Another Blessed Year!!!

Another blessed year, add it up it’s 3 decades and a little change;

The more life I live, the more it gets strange.

Last year we blew out the candles (Blow Out the Candles), started a new chapter;

But it’s funny how life can be, it’ll bring you joy and disaster.

Started my mission to conquer the world, be the best I could be;

Little did I know that God had another plan destined for me.

Long story short, in the blink of an eye, I lost my purpose and my heart;

Everything that I thought I knew, all I thought I had, fell apart.

I lost unconditional love, a friend always, a prayer warrior, my life-line; 

How do you bounce back, turn back the clock, rewind?

Can’t be replaced, no substitute, a loss supreme; 

And if you don’t know who or what I’m referring to… I’m speaking of my sister, the QUEEN!

She’s my angel now, watching over me and spreading her wings;

Protecting her family and friends from all harm and unpleasant things.

She accomplished her earthly goal, earned her place above;

Taught us all what it truly means to love.

From Melissa I learned that life is what you make of it and the lives you touch;

It’s the moments that you should cherish and mean so much.

This year it’s about the lives I can change, the difference I can make;

 May not be able to do it all, but if I can change one life, that chance I’ll take.

Only know how to do it one way, all or nothing;

So I will bear my soul hoping not to fall, that it’ll turn into something.

Somewhat lost right now, a bit confused, and displaced;

Still trying to understand God’s purpose for my life and trying to run His pace.

Things I thought were true, my hopes, dreams, and desires;

They perished, placed in a tomb, burned in the fire.

In 12 months, lost love and a love, lost purpose and clarity, lost the reason and the answer;

But as someone told me, bigger, better, and brighter lies in the pasture.

So I fight on, pray harder, and give Moore; 

God’s forged a king, a savior, a captain, and my destiny I shall explore.

This too shall pass and by God’s grace and mercy, I’ll be made stronger, wiser;

The sky’s the limit and my angel is pulling me higher.

My aspirations are still out of this world, lofty, grand;

Only difference now is it’s being guided now with Heavenly hands.

Still setting the world on fire, the kind that burns deep and caresses your soul;

Going to take every chance I get to share, give, and mold.

Mold boys into men, girls into women;

Then take all above and show them it’s kool to be a Christian.

M.A.M. , My Angel Memories, is what she is and always shall be;

The example she left behind is the foundation, the trunk of the tree.

Like one of those great oaks in City Park shading you from the sun,

I promise her legacy will continue on, this book isn’t done.

The torch is lit, the purpose restored;

We, U and Me, it’s time to get on board.

As my heart continues to mend and my spirit gains strength;

I know I’m walking God’s race and this is what He meant.

Tell Him your plans and listen to Him laugh;

But follow His will and watch the Red Sea part so you can pass.

3 decades and a little change;

The Moore I see, the Moore it rearrange.

Found some new tools, gained a new perspective; 

Best believe I’m on a mission not for my sake, but God’s objective.

Much still to achieve, mountains yet to be conquered, still on a mission to save the souls of men;

Putting one foot in front the other relying on faith, family, and friend.

As I get ready to blow out the candles, fighting back a tear,

I pray to myself, “Thank you God for blessing me with one more year.”

Past, Present, Future

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” ~ Author Unknown

Heard a topic recently about “Recalculating Your Route” and it began me to think about what happens when history spoils the gift and ruins the mystery?  As creatures of habit and self-preservation, our first instinct is to gravitate to what is comfortable and protect ourselves at all costs, and in doing so, we may miss out on the most important and beautiful things in life.

So often we rely on what we have experienced and although it is wise to learn from our past, we forget to enjoy the “present” when we allow those lessons to stifle our future.  Pain is a great equalizer and reminder of what to do and not to do, but it can also be a paralyses.  It can leave you stuck in a rut and life passing you by, especially when it comes to relationships and love.

Living in the present is hard when the past keeps knocking on the door, figuratively and literally.  How can you move forward if you continue to allow the past to invade the present?  The past affords knowledge and experience, builds and solidifies, provides clarity and understanding, and should be acknowledged and reflected upon.  However, the past is not the place to dwell in and should not be used as a crutch.  If anything, the past should give us a better appreciation of what we want and what we have and more importantly, how to maintain and build something lasting.  But when we dwell in the past, allow it to continue to intrude in our lives, our relationships, our thoughts, our behavior, it becomes debilitating.

The present, the gift, is the most rewarding thing God gives us.  Each day is a new day to cherish where we are in life and what we have.  It provides another opportunity to seek our heart’s desires, experience new adventures, and reach new heights in life.  Living in the moment may sound cliché, but try it.  Consciously take full advantage of the here and now, appreciate where you are in life.  Stop using your past to spoil your present, hinder your future.  Furthermore, we can’t fault or hold others accountable for those from the past.  It isn’t fair to them or you and so often we want to judge our present based on our past and the two are not the same.  You’ll never reach your destination if you keep going in reverse.  It’s impossible.   You’ll never achieve your goals, attain the love you are seeking, if you continue to retreat and revert to what once was.  He or she isn’t him or her and hopefully you aren’t the same either.  The dynamics have changed, the lessons learned, and instead of reading the old chapters, it’s time to write a new book.

