My first mother's day without a mom...

I couldn’t say it was for or about her. It would be a fraud. This would be a total affront. Mami took care of everyone. Of course, she takes care of me in death.

These are living, breathing, loving discoveries I have learned by watching, listening to, loving, and sharing space with beautiful, powerful, majestic women in the last year.

Nobody said anything next to their name. This is what I learned from them. The Bible chapter according to Ruth that I believed was delivered by the indomitable spirit of Rev. Dr. Barbara Ann LaToison...

Tahira Christmon, MA - 2 things here, more things later. I can only do a disservice by quoting her sparingly in a multifaceted approach. So the apology must go first!

• Discipline is the hardest lesson. Commitment is the most difficult agreement. But if you want people to trust you, you must first trust yourself to do the right thing.
• Tiffany Cross’s concept of machetes as friends. It exists, and my expectation for it is not juvenile. It is honest. I have the right to find my people.

Tonia Wellons: Never mistake mental, emotional, bureaucratic, or political violence for peace. Move through it diplomatically, and learn yourself.

Dr. Shauna D. A. Knox : You can learn and know yourself without judging yourself. Your honesty with yourself helps you define all your future selves into God’s intended creation.

Dr. Yanique Redwood : Rest is possible, pleasurable, responsible, and attainable.

Stacey Lytle (she, her) : Your faith doesn’t always require you to suffer. There is liberation in faith, and our God gave us the ability to choose.

Taryne Dismuke : Facing yourself brings the best joy. A strength overused is a constraint. Her use of that fact in the most timely fashion is an intuitive competence. Progressive discovery (her coaching and consulting strategy) has allowed me to grow up in safety and nonjudgment. I love you big sis.

Vajaah Parker : Love is ever present; value the timely presentation of that presence.

Kelly Lynch : If the joy of being amazing after a dark time doesn’t make you enjoy life, what good is it to pretend? The peace of the world exists all around us.

Marla M. Dean : Sometimes calculated engagements make you most honest about your needs and boundaries, not necessarily transparent in the face of violence. Adore yourself.

Temi F. Bennett, Esq. : Blackness is a virtue. Learn it, love it, grow it, protect it.

Chioma Iwuoha : Sometimes loyalty is side eyes you’ll never learn about, but the intent of your goodness is what you should focus on.

LaDonna Young (Alex): Being impatient with others might be an indication that you are impatient with yourself. Slow down and be okay with that.

D'Lynn Jacobs : We all have a story that needs healing. Healing together can be fun, restorative, deep, light, and super cool. Look for that on purpose.

Mosadifa Azubuike : The truth is most people don’t need to know all the truths because they thrive on drama. Keep some things sacred. It’s how you protect the little girl in you.

Manon Matchett : You could NEVER play me.

Jené Curley : It’s not that people are naturally disloyal, but most expectations of loyalty are taught in violent environments. What if you protected the love you need?

Viviana ángel-Cruz : You have every right to love yourself first and foremost. It doesn’t mean you won’t take care of your people; it just means…we all know the airplane oxygen mask example. We just act like it doesn’t exist.

@Sandra: Girl, who are you? Love you. Pay attention to you. Develop you. Adore you. Who is anyone else unless in relation to you? This is literally YOUR life.

Leneé Lyte, CPA : You are powerful and desired in business. We are the heroes. No one is coming to save us, but there is a multitude of support.

Samantha Abrams : Is it possible? Yes! An innovative and ambitious Black woman can be loved, can thrive, can find community, and she deserves to plant flags on her gifts!!!!!

Dr. Indira Henard : You can hide from a lot of things, but not love.

LaShelle ("Shelley") Williams-Franklin : Girl, stop it. You better ask for help!

Alysse Henkel : Love is healthy quality time, and attention to detail.

Millicent D Williams : Wisdom is growing past immaturity, yours and everyone else’s.

Adria Anderson, MS, MBA : Compassion is foremost about honesty.

Tracye Funn : My suggestions are peer-reviewed, but my process wasn’t doctoral. That doesn’t make it a lesser strategy from which we should learn. It’s called community.

Rebecca C. Hershey, Esq. : Sometimes a silent, loyal, listener is all you need.

Nathalie Molina Ni?o : Success is the journey of creating a loving environment that includes people who love you for who you are and show up for who you’re striving to become.