Wordless Wednesday: In honor of Memorial Day

 

Memorial Day

Today is unofficially seen as the start of Summer.
It is Memorial Day. I like to take today to think
of all those brave men and women that fought and
died for to keep our country safe. I especially want
to honor all the Black soldiers and soldiers of
color who fought for freedom under the yoke of racism
that still plagues us today.



These virtual candles are in memorial for those whose
names and heroism has been forgotten. I remember.

Remembrance

The Voice and The Princess

When I was a sophomore in college, rooming with my one of my best friends at the time, she complained could I stop playing Faith by George Michael. I endlessly played the tape of it. I told her it was his only album. Since Prince had many more albums than him, she had more to choose from.


So she suffered. I happily played George finding solace in Father Figure and Faith, dancing to I want your Sex and Monkey, feeling wistful through One More Try and crying with Kissing A Fool over the heartache of my first real boyfriend. Then one of my pen pals gifted me with a tape of Wham's greatest hits. So I had two tapes to play.



George was gorgeous. That wonderful British accent. It was and still is his voice I loved. That soulful voice that touched my heart. I was blessed to see him twice in concert: The Faith Tour and the Cover to Cover. One of my favorite moments when he played Play that Funky Music white boy, the crowd including me went nuts.





I followed George from album to album. When he came out as gay,I didn't care. He was still my George. I loved him.



From Freedom to Heal the Pain to Waiting for that Day to Older to Fast Love to Calling to you to Freak to Amazing to Secret Love. That is just a fraction of his songs. To his amazing covers and collaborations, I could be here all day talking.


What haunted me the most is song White Light from his last CD. It talks about when he was near death from pneumonia a few years ago. I played that song on the night I heard of his death.

One more pill just one more beer
One less star in the atmosphere for us
But maybe she just wanted to be free
Heartless pictures on TV
Change that channel that could have been me I said
Maybe she just wanted to be free

So I just kept breathing my friends
Waiting for the man to choose
Saying this ain't the day that it ends
'Cause there's no white light and I'm not through
I'm alive I'm alive...
And I've got so much more that I want to do with the music
Was it music that saved me?
Or the way that you prayed for me?
Guess either way, I thank you I'm alive

I know George struggled with drugs; grief over losing his mother and a great love. At 53, it seems to me to young to go. So many years and music that is him in.


Like the lyric said Maybe he wanted to be Free. Though, it hurts to know he is gone. His music, videos and interviews are still here.All I can say is I love you, George.

George leaving was bad enough, oh no, 2016 keeps taking amazing artists. The sad news today that Carrie Fisher died. Sigh. If you spent anytime on my blog, you know like I am a life long devoted Star Wars fan. I was 8 in 1977. For me, Luke, Leia, Han, Vader, Chewie, Artoo and Threepio, Obi Wan are like family to me. As the series continued, my extended movie family grew.


Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia was the pretty kick-ass Princess who didn't take crap from anyone. At 8, she reminded me of my mom. Leia spoke her mind and didn't need to be rescued. She can save her own self, thank you very much.



At 19, Carrie Fisher was able to radiate strength, beauty and regalness. That is hard for an actor to do let alone all three. Carrie just had that naturally.



I always liked seeing her on screen, beyond Star Wars, because I knew she always be witty and bring edge to whatever character she played. Carrie had a successful career as a novelist and script doctor for Hollywood movies in the late 80's and 90's.


Carrie struggled like George with drugs. She said finally being diagnosed as bipolar helped her understand herself better. She became an advocate for mental health. Reminding people that there is no shame in getting help for your mental issues. Carrie leaves behind her daughter, Billie Lourd, who is an actress, her brother, Todd and her two half sisters, Joely and Tricia Fisher.



Unfortunately, at my reediting of this post, her mother, an legend in her own right, Debbie Reynolds passed away a day after Carrie.



I will have to do a post solely devoted to Debbie.



