It's a New Dawn, it's a New Day, it's a New Life ...

Once again, I’m facing the dawn of a new year with thoughts of the old one and ideas of how to do better in the new.  I’m thinking about those I lived through another year without – how I miss their voices, conversations, celebrations of all things Me and Mine for 2010.  I’m thinking about those who passed on this year and how to heal as time goes on.  I’m thinking of the tragedies around the world and the sorrow and loss felt by people I’ve never met.  But most of all, I’m grateful – just to be on this precipice yet again. It’s a blessing and an honor.

I’ve had a good year overall.  I was in poor health in the beginning; I’m much better now.  I was terminated from a job; a career is now on the horizon.  I was loved and loved in return.  I’ve celebrated and traveled and savored.  My family circle has not been broken and my true friends are still by my side. Of course, I have complaints and could complain, but why.  My life is far from perfect, but I still have it.

I’ve done plenty of things wrong.  I’ve thought about others when I should have come first.  I’ve thought about myself when others should have come first.  I’ve given advice that I should have taken and taken some that I should have left alone.  I’ve made decisions that weren’t sound and taken chances – some for the better.  I’ve learned to listen more and gripe less; to be judgmental and opinionated.  Wait, I may have already had that down.  Scratch that.  I’ve learned that things don’t always go my way, and I’ll be ok if they don’t.  I have a life to make the best of and I plan to do that.

I look forward to offering myself to God, to family, to friends, to my community and to my country and finding my true purpose.  I know that I will shed old weight, figuratively and literally, as I soar to new heights and that it will be painful at first.  I know that everyone and everything can’t go where I go and do what I do.  With promise and anticipation, I look forward to becoming a better ME in 2011.

2011~Live ON Purpose~2011

Honoring the Value of Freedom

On a cold December morning, I double check my layers -  Long johns, thick socks, hat – then I check the essentials – phone, iPod, ID.  I haven’t been this bundled since Obama’s Inauguration.  But today’s cause is a bit more somber.  I’m heading to Arlington Cemetery to lay wreaths on the graves. It’s a volunteer project that is not widely publicized (wreathsacrossamerica.org).  Even though I rarely volunteer for outdoor projects in the winter, I feel compelled to make the best of it.

So I join thousands of other volunteers on METRO, funneling ourselves towards the exit gates at the Arlington Cemetery stop.  We walk into the cemetery in droves – men, women, children – some in wheelchairs, strollers and carry pouches.  I am in awe as I watch the crowd gather around one of many trucks that have been packed with wreaths.  There is warmth in numbers as we chatter about the weather, our duty to our fallen soldiers and where we may venture to plant the wreaths we receive.

I get a bit teary-eyed as I look around, seeing very few black faces in the sea of gravestones and people.  It’s disturbing to think that we have been just as affected by the war as everyone else, regardless of our politics on the issues.  Our families have been torn apart as well.  But I guess until P. Diddy, Tom Joyner, Michael Baisden or Al Sharpton becomes a spokesperson…well, I’ll leave that alone.  But I do find it odd that we have organizations, clubs, churches and community projects that we are involved in but we don’t show ourselves for matters of country – unless there will be press.  When will we teach our children the value of their freedom?

I receive my wreaths and begin my trek, thinking of the past wars and conflicts where we’ve lost fighters – spouses, brothers, mothers, aunts, cousins, sisters, fathers – and find my face wet with tears.  It’s not easy to control emotions in a military cemetery.  For that reason, I steer clear of Section 60, the area where many from Iraq and Afghanistan rest and where some ceremonies are being conducted, some families spending their first holiday without their loved one.  Instead I find an area that many have not yet visited and read some of the stones until I feel a twinge in my heart for a name or two. Maybe they remind me of people I know who served in our armed forces, maybe the engraved dates hold some importance or maybe the cold is getting to me.  I say a quick prayer for the families left to mourn, position my wreath as beautifully as possible and move on. 

Looking up, I can’t help but stand in awe at the beauty of the graves adorned with wreaths around me.  Hard to think of a cemetery as beautiful but I’m grateful to have the opportunity to think of it in that way.  Ultimately, I am honored to use my time to thank a veteran.  And next year, I’ll brave the cold to do it again.  Maybe I’ll send info to Essence and BET or just post it on my FaceBook page.  Either way, I hope to see you there.