Every Thanksgiving Day my family and I gather at my parents’ home for dinner. After we’ve feasted on the delicious meal my mom prepared with love, my dad reads a few scriptures from the bible. After the reading of the word each family member shares why they are thankful. Usually everyone gathered around the table are thankful for God’s love, family, friends, health, so on and so on.
It is at this time of the year I begin to reflect on the meaning of this holiday season. What does it mean to be truly thankful? Am I only thankful for the “big” blessings? The house, the car, the raise at work, etc.
After much reflection and honest soul searching I can admit that there are so many blessings that I’ve neglected to give thanks. It’s the simple little things like the smell of fresh flowers in springtime, the adorable chubby baby who blesses me with the brightest, toothless smile or my baby girl wanting to snuggle up and watch television with me.
Though these things are simplistic, there are so many folks who would give anything to have these experiences. Just imagine if you couldn’t smell a rose, see the smile of an innocent baby or feel the warmth of a child or a loved one.
This holiday season I’m making a conscience decision to give thanks not for just the big things, but the little things. What are you thankful for?
Victoria
Twenty-one years ago today was one of the happiest days of my life. My life would change forever as I entered into the new world of motherhood.On April 1, 1988 after twenty-eight agonizing hours of labor at 4:28 a.m. Martia Gaye Suzette came bursting on the scene, weighing in at 6lbs. 5oz. As I held her for the first time I inspected her tiny little body. I breathed a sigh of relief after making sure she was perfect in every way. After gently kissing her on the forehead I handed her over to my husband, her daddy.
Over the years raising Miss Martia has been quite an adventure. As a baby, she had a quiet temperament. Only time she cried was if hungry or needed changing. I suppose this may have been because while pregnant I would read to her from the book of Psalms and Proverbs.
Somewhere around the age of ten months Martia discovered she had a voice that could shatter glass. For hours she would bounce in her walker entertaining herself with her voice. This drove me absolutely crazy! LOL. Little did I know she would grow up to have a five and a half octave rang voice and sing Ava Maria so beautifully at church one Sunday morning she received a standing ovation.
As I spent the day with my daughter at a posh day spa being pampered from head to toe my mind took a wonderful trip down memory lane. Memories like the ones I mentioned above vividly danced in my mind. Her first step, first day at pre-school, first tooth left for the tooth fairy, trip to Disney World, first day of elementary, middle, high school, and then college all came rushing back. Reliving these precious moments had me repeatedly pulling her into my warm embrace and kissing her like she was that little chubby cheek ten month old all over again.
My mommy instincts whispered to me Martia had also taken a walk down memory lane, too. For each time I showered her with motherly affection she not only accepted it, but reciprocated it as well. As I sit here writing this entry for my blog, she’s curled up in a fetal position on my bed, sleeping like a baby. Although all grown up, she'll always be my baby.
Victoria
Although reading romance is my first love, every now and then I stray a wee bit. Back in January I did an interview with APOOO Bookclub and one of the questions pertained to my reading goal(s) for 2009.
Last summer I came across this wonderful used bookstore in Olde City Philadelphia. And what treasures did I find! I found copies of Quicksand and Passing by Nella Larsen, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs and Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston.I had the pleasure of reading Jacob's story for the second time last year as well as Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Getting back to my reading goal(s) for 2009. One of my goals was to read novels by female writers from the Harlem Renaissance. Today I started Quicksand by Nella Larsen. I'm totally looking forward to reading the thoughts and feelings of women from that era. I'm curious to know how or if our beliefs have changed.
What about you my fellow romance readers? Have you taken a break from romance? Please share with us what else interest you besides romance.
Victoria

Mary Eliza Mahoney was born on May 7, 1845 in Dorchester, Massachusetts. At the age of 33 she became the first African American graduate nurse. Mahoney began training as a nurse at New England Hospital. She remained steadfast and endured a 16 month program that was demanding with a difficult course load. The would be class of nurses started out with 40 students, however, only 4 students completed the course work. On August 1, 1879 Mahoney became the first African American to receive a diploma of nursing.
After graduation, Mahoney registered to be a private duty nurse. During this time period in the history of nursing, nurses were expected to perform domestic work as well as their nursing duties. Mahoney elevated the profession of nursing by refusing to work as a domestic. Her commitment to her patients was to provided excellent nursing care. Her skills as a nurse were so legendary that patients from states as far as New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina requested her compassionate care.
On January 4, 1926 Mahoney departed this life after suffering with breast cancer. In 1936 the National Association of Colored Graduated Nurses, which she co-founded in 1908, established the Mary Eliza Mahoney Award. In 1951 the NACGN merged with the American Nurses Association which continued the tradition of awarding this prestigious honor.
This Black History month I salute Mary Eliza Mahoney for her courage to stay the course. Because of her, the path she paved made my dream of becoming a nurse a reality.
Who do you salute this month for paving your path?
You have no choice but to surrender...
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