Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
Happy Thanksgiving Day everyone, today
and every day! WOW! There has been one hundred twenty-four past days of finding
ways to be thankful! What a journey…huh? On July 25, I started at the
very bottom, having you be thankful with me for the simplest thing as a TOILET!
It is not so simple when you need to go and do more than release fluid. Sorry,
I had to take you there, but some of you are still just as ungrateful as ever.
Yes, I said it. Anyway…we started day one with the toilet and yesterday we were
(I was) thanking people who have made a certain impact on my life this year. I
do not know about you, but I am certainly MORE aware of the things for which I
have to be thankful than I was on July 25, 2015. I hope you are too. In
addition, if not, then it is time to start your own journey of thankfulness. Go
into the year 2016 with a more thankful heart than you have had in 2015.
So, to all of you who took any
time whatsoever to stop at my blog to boost thankfulness in your day or just to
see what this girl was talking about, I hope this has enriched your life just
as much as it has enriched mine to write it. I am sending a special thanks to
all those who shared my postings or commented. You did not have to do that but
you did and I am truly grateful. I pray you always keep a thankful heart.
This is just the end of the Days of PURPOSEFUL
Thankfulness. I am still here to inspire. J God bless you!
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
I tell ya’…God certainly has ways
of using people and events to orchestrate my life, getting me to where I need
to be. I had to go all the way to Cape Girardeau for an introduction to Hustle
and Flow—The Experience, an open mic event that takes place the end of every
month right here in St. Louis. Therefore, I am thankful for the experience of
finding out about the Missouri Writer’s Guild, which let me to attending a
writer’s conference in Cape Girardeau, I heard about through the guild.
There I was at the conference,
browsing my phone while on a break. I was waiting for the next session, so the
best way for me to pass the time was—Facebook. Ha ha! I was in my own little
world until two women walked up to me that I had seen in one of my other
sessions. One of them said, “So what are
you writing?” Caught off guard, I must have looked like a deer caught in
headlights when I think the first thing that came out of my mouth was “Uhmmm…”
with a smile. I was at a WRITER’S CONFERENCE browsing Facebook. (Hey do not
judge me…sometimes I do the oddest things to deal with my nerves) I thought she
was asking me what I was writing on my phone, but she went on to explain that
she was talking about what form of writing I do or what writing projects am I
working on. In addition, we joked about what she thought she
was reading on my face in response to her initial question. LOL! That was
funny. Anyway, the three of us discussed what each of our writing interests
were and surprisingly, they travelled from St. Louis as well. I mentioned that
I had just started going to share my poetry at a monthly reading in Kirkwood
but I was looking for something else. That is when they told me about Hustle
& Flow—The Experience. Thank you Mocha Williams and Chan Poetrynmotion
Davis for introducing me!
In July, I presented my first
piece to the crowd of new ears. If you want to know what I shared, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYQIGAAK90w.
In August, I presented another piece. A week ago, I decided to cross over into
Fairview Heights, IL from Florissant, MO just TO LISTEN
at the My First Love Is Poetry series (presented by the same group for
Hustle & Flow—Secure Entertainment (http://www.secure-ent.com/)).
However, the host called me to share!! I used to do sermonic solos
at my old church—I have been trained to be ready at all times (I had two poems
folded in my purse—he he!).
So, little steps in my passion
this year for writing but all things for which I am VERY, VERY thankful! It has been an
adventurous year!
Please be sure to visit one of
these young women’s pages on Facebook. You will be able to say you had a
firsthand look at the book while yet in the works before it goes to print: https://www.facebook.com/CeeElleReid/?pnref=story
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
Today the person to whom I want
to say thank you and focus on has contributed to my passion for writing. Never
in a million years did I expect or anticipate the support received from this
person. Sunday afternoon, January 18, 2015, while the team for the hair salon
owner’s video shoots was setting up, I became “tutorial-ready” as Ms. Sherri
Thomas’ demonstration model. “You are going to need to lose the gum…it can pick
up sound…” was one thing said to me by this person who told me he was in charge
for the day. A little later, I guess he came up with a thought or already had
this idea formed in his head because he asked me, “Can you dance?” My head was
hanging over in the shampoo bowl at this point, “Ha! NO!” I laughed. I thought
to myself, the only dancing I did was with my older sister growing up, most
times in our bedroom in front of the mirror—PRIVATE DANCERS! Anyway, he had
this whole idea created in his brain. At the end of the shoot for the tutorial,
I was thinking “what in the world…” because someone literally had her son come
to the salon to teach me the Sha-nay-nay in the matter of minutes (I guessed I
spelled it right. I never heard of it until that day). This writer, producer,
and director had me humiliating myself repeatedly until he was satisfied with
the shot. (Seriously, everyone said it was fine, I just felt ridiculous…lol!)
This is how I met Mr. Michael D. Francis.
Michael specializes in taking
projects from concept to completion. He has worked in various production roles for
many shows, to name a few: Nellyville,
Judge Judy, Survivor, Biggest Loser, The Voice, America’s Got Talent, Let’s
Make a Deal, and Judge Faith. So for a writer like me, where writing is not
my actual field of work, it is humbling to have someone who is “walking in” their
craft every day to pull you into one of their personal projects they are
working on to help someone else. For some reason they believe you can do what
they need done. He has taken time to pay attention to the fact that I write
without me ever mentioning it or hinting for him to notice. He has taken time
to make me aware of workshops/events or other opportunities for writers. Michael
even recently took an opportunity to recommend me to a university professor to
write a piece for a film project still under production. These are all the
types of things that make me thankful for Michael’s thoughtfulness and generosity.
