Long Live the Boogie Man

My brother John used to live in the linen closet. Not really. He was just pretend. But he was the best brother anyone could ever have. Not only was he to blame when things went wrong, but he was my problem solver, and my protector too. There was a mean girl in the neighborhood (let’s call her Edwina) who threatened to beat me up. I admit, I was intimidated by her, but I couldn’t tell her that. So I calmly told her about John.  I explained that he was unpredictable. No one ever knew when he would come out or…

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Baby Steps

  You may not know it, but there was a fourth member of the Motown group, The Supremes. It was my mom. At least that’s what she told me when I was a kid. Before putting me to bed, she would tell me stories of her experiences on the road with Diana Ross and the other girls. To this day, I’m almost sure that it was true, even though I also know it wasn’t. What a wonderful way to imagine your momma. Strong and beautiful. Admired and loved by all. Not only did it allow me to see her possibilities,…

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Get Yours

HELP.  That was what I was sure I needed so many years ago.  I was 19 years old, on my own, far from home, and I was asking for money. How difficult it is to ask for what we want, especially when we are in the midst of the struggle.  Now in reading that old letter, my fears and concerns were clearly very serious and real.  I had no idea how I would make it.  It seems to far away, but I can still feel it’s intensity in my chest and in my toes, even now, so many years later. …

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