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I’ve begged,pleaded, bartered, and threatened you to no avail
Your ideology regarding school caused you to fail.
Being handsome and witty gets you so far in school,
I’ve conveyed to you bluntly, who wants an Adonis looking fool?
It was, what it was.
It is, what it is.
Wasn’t looking for Doogie Howser,
Simply Tony,to handle your biz.
I reluctantly stood back.
I stood back and prayed.
When I thought your plight as a future black man,
My heart became weighed.
It was two weeks ago, when I entered your room.
You were laying on the bed, when you heard a big boom.
I literally fell to the ground, in shock and surprise.
You were reading your school book, before my eyes.
Excuse me?! Who are you and what have you done with my son?
You chuckled,blushed, and played along.
My mind quickly raced, not convinced something’s wrong.
You said,”ma chill out, I got something I’m workin’ on.”
When you turned and looked at me-I looked past you
There were your scribblings on paper, and you had a look of pride.
Thankful I allowed God to handle it,and let this thing ride.
Perplexed I asked, “I don’t get it, Tone what’s going on?
You replied, ma I’m getting older, I can’t keep playing this same song.
Wise beyond your 16 years, I felt such relief
I realized you finally “got it,” as I stared in disbelief.
You’ve encouraged me in life, now that I think back.
Remember when you told me, I was on the right train, but on the wrong track?
I’ve never laughed so hard when you, MY kid told me the truth.
And now you too are on the right track,learning early in youth.
See Tony, I can’t just want it, you have to want it for yourself.
You have one life to live, and you must excel.
I can lead you to water, but I can’t make you drink.
I can ask you challenging questions, but I can’t make you think.
You have to come into your own, and then you’ll understand.
That evolving, and maturity are the makings of a man.
I’m proud of you, Tony-keep up the good work!
-Mom
This piece and other uplifting works, may be viewed at:
Life used to be so easy…or at least it seemed that way.
The man that I “hoped” was he, is not.
I very much believe in woman’s intuition, so much so that I can’t ignore this nagging feeling that “something’s quite not right.”
He hasn’t disrespected me.
He’s been a gentleman to me, but yet…”something’s not right.”
Twice as our phone conversations abruptly ended, the feeling that “something’s just not right” quickly attached itself to me out of nowhere, like stray hair, and loose string to a velcro panel.
I don’t know what happened. I don’t know when it transpired, all I know is that it did.
Recently, as the days became the next, I’ve ruminated (that’s right…I ruminate!)…I’ve wandered why is it, that I come oh so close to entering a potential relationship, only to watch (to my chagrin) that very potential leave my life as quietly and unobtrusively as a butterfly, off to unknown parts?
I’ve classified myself as “Love Elusive.”
I believe (and I’m a realist) that I’ll always be two steps behind love. Maybe I’m like Apostle Paul…I’ll be single.
Don’t get me wrong, being single does has its advantages:
No compromising
Come and go as I please.
I can look at handsome men
I don’t have to cook, lol
No abuse-homicide concerns from partner
But yet, I still desire to be a part of a relationship.
I’m not sure what God’s will for my life is in that area. But I do know that He knows what’s best for me. I do know that I will never have to settle, again. And it’s ok. I may be “Love Elusive” or maybe I’ve eluded the love that was wrong for me.
Only time will tell.
Recently, someone close to me revealed his fight with Hypertension. In light of recent media reports regarding deadly Staph Infections and other maladies, it’s easy to forget about Hypertension. But we shouldn’t forget it, as it predominantly affects the black community in an adverse way.
Brian has had this “1000lb gorilla”(as he refers to Hypertension) riding his back, for over 10 years now.
Today, you or someone you know is fighting this same fight. I have at least 3 people in my family, and the youngest was diagnosed in her early 20’s.
Please take the time to scroll down and read Brian’s story below (look at the statistics!) and offer words of encouragement to him on his blog (click on title, “My Private Battle” to post comment). I’m sure he’d appreciate hearing from you!
Hello World!
Instead of writing about the “going on’s” of my life, I decided to touch on an illness that I suffer with that is known as the “silent killer”, High Blood Pressure.
I equate having High Blood Pressure with having a 1000 pound gorilla riding your back. For me it zaps me of energy, causes me tremendous headaches, and at times makes me physically ill. I was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure while I was running for State Representative in Tennessee back in 1996. Because of my physical build , I never thought I would be stricken with High Blood Pressure. I always assumed it was a condition “fat ” people suffered from.Because I was a high school and college athlete, I have always been in great condition. Yet I failed to take in account that because of a family history of High Blood Pressure, I was a prime candidate to fall prey to this sometimes crippling sickness.
When I was in law school in Birmingham, my condition of High Blood Pressure seem to worsen causing me to go to the hospital on several occasions. There were even times when I would collapse due to elevated pressure, only awakening in the emergency room.
I am on medications now that control my blood pressure, yet I have to be focused on making sure that I take the medicine properly.
This week , I ask all of the readers of the Files of Brian Clay,to monitor your blood pressure. For your family’s sake ….They Need you!…. I want you around! STAY HEALTHY!
Statistics
African Americans and people of African descent in the United Kingdom have among the highest rates of hypertension of any race or ethnic type in the world.1
- 35% of African Americans have hypertension, which accounts for 20% of the African American deaths in the United States – twice the percentage of deaths among whites from hypertension.1
- Compared with whites, hypertension develops earlier in life and average blood pressures are much higher in African Americans.2
- African Americans with high blood pressure have an 80% higher chance of dying from a stroke than in the general population.2
- African Americans with high blood pressure have a 20% higher chance of developing heart disease than in the general population.2
- African Americans with high blood pressure have a 4 times greater risk of developing hypertension related end stage kidney disease than the general population.2
Tomorrow, 11.26.07, is the last day of my algebra class. I’m thrilled to know it’s over, but a little down in light of the fact-i was unable to prove how smart grasp the concepts as well as I hoped. It was a 2-part class, and I escaped by the skin of my teeth passed with a C in the 1st class. I’ve never been so happy to receive a C (satisfactory) grade in my life! Had this class been a semester or two, I’m sure I would’ve thrived. However, at University of Phoenix we learned approx 3 chapters per week with 4 different rules per chapter, and the next week we moved onto 3 more chapters. I’m almost 40 yrs old, how am I supposed to know this crap? I’ve never had to use rise & runs, graphing and vortexes, complex fractions etc and I don’t think i’ll be using it the remainder of my life. And if someone is stupid enough to approach me with that crap a situation presented itself to me and I had to utilize the lessons that I was unable to master in that torture chamber class, that would be a life lesson to be failed.
Tomorrow cannot come fast enough. I wonder how my boo is doing? he’s under the weather and I’m unable to help him. Praying the pain away.
-bria
This is my first foray into wordpress, and I’m hopeful it works out so that I may import my primary blog on blogger. check it out at youbettarecognize.blogspot.com
I’ve only blogged for 2 mos and I’m sprun hooked! The reason for assuming a 2nd blog is I wanted to show the personal side of Bria. YBR is primarily a blog about what’s happening around us.
This blog will focus on me, my thoughts, hopes, nightmares etc.
Right now, I’m feeling ecstatic I’ve met a man who brings joy to my heart and I’m making the choice to embrace it! Totally uncharacteristic of me I know, but how will know the outcome if I don’t start with the 1st chapter??
I’m just taking it one step-at-a-time. I’m not a fool, mind you. Details, later 
I’ve put my toe in the water…and it’s not as cold as I thought. 
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