tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61736194339489653152024-02-08T08:51:50.614-08:00LIFEHelping people live their best "LIFE" and have it more abundantly. - John 10:10
LIFE with Khalilah Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971076747603028825noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173619433948965315.post-14689343571849757112023-10-18T17:35:00.004-07:002023-10-19T06:07:39.878-07:00 HE CALLED ME A DECEITFUL, LYING, ADULEROUS, WHORE<p style="text-align: center;"><b> HE CALLED ME A DECEITFUL, LYING, ADULEROUS, WHORE</b></p><p>I was already saved and baptized and yet even I couldn't escape the harsh names that were intended to push me into better. I confessed and was baptized as a child, but it did not keep me from sin growing up. I wanted to do right, but the dark drew me closer and closer as I wanted to fit in, although I always stood out. I began a horrible relationship in the most wrong way at the age of 6 which led me to search love in all the wrong beds. Sexually confused, and a mark for men who knew who to give me my moment of satisfaction, I began to drown in my own self torment and shame. I was on a one way ticket to hell on earth with gasoline draws on. I went from molestation, to rape, to promiscuity, to marital rape and abuse, and finally adultery before finally being healed, delivered, and set free and in a new marriage being loved and cherished. </p><p>When I reached the very end of my breakdown, I ran screaming to the Church asking for help. What lead to this moment was after fleeing my home because of an abuser and running into the arms of a user. I had had enough. However, before I knew where to run, I started seeking God and He answered me in such a harsh way (or so it felt). He took me to the book of Hosea and several other scriptures that described me to a tea. He called me deceitful, that I was deceiving men who did not know that, though I was separated, I was still married. I was lying to friends and family who had no idea I had been being abused for years and many other lies to make my life look polished. I was a whore by being so promiscuous regardless of things that happened to me. I was adulterous because I was cheating on my first love, God. </p><p>Those who are stuck in sexual sin, especially homosexual, get offended from being called certain words that come directly from the Bible, but it was those very words that saved my life. We think that to love someone means that it should feel good and sound pleasing, but he who is not chastened is not loved. God loves those He correct. With this cancel culture, it is extremely difficult for people to get to the end of their selves, because their issue are never their own but the fault of those that are truly trying to help them see it is a better way. I was dying daily, and not to self but to my selfishness. Though my upbringing was challenging, there came a time in my life that I had to decide that though it may have been who I was, it was not going to be who I remained. I had to decide that just because things happened to me, they were not me. I could be the fearfully wonderful person that God predestined me to be, or I could continue to hold on to what the world was trying to shape me into being. I chose God, my first love. </p><p>When we take the offense off of our sleeves and truly hear what is being said, we can see our situations for what they truly are and become who we are truly meant to be. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done!</p>LIFE with Khalilah Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971076747603028825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173619433948965315.post-18448092529068755552021-01-15T19:48:00.001-08:002021-01-15T19:48:10.203-08:00My Birthday...My Transformation<p> <span style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px;">In the beginning...God created me in His image.</span></p><div class="buofh1pr j83agx80 cbu4d94t gs1a9yip k4urcfbm qv66sw1b" style="align-items: stretch; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; font-family: inherit; width: 700px; word-break: break-word;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_8emu" style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit;"><p style="background-color: #242526; color: #e4e6eb; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Somewhere in between...the world redefined that image with its backstabbing, lied on and lied about, misuse, abuse, rape, unacceptance, abandonment, deceit, gossip, slander, etc.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then... I redefined it even more with my rebellion, sexual impurity, stealing, lying, gossiping, name-calling, back bitting, betrayal, deceit, slander, idol worship, etc. Regardless of my reasons, instead of following the rule to treat others the way I wanted to be treated, I began to treat others the way others treated me.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I, After I lost everything and gained it back, I learned:</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">- My strongholds could only be removed by prayer and fasting.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">-If I rescued someone once I would have to continue to rescue them so it is best to lead them to the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">source that does the rescuing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">-If you are willing to do everything for someone, they'll let you and then blame you when it doesn't</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">work out.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Every now and then it is okay for me to take time out just for myself without the stigma of being</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">selfish.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">-I don't have to feel bad about the success and blessings the Lord has given me in my life.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Love those that despitefully use me cause in time they'll realize who I am.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">-That just because people have a title doesn't mean that I should believe what they say. There is a</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">the reason the Lord says that His sheep know His voice.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">-You don't have to tell someone off just because they have offended you. You can simply tell them</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">that they have offended you.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Just because you forgive or have been forgiven, it doesn't mean you forget; therefore, you should</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">speak the forgiveness every time you remember.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">-People come and go, but those that remain and fight the good fight shall receive the promise.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">- There is no guilt or shame for a truly repentant person.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is much more, but I will leave it at that for this birthday. The world may not be perfect, and I may not be all that I should be, but God shall have the victory and finish the work He started in me before the world knew me.