Memoirs of a Moorings

Crossing Lines

“The first lady is, and always has been, an unpaid public servant elected by one person, her husband. ~ Claudia Lady Bird Johnson

So I've always been more on the square side than the hip side. But when I saw this article Now Playing In the White House Bedroom:Hot Monogamy, I knew what I was feeling had nothing to do with being square or unhip. As a black woman in America, I'm always aware of how we are perceived in society at large. If we are smart, successful and ambitous, then are are the exception, not the norm. Our beauty isn't warmly embraced by media, and if it is, there is always a comparison to some mainstream beauty. So imagine my delight when M.ichelle O.bama stepped into her role as First Lady. The world's perceptions about black women have to change....or do they?

I understand what the author of this article was trying to say: that the O.bama's marriage and obvious love for each other is making those who second-guess marriage and fidelity take a second look. Monogamy is good and it can be very, very sexy. But some of his remarks could have been re-worded--especially when speaking about the spouse of our nation's leader. Talk about marriage and monogamy--cool. Bringing their sex life into it? Hmm.....

And to me, he started off on the wrong foot by opening the article: "I'm guessing the sex is so hot when the O.bamas are done, the B.idens light a cigarette. For the first time in years, the White House bedroom is going to see more action than Clinton's Oval Office. Baby got back and it brought monogamy with it. Ba.rack and M.ichelle are doing for fidelity what Clinton did with infidelity -- make us cover our eyes and peek through our fingers."

Big ups for him touting the First Couple's strong marital ties and intimacy, but I'm thinking we didn't need to wander into their bedroom. What are your thoughts?

Change Has Come!

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer." ~ Barack Obama (Presidential victory speech 11.4.08)

For all of us who are parents of little brown babies, we can now let them know that all things are possible. Yes, even being President of the United States.

This one asked for a B.arack O.bama t-shirt after he found out that he won the run for president...And you can best believe I'm on a mission to find him one!

Props

The slideshow of  this breathtaking proposal that has hit everyone's email inbox has gotten the attention of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. They ran a story this weekend on the couple whose engagement has gotten everyone buzzing. A GREAT story about how the whole thing unfolded. Check out the story here.

Took My Breath Away

I don't know this couple or the photographer, but this event was like none I've ever seen or heard of.(Thanks Toni for the email!) This young brother took proposing to a whole new level. Get the back story here. And check out the chronicle of this elaborate event here. Wish I could have been there for this one!

Slow Down...See the Beauty

“When you t ake a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not.” ~Georgia O'Keeffe

Lately I've been having to remind myself to slow down. I can easily work myself into a frenzy trying to get everything done at the same time. Again, that's not the kind of life I want to live. So when I stumbled across this Washington Post article Pearls Before Breakfast, I got back in my take it easy groove. Turns out this has been the most emailed article for the week and rightly so. It's a long read but worth it.....about how the Post did their own experiment. They planted a world-class violinist  Josh Bell in a Metro station at the height of the morning rush hour and had him play some of the best classical music pieces ever written to see what effect he had on people. Did he draw a crowd? Did anyone slow down. Read on. Really--take a quiet moment to read.

One part of the article that particularly struck me was this line: "Every single time a child walked past, he or she tried to stop and watch. And every single time, a parent scooted the kid away."

Wow! How many times have I been guilty of rushing Rhyan past the simple pleasure of watching a spider weave a intricate web or replied with an empty "uh huh" when he asks another why question.

Lord, help me to slow down and see the beauty in my everyday life and hear the melody of Your Word humming gently in my heart.

Black Daddies

As the mother of a black son, I am particularly interested in the best way to steer him to success on all levels. In my reading, like in this article, there is one common denominator that guarantees success more often than not--their father living in the home.

The media is overflowing with stories about the plight of the black man. Matter of fact, as a test, I typed the words "The Black Male" into Google to see what would come up and this is the first item I got. If you were to come from another planet--or country for that matter--and just take the media's view of black men at face value this is what you would surmise about them:
Black boys stay in trouble.
Black young men are in jail.
Black daddies don't stick around.

I love black men/daddies—not just because I have one or because I’m married to one. I love them simply because they are like an enigma to society at large. Sure some black daddies don't stick around, but there are many who do. Where are the stories of those black men who are shouldering their responsibilities? I can name off more than a few. I’m surrounded by black daddies who are there every day—working, disciplining, wiping noses, giving baths, and tucking them in at night. Truth is, their stories are not heard or told enough. Right now I'm offering applause to all those daddies not representing the stereotype.

(Speaking of black daddies, head over to African American Dad, one my favorite new places to visit. Be sure to wish him a happy belated bday and read the antics of his three year old son! He also has a link to a cool site extoling the virtues of black men.)