Morning Edition - 8/31/07

T’Was the Night Before Disney
BD has proven he’s the planner in this team. The man has managed to secure tickets, prepare an itinerary, pack (for himself and the Mini) and schedule matching grooming appointments for him and the little one. On the other hand, I have groaned about my cold, rummaged through my dresser drawers and found lint in my belly button; all to say, I’ll be doing the night-before-the-trip twilight packing I seem to do before each of my excursions. Also, I’ve begun letting the scattered, salt-and-pepper bird’s nest I call hair begin to grow in. It’s apparent that I have to stop at the nearest barbershop and get someone to shape-it-up before I head out; otherwise I have to resort to shaving it off again. In light of the fact that I promised to let it grow following my Great-at-38 birthday trip, I better keep to my word and just get cleaned up. To be honest, I’m excited and scared. It’s our first real vacation together and more important, our first vacation as a “family.” BD seems a lot more settled and comfortable with the idea of us traveling as a unit than I do. For me it just feels odd in that I’ve never really been in a relationship that involves a child. Rather than plan one of my bang-up romantic getaways, I find myself planning for us as a threesome. It’s a completely new concept for me and one that I’m not an expert on. Luckily, our accommodations will have a pool, hot tub and PS2 access which should keep the little one busy, but this doesn’t mean that I’m not considering how we will spend this extended “quality” time together. Then there’s the question of sleeping arrangements; the Mini is only eight and will probably be afraid his first night away from home, so I’ve surmised that BD should probably put him to bed first and attempt sneaking in with me afterward. Also on my what-if list is what to do if the little one wakes up frightened at night and wants his daddy. Do I just let him crawl between the two of us to find comfort? Just kidding…but the question of what to do if the kid wakes up at night has crept into my thoughts. I really want to know what BD has up his sleeve. All said, it’s bound to be an amazing trip. My adrenaline is pumped and I’m ready to have a ball with both my boyz. Both BD and I are taking our cameras to capture this moment in our history. Hopefully I can share many of these with my blogger family, but in real celebrity fashion, I’d like to keep the Mini out of the spotlight.

9-4-69; T-Day
My girl Treavor – that’s right, I said girl! – celebrates her birthday this holiday weekend. One month my junior, Ms. T resides in Harlem, USA. We know each other since I was 17 – though she probably doesn’t realize this today. Treav and I met through her brother, one of my oldest friends in the world, blogger’s own J’Moo. Happy birthday girl! For the record, Ben Gazzara is a good actor!

And I Thank You
Many times we don’t take the time to say thank-you to folks who make a difference in our lives. We sure as hell take the time to bad-mouth, gossip and berate everyone who gives us grief, but what about sharing some words of appreciation? Well, once a month, I want to commit to sharing words of appreciation for someone who has a positive impact on my life – whether or not they realize they’ve moved me. The first person I’d like to start this honor scroll with is Alan F. My boy Alan stepped in and offered his crib in Florida without a moment’s hesitation and has done so much since his self-less gift that I am speechless and awe-struck at his ability to give. For the record, he has renewed my belief in friendship. He was never asked to give – he just did. Most of all, he made this historical moment in my life memorable for yet another reason – the beauty of true friendship. Thank you Alan. May God bless you 10-fold for giving and expecting nothing in return. I love you for making my life better.

On Blast
The concept of Pay-It-Forward was widely discussed at the time of the Helen Hunt movie, but the true act of paying-it-forward seems to have lost momentum. To do something unexpected for someone and want nothing in return is the true meaning of giving. It isn’t calculated or an attempt to grandstand.
What have you done/given that falls into the category of paying-it-forward? Has Karma/God/etc. brought the blessing back to you?

Keep passin’ the open windows…

Listening to: Imagine Me; Kirk Franklin