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you Heavenly Father for your kingdom and for giving me the tools to help build it and for doing your will on earth as it is in heaven. Father, thank you for this day and for my spiritual, as well as, my natural food on this day. Thank you Father for guiding my footsteps from the sins mentioned above and all other temptations that are common to me, and for delivering me from those that seek to harm me or mean nothing but evil towards me. Forgive me Lord for my sins mentioned above and even the sins that I committed unknowingly as I forgive those that I have hurt. Also, Father forgive me as I ask those in the past that I have hurt to forgive me as I also forgive myself. Father, you said that there is no condemnation for them that love the Lord. I thank you Father for those that you have allowed to stay in my life and for the ones that you have taken away...thank you for removing them. It's my birthday Father once again...Here I AM LORD...TRANSFORM ME! In Jesus Christ Name I pray...Amen</span></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div>LIFE with Khalilah Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971076747603028825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173619433948965315.post-57685580351384292112021-01-15T19:43:00.001-08:002021-01-15T19:49:02.612-08:00BLACK GIRL MANIFESTO -by Devynity<p><span style="background-color: #242526; color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px;"> I had to repost this note posted by my Goddaughter. It is so special to me. I didn't put my name in this poem, but the person who wrote it did as if she knew my story. When I was younger, I got talked about excessively. When I get older, I talked about, but by Christian women who I learned that their statements about me were no more true then the words of the children who thought teasing me made them better people. God is awesome...His sheep will know His voice!</span></p><div class="buofh1pr j83agx80 cbu4d94t gs1a9yip k4urcfbm qv66sw1b" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: #242526; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; width: 700px; word-break: break-word;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_8emu" style="font-family: inherit;"><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.41px;">They told me I was ugly,</span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Something like Pecola,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">undeserving of love—no kisses, no hugs</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">“Go scrub my floors!” they said</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">“Nurse my children and when they grow up they will call you ugly too because ugly’s what you are…</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">”They said the lighter, the better, but still not good enough</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Made me hate myself and my sisters</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Showed me thin white ladies with narrow noses</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Striking elegant poses</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Accentuating their emaciation, then they told me I was fat</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They put Hottentot Venus on display; with thick hips, thick thighs</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">and supple behind</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">And proclaimed her a freak of nature</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They called me mammy</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">And nanny, jigaboo, sapphire, jezebel, harlot, skeezer, slut,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">chickenhead, nappyhead and</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Too proud and independent</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Too loud and too relentless</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">The Black males’ emasculator</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">But still a welfare mother with one baby on each hip, 5 walking behind</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Legs spread open and wide</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">To keep those checks coming</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They probed my insides</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Mutilated my body in the name of science</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">When I complained, I was reprimanded and called defiant</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They made me hate myself and</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">My Blackness</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">My African-ness</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">My natural curves</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">With a nose like your father</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">A smile like your mother</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">African—yes! Before American ever was</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">And beautiful</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Strong, yet delicate</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Like the dandelions</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They put Donyale on the cover of Vogue but made her</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">cover her face</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They’ve denied us Oscars and accolades</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Told us we should hate ourselves</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Told us we should have no pride</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Hate our heritage, our culture, our lips, our nose</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Then Imus got on the air and called us nappy-headed hos</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Told us hip-hop made him do it</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">As if the word whore was somehow created by our music</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">As if we criminalized ourselves</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They showed me Shirley Temple dancing with Bojangles</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Showed me Marilyn Monroe, Raquel Welch, Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Then they gave me Aunt Jemima, gave me ashy knees and swollen feet DAX grease, straightening combs and bleaching cream</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">My kinky hair the crown God gave me to wear</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">And so I permed it</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Twisted it out of shape and I pressed it to make it straight</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">I burned it and colored it blonde</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They called me exotic</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">At once marveling at my beauty and making a mockery</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">of my humanity</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">And I’ve been made an exposition</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They greased me up and stripped me down</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Til there was nothing mo</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">’Still, they