Carrie and George leave behind a legion of fans from Music and Film.
I wish I had been able to meet them in person. I feel I know them both through their works. I will miss them. Each one left indelible marks on my life in the best of ways. All I can say is Thank you, Carrie and George.

Memorial: 15 years later...

Prince and The Full Moon

Happy Full Moon Friday, my friends. The Full Moon swam into our energy early this morning after midnight. That deep scorpio energy is swirling around us today. It is fitting that we have deep intense passionate Scorpio energy today as we mourn the passing of Prince.

I was a teenager at the height of Purple Rain. I didn't really get into Prince until much later. When I was a sophomore at Howard University, my bestie at the time, who was a deep Prince Fan took me to see his in Concert when he came to DC. I can tell you seeing him in person was electrifying!

There are so many great songs for me: 17 days, Mountains, Kiss, Seven, Take me with U, Anotherloverholeinyohead, Scandalous, The Arms of Orion, My name is Prince, 7, The Morning Papers....I'm going to stop right here.

If I keep writing, it's going to make me sad. I have solace because I know the music will live on. Just like I found Jimi Hendrix, decades after his death. There will be generations after that will find Prince's music.

Prince had a strong spiritual belief that ran through his music. I know he is in a beautiful place right now. I Know he want us to celebrate his life and listen to the music. To remember he's not gone, his music is still here for all of us.

Remember, the energy of the Full Moon will last for another day. So enjoy the moon's energy. Think and feel all the people who have touched your life in a positive way. Say thank you to that person(s) or if they are in spirit, say thank you anyway. I feel they can hear you. Know that we are born for a reason, part of that is to love and inspire each other.


Someone tweeted this video out then I found a longer version. Enjoy. This will make you smile.

For Alan...

I love twitter. I hate to wake up to read on my twitter feed someone I really like pass away. We had a lot of famous deaths since 2016 began with Natalie Cole, David Bowie and now, Alan Rickman.



I remember going to see Die Hard and watching Alan Rickman play the villain. I had no idea who he was. I just knew he was amazing to watch on screen. After that, he made his name well known to many movie fans with Robin Hood, The Harry Potter Movies, Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually to name a few.


I can't really put into words what it was about him I liked. Perhaps it partly that incredible voice, that presence he just radiated on screen or that he could play villain, hero, romantic lead all convincingly.

Two of my favorite performances for me of Alan is from Galaxy Quest, which is a hilarious movie, and the telefilm Song of Lunch starring one of his favorite co-stars and friend, Emma Thompson.

I'm sure there are people who can talk more eloquently about Alan Rickman than I. I felt like I had to have this Friday post in honor of him. Sweet Travels, Alan. You will be greatly missed. Thank Goodness we all have this great work he left for us to watch.



I leave you with two videos of Alan reading using that gorgeous voice of his. The first one is Sonnet 130 by Shakespeare and the second a reading from Marcel Proust. Enjoy. Have a great weekend, my friends.

Love is Eternal....

This is for my friend who is gone, but never forgotten. I will always miss you....

Memorial day

Hello, my friends. Here in the USA, we are in the midst of a three day weekend in honor of Memorial Day. I like to take this opportunity to remember all those soldiers, men and women, of all races who have fallen in battle.



Whatever celebrations you do, take time today to say a prayer for those soldiers who have passed over. Light a candle for them and simply say thank you.

I Remember...

I remember
and always will...

Remembering....

I remember all those who families were affected on this day and continue to be...
May all those who lost mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, cousins, aunts, uncles, fiances, and friends know you are not alone...

For Robin

My friend, Neo, and I went to amazing supportive group called the Shakespeare Forum here in NYC on Tuesday. It is place where actors can share their Shakespeare monologues and scene work. As we walked in the rain crossing Broadway, we talked about Robin Williams. How his death was heartbreaking for us as fellow actors and growing up with Robin way back from Mork and Mindy. We both wondered if the artistic director would mention his death. He did in a gentle and beautiful way.

