Tag Archives: #GoneTooSoon

Schoolin' Life

Early Father’s Day Tribute to My Daddy

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As a kid, I used to get so mad at my dad for the shyt he made me shovel (literally).  Those were the 100 degree days of shoveling dog crap for lawn customers or the even hotter days he had me (and rod) throwing shingles off the top of a house when he had to do roofing jobs (that was the summer I was nicknamed Tar Baby).  One of my aunts recently said, she used to feel so bad for me because he worked me like a boy.  And he did… all before the age of 13.

Today I’m thankful for all the hard work and, the unforeseen lessons I learned along the way.  I ran out for lunch today to pick up a to go order, got back in my SUV and it wouldn’t start.  I just knew it wasn’t the battery since I recently purchased it but there was no power to my vehicle.  I sat there thinking to call my coworker, next I thought, let me call AAA then go sit down in the AC and eat my lunch. Then my survival skills kicked in and I popped the hood to see what the heck was going on.  That’s when I noticed the cable off my battery.  It was a simple fix but one a lot of women don’t think to check.

During my transition to “trying” to become a responsible adult, I didn’t have money for simple car repairs. I remember daddy first teaching me how to change a flat tire.  I brag on being able to change a tire in less than 10 minutes.  Then there was the time my car was misfiring and he talked me through changing the spark plugs and wires.  He was no Ward Cleaver or Heathcliff Huxtable but WHO IS?! lol  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of him.  Happy Father’s Day, Daddy.  You were amazing in your own special way.  Love Your #1

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Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

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When you hear that someone has died, the first thing you think about is their family.  But, when the community is as small as the one that I grew up in,  Darien, Ga., you are all family. Hearing that Mel died, the first person I thought about was my sister. The last thing I wanted her to do was log onto FB during a time when fb can be so disrespectful (by ppl posting RIP’s before the family and close friends are notified) and read that someone she loved  (loved like a sister) has passed away.

My sister was out celebrating her birthday and my fear was, at some point she would log on fb and read about it. So the toughest decision for me was telling… How do I let her know this?  I finally spoke with her asking her, realizing she called me earlier in the day, I asked why did she call, that’s when she shared the news that she already knew. And like so many of those that was closest to Mel, my sister had been praying and crying and praying for the last couple of days.

When someone you know dies, it’s natural to think of your last memory with them. Fortunately for me, mine was being “down in Bellville” with Mel, and family, as they celebrated the life of her dad. Although a sad occasion, death brings so many people together. I feel blessed to have a happy image of her being surrounded by so many people that she loved. And again, I feel blessed to be from a community where we are all family, and “come together” when needed the most.

Rest In Peace Alexandria “Mel” Riley, you will be missed

#GoneTooSoon

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