What Have You Done For Me Lately?

 A tall handsome deeply melanated brother (DMB) humbly approached me in the market.

DMB: Can I ask you a question my sister (slightly distracted)

ME: Sure, how can I help (not sure what to expect)

DMB: My son has his friends over and they want hummus to go with their chips.  I have no idea what hummus is (engulfed in vulnerability that was tangible in that moment)

ME: Follow me (I smiled, touched the small of his back; walk him over to the hummus aisle and conducted a brief lesson on hummus)

DMB: Thank you so much.  I didn’t know what I was going to do (He smiles, proceeds to peruse the myriad of options)

This Father took a risk with a complete stranger to figure out how to fulfill his sons’ request. As I walked away the gravity of that interaction touched me in a deep place.  

Hectic Holiday Pause

During the busyness of the holiday, take a moment to pause and connect to your inner self.  We offer these words from the Native American tradition. Hear these words:

"O Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me. I come before you, one of your children, I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made, my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may know the things you have taught my people, the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.  I seek strength not to be superior to my brothers but to be able to fight my greatest enemy. Make me ever ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes, so that when life fades as a fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame."