Hidden lessons from dear aunt Shirley

Lately, I have been in heavy thought about my dear, great aunt Shirley. She always held a special place in my heart since as long as I can remember. Perhaps it was her stylish ways that just kept me captivated. She was full of color, and had a very engaging smile and a LA-DEE-DA way about herself. She was such the diva in our family, and she gladly let it be known too! That is sort of the joke among some family members, when we begin to act in "high society"ways that are reminiscent of Shirley. Each of us secretly wanting to have some characteristics of her apart of us.....I mean, it's in our DNA to have a little bit of diva in us right? Only Natural.

*I pause in recollection, with a smile*

Well lately, I have been feeling so close to her although she is passed on. I feel close to her in the sense that I am finding myself drawn to some of the things that was so "classic" of her, putting her in my thoughts almost daily. Feeling like I can understand her reasoning on somethings, and wondering if this was the age of which she began to "be" the certain way that we all came to love about her. It makes me smile, when I see her reflected in me as I am more and more doing small things like her.

There were two things that she always did; 1) She always drank champagne and 2) she always wore sexy satiny lounge wear. In my memory of her, she did not have a special occasion to do these things. It was her routine. She was fancy and glamorous. Up until recently I just used to laugh it off, and think that was just her being "extra". But I have to realize lately that she was on to something and we just needed to catch up to her level. *side eye, sly grin*
It is in my understanding that her doing these things signified that she celebrated each day. She did not need anything special to sip champagne or wear her satiny pj's....she was worth it all the time. What a lesson! How often do I, do we live our life like it is a celebration? When do we take the time to appreciate our selves, and the small blessings that we have? My aunt Shirley was not a wealthy woman , but she appreciated the fine things, and according to her standards she had the best and she basked in it.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, enjoy the blessings in your life today. Share them with your family & friends. Don't wait for the special occasion to use your good china, or your nice tea set. I plan to Be like Aunt Shirley the Diva and pull out the champagne glass, pour myself some bubbly and relax in my satin pj's & robes....remembering that life in itself should be a celebration. The fact that I have yet another day to be my best self is a joyous occasion all it's own.

A valuable lesson indeed. Thanks Aunt Shirley....

One of the great one's

Yesterday we lost an amazing woman in music and entertainment, Lena Horne died at the age of 92. She sang a tune with her own flavor. Her eyes came alive as she sang a song with passion, excitement and a certain savvy that seems to have been lost in days of old. My first encounter with Mrs. Horne was in elementary school when I had to do a book report on her for Black History Month. It was during this time that I truly admired her beauty, her style and her professionalism in a business that was not always accepting and often contradictory. Although during the Cotton Club's peak years, people of color were not allowed to patronize the club, but only allowed to serve and provide entertainment, I fell in love with the thoughts of her performing at the Harlem Cotton Club in the 1930's. Imagining that my grandfather was in the audience, captivated by her voice. Over the years, I have seen her periodically on television shows such as, Sesame Street, Sanford and son, The Cosby Show and A different World. With over 30 albums to her credit, the singers and entertainment of the 21st century have a lot to learn, and beautiful high heeled shoes to fill.