I must admit I’m bias to any Tayari Jones novel. All of her books hit you in the heart and leave you in a puddle of feelings days after finishing the story. Kin is no exception.
The story of two motherless girls that are best friends since birth and take two different paths pulls you into their lives from page one. I rooted for them both to succeed and cheered as they conquered obstacles and setbacks along the way. I didn’t even realize how invested I was in these two fictional characters until the end of the story left me devastated.
I loved everything about this book. Kin, at it’s core, is the story of friendship and realizing that all kin folk isn’t limited to the family you were born into.
This year for our 28th Wedding Anniversary, we did something different. We went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and stayed at the Westgate Smokey Mountain Resort.
And while the views are beautiful, we both learned that we prefer the roar of ocean waters instead of navigating mountain roads.
Here are eight things I learned after being married for twenty-eight years (cause no one has time for a list of twenty-eight things):
It’s possible to love someone in several ways
You will discover new things you didn’t know about your spouse
Laughing with your spouse is the best medicine
Be willing to compromise
It’s okay to go to bed angry. Sometimes you need a moment to cool off
Your spouse should be your biggest cheerleader, but they don’t have to cheer for everything you do
Working toward a common goal makes the journey easier
Falling in love may happen by chance, but staying in love is a choice
Let’s hear from you. What are some things you’ve learned about marriage?
Here in the South, we don’t get much snow. In fact, it rarely snows here in winter. That’s why Friday night it was exciting to witness flakes fall from the sky.
Sure, it was gone by mid-day on Saturday but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
It was a perfect day to nestle in on the couch with a blanket and a good book. What’s your favorite activity to do on a snow day?
I was upstairs writing when the call came. My daughter’s Face timed me with the news. Kobe Bryant was dead. I told them to stop playing.
I’ve been a Lakers fan since Dad sat me down beside him on the couch to watch the Showtime Lakers. Magic, Kareem, James Worthy, AC Green, Bryon Scott. I fell in love with their style. I’ve always loved basketball (my jumper was nice) and the LA Lakers became MY team.
Even through the down years, I rooted for them. Then we traded for Shaq. And drafted a young kid named Kobe Bean Bryant. The Lakers were back, baby.
And I got to watch a young boy grow into a man. His work ethic was nuts. You had to admire the tenacity. The arrogance to believe he would emerge as THE best basketball player. And he did it. He won at the highest level. It was inspiring. It made you want to work hard on your own chosen craft. Kobe made it possible to believe that a strong will and consistency would reap rewards. I didn’t want to be like Mike. I wanted to be like Kobe. #MambaMentality
He wasn’t perfect. There are some that may condemn him forever but I saw the growth, the maturity. And I’m no one’s judge and jury. I didn’t know him personally, of course, but from what I could see he was a wonderful father. He seemed to be happily married. He loved to teach the next generation of ballplayers. Especially girls. #GirlDad
I was looking forward to his new path. A more creative path. He wrote a series of children’s books. He won an Oscar for Best Animated Short for his poem, Dear Basketball. In winning that award, he showed he was more than an athlete. It’s depressing to think of all the work he was still planning to do and know it’s not going to happen. Kobe was only 41 years old. The world was robbed of his gifts.
So, to Kobe, his daughter Gianna, Sarah & Payton Chester, Alyssa, Keri & John Altobelli, Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan, rest in peace. You will be missed but remembered forever!
This print was created by Matt Sanoian of Sanoian Designs. If you would like to purchase it, please go to www.sanoiandesigns.com/buy
All proceeds will be donated to the MambaOnThree.org
There are certain things that can be expected this time of year. Football, turkey dinners, family get-togethers, Black Friday sales followed by Cyber Monday sales. And a bombardment of “thankful” lists.
These lists are from various people bragging about how great their lives are and we should all applaud them for recognizing it. I have resisted the urge to add to this phenomenon but I couldn’t think of anything else to blog about so here goes.
Things I am “thankful” for (in no particular order):
My family (Okay, if you don’t put that first people will talk about you.)
To be gainfully employed (I need money to pay bills, buy scratch-off lotto tickets so I can stop working, buy food and books. Lots of books. So many books.)
Google (What did we do before it was so easy to look up random facts like “How much money does an NFL practice squad player make?” Seriously, as a writer I love Google. It saves time on research. I mean, what did people do before when they wanted to know something? Actually talk to people? The horror.)
Friends that get me and love me unconditionally. (Thank you for the material. Oh, you didn’t realize that I’ve based a character in my book from your adventures? Pay no attention to this list.)
Therapy. I found an excellent therapist this year. What? You think I don’t have to work on being this normal.
That my Lakers are finally a good team again. I was still rooting for them but it was hard to watch.
Music – I love music. The ’80s and ’90s were the golden eras. Fight me!
How to Get Away With Murder. I can’t wait for the final six episodes! Although making us wait until April is cruel. And unnecessary.
And the big one, health. (You can’t put a price on good health.)
These things can go on and on but I’ll stop there.
This Thanksgiving season, what are you thankful for?
One of my favorite childhood memories is gathering with the other neighborhood kids and watching the fireworks show one of the Dad’s would put on every year. Lighting sparklers was a major deal for a six year old me.
What are some of your 4th of July childhood memories?
Now that I’ve turned 50 years old, there are certain things I know for sure. The list stops at ten things because nobody has time to read a list of 50 things.
You’re never too old to follow your dreams.
Body parts can predict the weather.
Go to therapy. Mental health is as important as physical health.
Don’t start none, won’t be none.
Take pictures. You can never have enough pictures of your loved ones.
Buy in bulk. Warehouse stores are a blessing.
Do the thing that scares you. Step out of your comfort zone.
Travel outside of your city, state or country. The world is full of treasures and you need to experience a world view that is different than yours.
I can no longer “squat” in public restrooms. I’m officially a “double liner”. My knees thank me.
The series finale of Games of Thrones was trash!
So, tell me dear reader. What are some things you know for sure?
25 years ago today, I married my best friend. He still makes me smile and has taken me on adventures around the world. Through the highs and lows of life, I’m glad I have him to share it with.
