A Lesson From the Former Ms. Carter-Never Too Late

I'm back and in good spirits although I can't seem to shake this sinus/cold thing I caught at my mom's wedding Saturday-that's right, my mama finally walked down that aisle (there were so many date changes you wouldn't believe it but it happened!). That's my mom in the first pic, ready to walk down the aisle; I'm in the next pic with my mother's godson's mother, who people say looks like my twin. What do you think?

I remember being a little girl and wanting my mama to get married. I always thought, and still do think, that the woman was awesome. Also, because my father was not around I just thought it would be nice to have a stepdad-of course one worthy of her. After a while, once I hit my teens, I just kind of quit thinking about it really. I knew that the day would come for her, but I think she had quit thinking marriage would happen for her.

I remember a conversation we had a few years back, and she had made some comments along the lines of it being too late for her, at her age, for marriage, buying a home, and some other things that she passed on and wished to happen for me. I remember even then saying that she should not say that. Ironically, a few years after that conversation it seemed like mama started to accomplish quite a bit: She got back in school and within a year and a half obtained her Bachelor's degree and she went on her first cruise to the Caribbean. She didn't stop there-she is now in school going for her Master's degree and she did the one thing I specifically remember her saying she did not believe would happen to her-she got married and went from Ms. Carter to Mrs. McKenzie, and they are getting settled in their new home together. My mother, who will be 52 in December, started on the path to accomplish all of these things when she was in her late 40s. That is a lesson that many should learn to live by: that it is never too late to accomplish what you want in life. Unfortunately many people let age be the cause of them to not dream and pursue those dreams, but I for one have been a witness to it and I am soooo proud of my mama!

I am going to attempt to post some pics from the wedding with this (I'm still learning the tools of this site so bear with me!). Actually, here is my MySpace page where I have a slide show of the pics: www.myspace.com/shanikapatrice

She looked beautiful-just like the queen she is. The defining moment for me, where it really hit me that she was indeed hitched, was at the end of the reception about 1am when I was heading back to GR to get home. I was trying to call her to get her attention to hug her and tell her goodbye. Whenever she does not hear me or recognize that she's the "Mama!" that's being called amongst a crowd, I then call out her first and last name-I've always done that, out of habit. So I yelled "Anita Carter" and it hit me-a bittersweet moment actually. She turned around as always when I called her to see what I wanted, but then I immediately added McKenzie to the back of that. At that moment I think we both realized it was a new beginning for her because she got the same look and smile on her face as I did when I realized she had a new name now....like an "aww" moment! Like I said, bittersweet but just a sign of better things to come.

What things are you inspired to do that you thought it was too late for?

A Week of Revelation

I am back, having not "blogged" since the first day of autumn, but without further delay I am back and on a mission, in more ways than one. I have decided to try blogspot.com to see if I like it better than my last blog source. We shall see...

The last time I wrote I was on a natural high, probably due to the fact that the weather was beautiful and just enjoying the coming of autumn, I guess. I did submit that short story to the contest, and what a feeling of accomplishment that was when I sent it off. It has been a while since I've written, and on top of that the first time I've written a short story, so I felt like "Shanika is back"! Now I just need to keep it going.

Also, I was high on the idea that I may be teaching in the near future when I was invited to a faculty assessment for the educational institution I work for; since then I have found out that I was not considered to teach at this time which was a real blow. I was, and I am still, baffled by that, because I have never felt as confident as I felt after that assessment about my performance in such a situation. Maybe I was too confident, I don't know, but one thing is for sure-this obviously must not be the right time.

The revelations do not end there though. As soon as I got the news about the teaching position, my eyes was open to some other things as it relates to my current position and the future of my education. I will not go into the details at this time, but I had to have this wake up call to make me realize that I am worth more than what I give myself credit for, and I need to quit wasting time and fulfill my purpose. I realize that there will always be people who may not have your best interests at heart, especially when you're trusting in God and having faith, but you still have to keep moving forward. That is what I plan to do. I still have some major decisions to make, but I will do what I know I need to, according to God's plan. In he meantime, I will do my best at the position I have been placed in until I get where I am supposed to be. As one of God's messengers told me today, am the driver at the wheel (compared to those who are trying to throw obstacles in my path), so they need to get out my way and quit acting like they have bumpers!
Good night.