
Empty Nest
Your mom called your name at home
Expecting you to reply
Forgetting that which came from her womb was away
I almost asked her when you were coming home
I caught myself daydreaming
A mirage of your essence lingers
Your mom called your name at home
Expecting you to reply
Forgetting that which came from her womb was away
I almost asked her when you were coming home
I caught myself daydreaming
A mirage of your essence lingers
What profits a person from gaining the world and losing their spouse? Ok, that’s not the scripture.
I was in Dallas last week, facilitating a cybersecurity leadership panel. I asked the panelist about the challenges of providing for their families and balancing the demands of work-related obligations. One told the story of a retirement party he attended for an executive with over 30+ years in business. “What’s next for you now that you’re retiring? asked a panelist.” He responded, “I’ll have to see if my wife still loves me.” He noted a seriousness in his voice.
People who know me know I run hard. I had to learn to run hard for my family (and I’m still learning). Life after 50, college tuition coming, shaky savings, bad investments, economic turndowns, you name it, the saints have experienced it. While running hard, forgetting our family and relationship with JAH (God) is easy. I have to remind myself that He is the Provider. I then battle with Adam’s punishment, being condemned to work by the sweat of his brow. I wrestle with being worse than an infidel for not caring for my family. All those “I’s” must be replaced daily with “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” That leads to the role of the Lord as Shepherd and how He cares for us.
I recall some of the most powerful words from my daughter when I was called upon to do something that would take me away from my family. “Just call Tony Briscoe because he’ll say yes no matter what his family needs.” Talk about a blow to my heart. I was present for others but not for the one who needed me the most. So, pray for me because it’s time to check-in, and I have to ask what I can do better as a father. What about being a better husband? Hey, one step at a time, ok? 🙂
Life won’t stop happening. The panelist vowed on the day of his interaction with the retiree, “I will never let my wife or children suffer by me not being present.” May we also be direct, working wife and/or working husband, working wife and husband, vowing never to forget our families. We must lean on the Lord, from whom all blessings flow, to help put the right people in our lives to help us with our financial planning, child-rearing (it still takes a village), professional and personal development, and our Christian walk.
Her mom misses her A child is gone too soon Today she’s 27, smiling, excited Her mom, crying with joy …
I believe the right thing should be done. I also understand that in the economic downturn that is about to put the average American on their knees, that I am highly blessed. For any complaint I have had over my 26 years corporate (at 51, I’ve only had four jobs in my life in adulthood), after coming from Ghana I went back to work with a renewed vigor. Being their was humbling and because I’m still processing that trip, that’s all I am comfortable to share at the moment.
Now crimson ❄️ is this season
Black man, wake up bro I get it. You worked hard. You did you. Became the beast Worked your way …
Praying for you, bro I don’t know your pain I don’t know your passion The profound loss of a mother …
Ghana is my first identity trip of Africa. I look forward to being intimate with Africa. I can’t wait to feel, touch, taste, smell, see, hear, and experience my first voyage home.
Walking, briskly, thinking; tires screeching, window down, shots fired Chest burning, falling, hands, clutching, near heart, life, lights, flashing, brea…thing… …
What’s up people? Well, I have been in school and hosting a Monday Night show on Facebook called Message Monday where two Christian brothers come together and talk about faith, life, fatherhood, marriage, and politics. What’s major in my world? My second album, My Ode to Hip Hop has been released. There’s seven tracks, two of which had been released as singles previously. Enjoy a synopsis of the album
People ask why at 51 I am rapping. It’s what I do along with spoken word. Nope, not famous, not rocking any shows but it’s a gift that I used to engage young people at church, at work, and on the poetry scene. I’ll always right and create. I’ll never stop. I hope you take this journey with me and explore my craft that is all positive, N word, non-women bashing, no profanity, project. Artistry is always the goal and I’m a hip hop head for life, this is my contribution to the genre, to the people, and #fortheculture.
One 24 hour trip Covid Snuck in Through Mask Penetrated lungs Isolation At home, with family a part from family …
Unfortunately there were no consequences for the young racist who sent the message. Typical slap on the wrist justice for such actions. He’ll carry this on to his children, his nieces, his nephews and the cycle will continue. Why? Because in all our humanity some people has lost the concept of what it means to love thy neighbor.
I have spoken with several of you who have reached for the same heights in your career. Years of dedicated service, outstanding reviews, and leading with heart, integrity, diligence, and human skills, along with other building blocks of performance leadership were essential to this moment.
My country, where tears flow
Where guns grow with liberty
Of the I sing
Land that your fathers stole
Land that’s not your you hold
Tonight I went to see my family It was not easy, we haven’t spoken in 2 years The hurt, the …
My present stress traumatic disorder knocks at the door
I answer, all I see are silhouettes of young people
I didn’t meet them in this life, but the visit mean in the spirit
And I fear again, chasing the dollar and career
That I have failed to be human
We will hold each other tightly
After spring break
Because we hope to never become
Memories
At such a youth age
They took the court proudly As they always have Never assuming arrogance Ready to give it all Game by game …
I’m surely not saying that the NFL is responsible or culpable but we can’t deny the impact of head trauma that has cases of domestic violence, brain damage, physical trauma, and suicides that have been shared.
There is hope for them; there should be respect for them, and there should be love for them and teaching them the right way.