copy my style—from my braids to my wrap to my fro</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Still, they sing my songs</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">And envy my complexion</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Still, they put me down</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">I’m so yellow, so red, so black, so brown</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">So beautiful—it’s true</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">They almost convinced me I was ugly</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Til I saw you</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">My sister</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Your radiance resonates in my reflection</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">With cornrows and thick lips</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">And the backside that switches like a pendulum</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Jumping double Dutch in the schoolyard</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Color confident</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Almond-shaped brown eyes</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">As if we enslaved ourselves</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">As if we segregated ourselves</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">As if we were brought here hating ourselves</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Well this is my Black girl manifesto</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">For my sisters in the suburbs and the ghettos</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">For Nikki, Alexis, Keisha</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">For Jessie, and Khalilah</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">For Black girls who beg their mommies for white Barbies</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Looking in the mirror, hoping that their faces will change</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">For the mikas and the iquas and the aquas and the fiyahs</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">You are beautiful the way God made you</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">The sun loves you</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Can’t you feel it embrace you?</span></span></p></div></div></div>LIFE with Khalilah Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971076747603028825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173619433948965315.post-39595039363421688272021-01-15T19:36:00.000-08:002021-01-15T19:36:01.916-08:00A MOTHER'S LOVE<p> <span style="background-color: #242526; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px;"><span style="color: white;">This note is in preparation to my daughter Destiny's 16th birthday on August 25th:</span></span></p><div class="buofh1pr j83agx80 cbu4d94t gs1a9yip k4urcfbm qv66sw1b" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: #242526; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; width: 700px; word-break: break-word;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="_8emu" style="font-family: inherit;"><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Mother and daughter relationships are complex because the daughter looks to her mother as a role model of what a woman is. As she grows up and sees another woman who lives their lives differently, she chooses between imitating her mother or another. As an adolescent, she may come to look down on her mother and think that other woman are much better. Of course she is not a fully grown woman, so she does not understand the challenges and choices that her mother faced or faces. It is only when she herself becomes a woman that she can fully appreciate her mother.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: -0.41px;">Because I'm Your Mom</span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Because I am your mom, I loved you before you were ever seen</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">I thanked God for this miracle, this little human being</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">So exciting, yet fragile it all seemed to be</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Hearing your little heart beat inside of me</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Because I am your mom, no pain was too great for me to bear</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Now you and I have joys and pains to share</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">And so into this world your life began each breath now on your own</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">One day we will look back at just how much you’ve grown</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Because I am your mom, I worried for you within my every bone</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">I finally let go of your little hand to take your first steps on your own</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Because I am your mom, I showed you through the years</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">To care about others and their feelings and the things that they hold dear</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Because I am your mom, I taught you right from wrong</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Understanding that your faith in God will forever keep you strong</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Showing you that being your own person is the only tool you’ll need</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">When morals and values are your foundation to succeed</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Because I am your mom, I loved you enough to also be your friend</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">I would be right there in ways that no one could see or ever comprehend</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">When there was no way you thought I could ever understand</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">There I would be, non-judging and willing to lend a hand</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Because I am your mom, God’s gift to me was you</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">As my daughter I will always love you and promise to be true</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">I thank you for so many things and will try to never make you sad or blue</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Because I am your mom, and one-day you will be a mother too</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">I pray you never forget all that you’ve been through</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">You are my daughter and in my image I hope that you are proud to be</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">By the grace of the Lord you were created, and then you came to be</span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: -0.41px; line-height: 24px; margin: 16px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">I love you mhy darling DESTINY and pray that you never forget whose you are (God's), who you are (God's child), and what you mean to me (Everything)!</span></span></p></div></div></div>LIFE with Khalilah Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12971076747603028825noreply@blogger.com0