Hypertension + African Americans

That Was a Close One

 I am driving along a somewhat isolated roadway in the early morning.  There is a man laid out by the side of the road near the curb.  His arms were stretched out, hands curled, legs up and bent at the knees.   I stopped to see if he would move; he did not.  I called 911. They asked me to wait and flag-down the ambulance; I agreed.  So as I sat waiting, a security guard from an adjacent property stopped and got out of his vehicle. He thought I needed help because I had my hazard lights on.  I pointed to the man on the side of the road.  The security guard went to a nearby tree and pulled a branch off.  I was not sure why he did that until he walked over and started poking this man with the tree branch. Low and behold this man raised himself up and said; “oh hello officer” just as clear as a bell.  About this time the ambulance rolled-up.  The security guard said, “I’ll take it from here, ma’am”.  The universe was conspiring for his good for sure.

It’s a Southern Thang Ya’ll

Everybody always got something to say about the south.  But at the end of the day, the people of this region will keep it real; greet you with a smile and a hardy hug.  This is one of the fastest growing regions in North America.  That is why we have and continue to invest in our community.  It must be that southern hospitality.  It’s hard to resist the charm for sure.

Purple Passion + Purpose

Paisley Park Purple Pilgrimage done!  When business travel takes you to the land of Paisley Park, you must lay your eyes on the place where genius lived, and greatness flourished. Minneapolis held so many pivotal places that shaped the brilliance of Prince. 

Joy in the Unexpected

While out walking on a beautiful spring evening, I heard a gang of feet coming up behind me.  I gripped my walking stick a little tighter and turned around only to find some puppies joining me on my walk.  They trailed along with appropriate social distancing, followed me home and turned around to return to their street after the walk was complete.  They made me smile.

Reach Out and Touch Somebody

A former colleague reached out to me from the other side of the world to make sure I was not swept up by the weather events happening across the country.  I was sincerely touched by their concern.  I have crossed paths with so many kind and caring souls as I travelled the world.  When one you have not heard from in sometime checks on your well-being it touches you in unexpected ways and blows your skirt up.

Black Love Challenge

February is a month where we celebrate love and history.  Let’s embrace this as the month of Black Love.  Take time to love on your Negro, Colored, Black, Indigenous, People of Color or African American sisters and brothers however they may refer to themselves.  Reinforce their value, worth and beauty in a world where they may be “othered”. Honor them with thoughtful intention this month and every month.  We can shift the narrative.  The evolution continues!