What Do i do Now? HeySistah Publishing

I realized I hadn't written in quite awhile. My sister passed away and I tried to envision my life without her voice, guidance, smile, love, support, and strength.  When I thought the pain was more than I could bear, Not quite a week later the father of my children, love, friend,soul-mate,protector, and defender passed away as well. I am still reeling from the loss, so much so that there are days when all I can do is moan or cry to release some of the anguish I feel now that I no longer have a partner in crime, a ride or die.  Some days it seems like a dream from which I will awaken, and others it feels as though i'm in an alternate universe like in a sci-fi movie. I wonder where he is and what he's doing, if he's missing us as much as we're missing him. If he has regrets, and wishes he could have a chance to do things differently.    It's almost Christmas and I'm trying to feel the happiness of the season.  I'm in a new home, the kids are in a new ...

Growing up on Carpenter my sister Evelyn like so many other older siblings helped raise me. My mother was a teen when she had Evelyn and all of us that followed her were taught, guided and nurtured by my beautiful Big Sister. I had a doll when I was little that looked just like her and I thought it was the most beautiful doll I ever had. My sister personified grace, class, an enduring and strong spirit and a Angel in our midst. She encouraged me to sing, dance, play tennis, a nd any endeavor i pursued she supported me in my efforts. She did so with unwavering strength, a beautiful smile, and infectious laugh and a bottomless empty pocket. She like my mother made me forever rich in love and support. She helped me be a strong independent woman. I am so glad I was able to call her my sister friend.. I remember her working as a teacher, and at American Draperies on 63rd & Halsted street where she was the top seller, i learned my sales skills from her. She drove me all to\ver the city...

Praise the Lord I's here!! Happy Birthday to me! WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME? When I was growing up on Carpenter we would walk the neighborhood and I would wish I could see into the future what my life would be like someday, when I had a car, job possibly a family. I must say it has been infinitely different than I could've EVER imagined! For along time I lived a solitary life, I traveled, and partied. Enjoyed the best things life had tooter and spared no expense todo so. Then life happened and I chose to stop working full time care for my Mommie while she battled cancer with treatments 5 days a week, wouldn't trade nothing for the journey... I had given up on having children and then at the age of 39 I was blessed with one son and at 41 and 3mos along when Ifound out!! I was blessed with another. Eventually after noticing his failure to reach milestones, I had him evaluated at 1yrs old and my youngest was diagnosed with Autism. wouldn't t...

I t's early and I've been up since I heard Mrs. Smith went to Glory.. For me each time someone that touched my life in a profound way passes away it is a moment of reflection for me. I reflect on how I knew them and I play over in my mind the moments in my memory that our paths crossed. What influences they may have had on me, and then I pray they did and said all they wanted to do while they were here. The other day when the party for Mrs. Payne was held and Mrs. Hill was there, I wished I had known I would have very much liked to attend. I don't go many places that aren't child related, and while I have visited Mrs. Hill and her family in the past on an impulse, you don't want to disturb people just out of the blue. So when there was a party and they were gracious enough to leave the comfort of their homes to attend, I would've moved hell and high water to be there to honor those great ladies as they deserve, where I would not care much if it were just an...

" WHAT DO I DO TO HELP MY CHILD DURING HIS/HER MELTDOWN?" As a parent to a child with autism, you’re probably no stranger to meltdowns. During a sensory meltdown, children with special needs have very little control over their behavior. They may scream, break things, attack others and even try to hurt themselves. While it’s painful to see your child lose control for seemingly no reason, meltdowns help you understand when your little one is experiencing sensory overwhelm. As a parent, it’s essential that you learn to recognize the signs of a meltdown so you can keep your child safe, and help them regain control and composure. Perhaps what’s most terrifying about a sensory meltdown is the extent to which a child loses control. During a meltdown, a person with autism is completely unaware of their actions and what’s happening around them. Their behavior is an involuntary, knee-jerk response to sensory overwhelm. It’s almost as if they’ve had a complete break with real...

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and as I scroll through the many beautiful photos of people and their mommies I wonder.   I wonder do they realize how blessed they are to be able to talk to, hold, hug, laugh with, kiss tenderly on her soft cheek, gaze into her wise eyes, feel like a kid no matter how old they are. Are they not treasuring every moment, even the ones when they try your patience like a child. My mom would ask me to come take her on an errand , and then have 5 other stops she didn't tell me about. What I wouldn't do to schlep here around once more. I miss her making my favorite dinner for my Birthday, and giving me an Easter basket every year.  I understand so much now that I'm a mother myself, and although I gave her everything I could I wish I could've given more. She made it look so effortless, and I loved the nights we stayed up all night watching movies and eating leftovers, just us two, and I now realize she was probably up because she was up wo...

Good Morning , Growing up on 67th & Carpenter I had many role models and learned the value in each persons role and to respect their endeavors at excellence. I watched some mothers stay at home and care for the house and raise the children while the father went to work,Mrs. Hill buying all that food and milk at Hillmans Grocery Store on 63rd. Mrs. Veal taking care of her home, Mrs. Keenon going to work, Mrs.Payne and Mrs.Wilks, and Mrs. Lingo sending their kids out with ful l bellies and ready for school. Mrs. Myers,Mrs. Marshall, Mrs.Scott. Mrs. Jett, Daisy, Mrs. Lester being single Moms working hard to feed and raise their families, some were widows some left men to raise their children alone becaiuse that was best for them and I respect that much more now that I know how truly hard that is. Especially the moms with 5 or more kids I pray for strength and patience daily with 2 kids I don't know how the heck they did it with more! Cooking delicious and nutritious me...