So that generosity deserves just a little bit of embarrassment from me. J
Michael prides himself in helping
others achieve their dreams and reach their goals. It shows and I can
definitely vouch for that. A Californian, he keeps many St. Louis people in the
entertainment field working. Michael shares that he is working to bring more
production and entertainment options to St. Louis. The hope is to expand the
opportunities for the talent pool that exist here. You should also know that
Michael has written, shot, produced, and/or directed web content that has
captured millions of views for up-and-coming comedians to comedic veterans,
like Mike Epps. However, do not be fooled, Michael’s production work reaches
beyond the entertainment arena into the world of unsung heroes like the non-profit,
The Korey Johnson Foundation (http://www.koreyjohnsonfoundation.com).
A guy who likes to stay behind
the scenes without a lot of fanfare, Mr. Michael D. Francis is developing
multiple shows of his own based right here in or “about” St. Louis. He hopes to
have them on the air within the next year. Yeah, I think it is time for someone
to come out of the shadows.
https://www.facebook.com/michael.d.francis.10/about
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
I was gone from Facebook for over
a year and this year I returned to help promote the work of a young woman that
I believe in very much. I have talked about her maybe a couple other times
before in two of my postings. One of those times was in my other blog if you do
not recall or never read it: http://charsglasshouse.blogspot.com.
I have benefitted greatly from her
background in Trichology due to my permanent hair loss. I am truly grateful for
this owner of The House of Raw Elegance, Ms. Sherri Thomas, for giving me back
part of my freedom. As of December 30, 2015, her gift, knowledge, and wisdom will
have freed me from wigs for 2 years now. I am also thankful that she asked me
to participate in her video tutorial for other clients to view. Sharing my
secret was a big deal but I already knew it was something I needed to do for
other women. After all, for many of us, seeing is believing…unfortunately.
Well, you know WRITING is my
passion—right? Tomorrow you will see how saying yes to revealing my secret
opened the door to writing opportunities and connections with others that have
absolutely nothing to do with my hair. This person deserves a GREAT amount of my gratitude.
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
Among all my siblings, my sisters
are the main ones with which I have argued, cried, had dances in the mirror
(actually that was just my older sister and me), and had girl talks. I am
thankful that I can say I have sisters. I know of others who have either no
sisters or no siblings at all. I cannot imagine ever growing up not having
them, even with us annoying each other at times.
One special thing I still hold on
to this day from my older sister, Denise, is a keyboard she got me for
Christmas one year. I never learned to play it; I always thought that one day I
was going to sing and learn to play that keyboard. I took one piano class in
college. I just did not have the patience to stick with it. It is not for sell
and I will not get rid of it. Someone once asked to buy it. It is not the type
of thing you give away.
My younger sister, Lynn, was my
buddy growing up. The two of us were left out of many things because we were
too young to participate. When I started writing and composing songs, both of
my sisters were such good sports to allow me to put them through repeated
rehearsals of my songs but I think Lynn was more willing. However, as we got
older and it was just Lynn and me singing (not my songs) I think I was annoying
her with my rehearsals (it was that spirit of perfectionism rearing its ugly
head). I am so thankful to have sisters who are long-suffering! LOL! I have to
mention that when Lynn was born she never read the memo that she was and is the
youngest of her six siblings. Nevertheless, I admire the passion she holds for
her family; she’s everybody’s mother.
My sisters may some days wane on my
nerves and I on theirs, but they are the only female circle I have found with me throughout my life. ~Char
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
Today I have to talk about my
oldest brother, Charles. I would have to say that he is the sibling that was my
cheerleader when I was growing up and coming into young adulthood. The other
siblings encouraged as well; he was just exceptionally encouraging and believed
that I would excel and brag on me. I have to say that he was also the one that
influenced me living in Florissant when I first left home. I was looking at a place
in Black Jack and he gave me his big brotherly advice. Obviously, he had
great influence because almost 16 years later I am still here. J
Angelo, my second oldest brother,
left home for college when I was in grade school. I sure did love hearing the
sound of him playing that saxophone. Besides my brother Antonio, he was the
other brother that did some drawing but he was mostly into the horn playing and
still is today (along with being a pastor). I think seeing the two of them draw,
contributed to me picking up the pencil to draw though I was primarily writing.
You know…come to think of it, my brother William did a “little bit” of drawing
too but he loved redefining wood and still does today. All these creative genes…and
I traded it for computers—how/why??? I digress. Anyway, I am grateful that
though my brother left home when I was little he fell into a life that has kept
him close to God. Many youth go off to college and you cannot say that they
retain a “sound” mind. While writing this—my mind goes back to some years ago
when he was having a serious problem with his vision. I thank God for sustaining
his vision. God is indeed merciful.
How grateful are you for loved
ones in your life?
Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do
not know what this is all about.
Okay…so I am fortunate to have
four brothers but today I will focus on two of them and the other two tomorrow.
I am grateful for my brothers for many reasons but especially grateful for having William and Antonio in my life when
the buses stopped running in the evening close to my final years of college. They were the two that would make sure I had a ride from my evening classes in Webster Groves back
home to Wellston. They played a part in contributing to me doing what I needed
to do to complete my studies, and I am extremely grateful they took turns doing
that for me. It has been a little over 20 years since I have been out of
college but I still remind myself of every person that contributed to me having
what I have today as a result of God’s hand in every facet of my education.
Never take for granted the contribution of family members that touched some
area of your life that bears some fruit today.