The future is the place to strive towards.  It’s that uncertainty that excites, entices, and gives us hope for a brighter tomorrow.  Living in the present is grand, but the idea of the future is euphoric.  Working towards what we seek and desire for our lives, using our past as the tools to achieve it, and our present as a springboard, makes the future that more appealing.

The past is a memory, the present is reality, and the future is a dream.  Trust your memories, it did happen, but memories are mere reminders of what we overcame and triumph through.  Our reality is what we make and how we shape our lives.  Dream often and continue to strive for those dreams.  Work everyday to make your dreams your reality and your memories pale in comparison to that reality.

How has your past affected your present and future?  Is your present reflective of your dreams?  Remember, this isn’t just about U or just about Me, but all about We. The only way We grow is if We share, learn from, help, and support each other. Come back soon as we take this journey together and stay tuned as U, Me, and We will be coming to the airwaves!  

Peace and Love,

BlakkDiamond

M.A.M. - My Angel Memories

Born January 11, 1979, sugar and spice and everything nice,

Her parents looked at each other, smiled proudly, and thought to themselves, perfection done twice;

Jennifer, her doting Mother, and Larry, her exuberant Father, couldn't wait to spoil their princess,

There she was, the epitome of love, the purpose and reason for their existence;

Given a name that commanded respect from day one,

Melissa Anne Moore, M.A.M., ma’am, her legacy begun;

Taking the world by storm, she began her plight,

Starting the moment she came home, she looked at her brother and he could see her light;

A light beaming and glowing, a mystifying, powerful presence,

Something about her was different, she possessed God’s essence;

1^st stop, St. Leo the Great,

Quickly amassing the skills of a scholar by grade 8;

Off to St. Mary’s, where she spread her wings and was challenged a little more,

But what was a challenge to some, was an opportunity to explore;

Explore the depths of her knowledge, the strength of her character,

Another opportunity to excel in life and take time to figure out what truly mattered;

After mastering those plateaus it was off to greater heights,

Awarded a full scholarship, she attended Dillard University with her goals in sight;

Four years she thought, I can do this, a little hard work, dedication, even when life gets rowdy,

She did it so well, she walked away, magna cum laude;

In the meantime she found a kinship, a sisterhood, and it was more than just parties,

She was now a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority;

All of that was wonderful and good,

But she knew she had a higher calling, and on God’s word she stood;

She found a church that could nurture her and bring her closer to her Heavenly Father,

It was The Bridge that helped carry her over troubled waters;

A music lover at heart, she thought, the choir is the ministry for me,

Signed up quickly and began singing her heart out for all to hear and see;

Living her life’s purpose and fulfilling God’s plan,

She began to minister to others, saving souls man-by-man;

Where ever she went, no matter who she touched,

Her spirit shown bright and you were left with so much;

Albeit her family she cherished or the friends she adored,

Even strangers were left off that much better after meeting Ms. Moore;

Moore than a conqueror through Jesus’ love,

Moore than the deepest seas or the skies above;

Moore than silver and gold or any precious gem,

Moore than you wildest imagination or the deepest thoughts within;

Forget it, she is just a MOORE, M.O.O.R.E.,

A depiction of Jesus, His love, a symbol of you and me;

A Proverbs 31 woman, no trial or tribulation could do her harm,

Only her praise and worship exceeded her elegance and charm;

Her smile captivating, her beauty unsurpassed, a warmth, something serene,

She had grown from a princess to a Queen;

And as her journey continued and lives were transformed,

God smiled, and said to Himself, well done my baby, time to come home;

And there it was, on January 18, 2011,

The gates opened up and welcomed another angel into Heaven;

Just like that her earthly mission was done and complete,

No more pain or worry, time to sit a Jesus’ feet;

She will be missed, but her legacy will live forever,

Touched so many, made so many lives better;

She is Daddy's baby and Mama's gurl,

A glimmer of hope, a beacon for the world;

So we gon dance for jubilee all,

Take it from the street corners to the church halls;

U get ‘em ready in Heaven

I'll get 'em ready on earth,

Get Ready, Get ready , Get Ready, Ready

Get Ready for the baddest woman to ever graduate from St. Leo, St. Mary, & Dillard,

Reppin' New Orleans, the black & gold, to the finish;

Baby I hear you yellin’ Who Dat as you and the rest of the Saints go marching in,

You fought the good fight, the victory you did win;

Heaven open your doors and welcome home my angel, my sister

Lord knows I wish I could have her back, how I miss her;

But one thing is for sure, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,

And I know when my day comes, when my time is done, you’ll be the one greeting me at Heaven’s doors;

We’ll be together again, but in the meantime here’s our song,

I’ll just listen to it over and over imagining holding you in my arms;

I miss you my baby and your brother will always love you and miss our fun,

But no matter the circumstance, WE WILL ALWAYS BE ONE!

                                                                © BlakkDiamond

~ singing~

(We are one)

(We are one) our love will see us through

(We are one) and that’s the way it is

(We are one) Ohhh…

(We are one) right from the very start, WE!

(We are one) deep down in your heart

(We are one) and that’s the way it is

(We are one) Ohhh…