I could go on how I always admired Robin's intuitive acting style with his comedy and drama. Or that I related with Robin as a only child he created imaginary worlds to stave off loneliness, something I totally get. His long friendship with my beloved, Christopher Reeve, that at the point when Chris thought of suicide himself, Robin came dressed as his doctor making him laugh and reminded Chris how important life is. Robin raised money for charities and used his fame for good causes.

I wish that in those final dark moments before he decided to step of the stage of life, that the love of his family, friends, fans and faith could of pushed away the darkness so he could of lived to have seen the sunrise on August 12th. Sometimes you don't have to push through to get to the next day, sometimes you just need to get through to the next thirty minutes or hour. To find the energy to reach out for help. Depression is a dark place. Some of us, sadly, don't make it out alive.

Thank you Robin for the laughter and drama. How you inspired us and made us laugh. You are an original. There will be no other like you. Thank you. Thank you. I hope now you are at peace, sweet Robin. You will be missed deeply.

Time away...

Hi, My friends. One of my aunts passed away on Saturday. I knew she was going to die soon, I had prepared myself for it. Still, I feel unsettled and sad. I'm going to take a few days away.

I'll be back soon.

A Precious Ruby

I've been sitting here trying to write what I feel about Ruby Dee. I can't put it into sentences like I want to. I'll say this: regal, passionate, creative, dynamic. Ruby Dee didn't just act, she breathed life into a role.



Truly a Queen of her craft. I can feel her right now next to me smiling. saying to me "I'm all that?" Yes you are, Ruby Dee.



Thank you for all those years of acting, writing and activism. Now, you are reunited with your beloved Ossie.


One of my favorite performances by Ruby Dee is as Zora Neale Hurston in my name is Zora.

Goodbye Miss Maya

Dr. Maya Angelou for so many people, including me, was a living fount of wisdom. I adore this picture of a young and vibrant Maya. Even as she grew older, this Maya lived on through her poetry and books. I can hear Maya , through this picture, reminding me : " The first time people show you who they are, believe them." This is so true!

One of my favorite crative works by Dr. Angelou is the movie Down in The Delta (1998) she directed starring Alfre Woodward and Wesley Snipes. If you have never seen it, see if you can find it. It is a good life affirming movie.

Thank you Maya for all the beauty, poetry, wisdom and love you shared with all of us. You have left us all a great legacy.

5 years...

There was a boy with sea green eyes and a loving heart.
Him and I dreamed of many things we would do.
I never dreamed, nor could he, that he leave so soon.
I remember him, as long as I have breathe, a part
of him remains with me
Death may appear to win, but love is eternal...

White Shores

I was really shaken up over the weekend with the unexpected death of Paul Walker. I'm not sure why. I only saw two of the Fast and the Furious series. He did play the bad guy in one of my favorite 90's films: She's All That. Something about his passing touched me. Maybe because he was only 40, the way he passed or that he left a daughter behind. It made me think deeply about living for the day. You can prepare for tomorrow; also, you have to savor the day, the moment right now.



Now, the grand old statesman, Nelson Mandela, died today at 95. He lived a long life. Used his own fight for freedom, dignity and human rights to inspire not only people in South Africa, but the whole world. Though he was sick for a while, his passing wasn't a shock, still his death leaves me pondering too.

Death comes for us all in time. On a misty Friday as I write this, I feel the weight of those who have passed. I don't fear death as I use to because I know I have loved ones waiting for me when my time comes. Still, sometimes I wonder about those who leave us.

I like to think right now as Nelson Mandela is being reunited with his loved ones on the other side. Paul Walker is standing there with a respectful nod to Nelson Mandela. Welcoming him home. Saying it's amazing here.Still, I miss those who are back with the living. And Mandela smiles and responds we will see them all here someday.

Someday.

I'm reminded of what Gandalf says to Pippin in Lord of The Rings.

“PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way.

GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.

PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?

GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.

PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad.

GANDALF: No. No, it isn't.”

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Remember live, my friends.