping in touch is only “a click away”.

In addition to my “living posse”, from time to time, I stop to think about all those special people who are no longer in “the land of the living” such as my mother.  The older I get, the more I appreciate her influence upon my life.  If you have parents you really love, please make it a point to spend more “quality time” with them because time flies and you may never get the chance.  As they age, they need to see you more than they are willing to admit.  Don’t wait until they become too sick to recognize you.

This inspiring messenger also reminded me to touch base with several aunts and uncles.  You will be surprised how much you take people for granted when you live within close proximity of each other.  They are getting older and can be set in their ways but they are still very pleasant people to be around.  I also have some older cousins who are just like “big sisters” who know how to make me laugh while imparting some worthwhile “words of wisdom” or “mother wit” as it is called.  Not everybody can say this about their older relatives.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that they won’t always be here and I should make a greater effort to stay in touch.  It would be a substantial loss, if I did not.

As I have been reminded, I’m reminding you to reach out and touch your loved ones who mean so much to you.  It’s easy to do and much easier to forget.  Make the effort; it will make your day as it has made mine.

Peace Be With All of You,

Sistah Selah