Happy Monday!
I'm very proud to post today's blog, and after you read it, you'll understand why. Serena has been an inspiration to not only me, but to many of you who read my blog on a regular basis. Her spirit is boundless, her positive energy flows through everything action, every word spoken and every word written. I am constantly in awe of her, and I'M thankful to be able to call her a friend.
I'm Still Thankful...by Serena T. Wills.
“Now when it seemed like I was losing and I felt like giving up,
Lord I Say Thank You.
Your love rushed in like a mighty flood and lifted me above,
And Lord I Say Thank You…
Thank you Lord for my family…thank you Lord for keeping me.”
Lisa Page Brooks - Gospel Artist
Hello blog fam. This isn’t a sermon, but had to start off with a few lines from one of my favorite songs on the airwaves. This small part of the song describes the mountains that not only I climbed, but numerous friends that lost loved ones this year. Total there are 7 of us that have lost either our mothers or fathers since January - not to count other mountains that were faced such as grieving, trying to heal, going through months of legal guardianship papers and court documents, financial stress, commuting back and forth to NYC every month, etc.
I'm very proud to post today's blog, and after you read it, you'll understand why. Serena has been an inspiration to not only me, but to many of you who read my blog on a regular basis. Her spirit is boundless, her positive energy flows through everything action, every word spoken and every word written. I am constantly in awe of her, and I'M thankful to be able to call her a friend.
I'm Still Thankful...by Serena T. Wills.
“Now when it seemed like I was losing and I felt like giving up,
Lord I Say Thank You.
Your love rushed in like a mighty flood and lifted me above,
And Lord I Say Thank You…
Thank you Lord for my family…thank you Lord for keeping me.”
Lisa Page Brooks - Gospel Artist
Hello blog fam. This isn’t a sermon, but had to start off with a few lines from one of my favorite songs on the airwaves. This small part of the song describes the mountains that not only I climbed, but numerous friends that lost loved ones this year. Total there are 7 of us that have lost either our mothers or fathers since January - not to count other mountains that were faced such as grieving, trying to heal, going through months of legal guardianship papers and court documents, financial stress, commuting back and forth to NYC every month, etc.
Despite losing my mother, “Marguerite Sauti Wills” to Ovarian Cancer on February 19th of this year, I could still be thankful. This holiday season, I asked Brooke if I could write for her blog because it was on my heart to show someone (if not some people) how a person like me is truly thankful during this holiday season for the gifts I, as well as my friends, already received. While some are stressing over buying gifts standing in long lines at Target; my friends and I can all stand and say we made it this year. Some want books for Christmas to stimulate their minds…we’re thankful we still have a piece of mind. Some want jewelry from their special one to warm the heart…we have started to receive healing for our hearts. Others want something expensive that they think will treat their spirits and soul…all we wanted was our spirits and souls to be restored after going through what we experienced.
Do you see where I’m going with this? Gifts are not just from a store or material items, they are from the heart and other sources in life. One guy I ran into asked me, “How can you still be so thankful after He took away your mother? What’s the deal with that…how can you still smile, perform, write…?” True statement.
Trust me, I have my moments and I let it out. I have no shame to cry, pray, go into deep meditation, talk to my counselor, friends, etc. It’s not a sign of weakness…it’s a sign of a person who wants the healing to begin and take over. If I don’t do these things, then I would be a basket case locked away somewhere or worse off…dead and gone because I took my own life. I have to be thankful because I’m still here and not going anywhere. I have reconnected with people that Mom and I lost touch with over the years, my heart is once again open for love, I can see a bright future in front of me, I finally have a job that I truly enjoy, became a co-guardian with my dynamic grandmother on December 10th to my sister Christina who is severely autistic, my writing is taking off and it's my therapy and have touched people through it, my family is being restored and we have reunited because of mom‘s doing from afar.
Today, share with a person that you love what you’re most thankful for as this year comes to a close - and don’t let it be material (ie…"I’m thankful for the 42 inch plasma babes"). No…we aren’t talking about that type of thanks. Reach down and know that there are so many people like me that made it through this year, can stand tall and say…thank you.
Make amends with that someone that is truly worth it…it’s been tugging on your heart to reach out to them. Whether it’s a friend or relative and even if it’s just a simple, “Hey…I’m thinking of you” - it’s a start. Call a friend or family member up that you haven’t heard from in a while and say, “I love you and just stopped by to say so.” Life is too short to keep things like a simple, “I love you” inside our hearts. Tomorrow isn’t promised, so just say it.
I’m also curious as to what you are thankful for - share with us on the blog and inspire all of the many readers!
When I chime onto the blog, I experience so many people that have such warm hearts, that don’t ask for much, just want their basic needs met, and can still smile despite what’s happening. Celebrating babies being born (I have 5 friends that are currently pregnant…very exciting), jobs created and businesses taking off, freedom from stressful relationships, love in bloom, health restored, dreams coming true…I see so much on this blog and I wanted to say from the bottom of my heart…thank you. Thank you for all of the compliments, prayers, good vibes, support, love and laughs. God bless and have happy holidays.
- Serena T. Wills - aka Divine Wryte
