Best Day Of My Life So Far at Center in the Park

Inspiring older adults stories from Center In The Park in Philadelphia, PA. Part of The Best Day of My Life So Far storytelling network. Follow us on Facebook (The Best Day of My Life So Far) and Twitter (@bestdaysofar) to see new stories as they are written by our group and groups nationwide! Find out more: www.bestdayofmylifesofar.org or http://www.centerinthepark.org/Contact us: [email protected] or  [email protected]

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Before I die

By Victoria Huggins Peurifoy March 10, 2020

Now, I first want to say, this is not a depressing declaration. I have just been thinking about these things that resonate when I am in reflection mode.

1.  As life appears each day, my thoughts are in an imaginative state of mind. p- e- a - c - e represents quiet, contentment, a good book to read, a walk, a breeze, and a genuine companion to love. 2.   I have never been one for mountain climbing, however, if you gave me a camera with telephoto lenses along with a pen and pad, I would shoot every facet of the snowdrifts and caps, the foggy steam from invisible roads, hidden stream and even catch the sun on an angle to the left of the cliffs and lakes. A pen and pad would be used to scratch a pain that enhances the photographic description

3. There are cities that I have never visited.  I see myself walking on an imaginary red carpet or taking a magic carpet ride. My hotel stays will be in an exquisite luxury suite, that exposes iconic columns that separate the living room from the dining area. There will be a teakwood spiraling staircase. It will lead to a boudoir that is adorned in ornate ivory brocade bedding and drapery. The furniture will be quality oakwood. The kitchen will be modern and fully stocked with all my favorite fruits, vegetables, seafood, and real organic beverages just for my delight.

4. Suddenly, in 2022, when I have turned 70, a book that I wrote that was released in 2013, will hit the bestseller list, because someone affluent read it and called it a treasure. Though everyone who had already read it called it brave, fun, nerve-wracking... In a good way, a great read and exciting, because they knew me and realized I could be deep but now the world knows it too. I have been a blade of Grace in God's eyes, but every day, I have been blessed with many blades of Grace that is now a sprawling pasture for me to lie upon and relish the gloriousness of the Father.

5. I want to take a trip to Spain, maybe off the coast of the Canary Islands to see the underwater museum sculptures by John De’Clares Taylor. I will snorkel for the first time. I want to see the Museo Atlantico, which is part art and part artificial reef. Such fabulous pieces of art have not been seen by me, but I will see it before I die.

6. Long before I am ushered to my heavenly home, I want to see my first child's face, charm, whimsical stories, and the never felt rap of his arms. This will stop penetrating my silent anguish. A stare of endearment, a frontal lobe kiss, a bear hug will be given - - where the release will never be wanted. my smile will never die.  All of these thoughts brought to reality would be the best day of my life so far.  

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Today - on His time

By: Albert W. Dullas © March 7, 2020

The best day of my life so far is today. Today and every day is a good day to be above ground and alive and breathing. For as you see, I am a heart transplant recipient. I've had this heart for almost three years come July 16, 2020 that'll be my anniversary and God is so good. Without him, I cannot and would not do anything. Let me take you back to the beginning of this glorious journey; when I started having heart attacks. I was working then when I had my first one. I took three months to recover, come back to work and found that I could not function or do my job sufficiently and physically, and I did not have the strength. This was in 2012; I left the job and had several more heart attacks. A pacemaker was implanted, and I went into A- fibrillation a lot. The doctor told me my heart was in a bad way with a refraction injection of less than 5%. At this stage, I was dying and I was given an LVAD machine that would basically pump my heart for me. I was on this machine, weak, in a wheelchair, and had zero energy. It was on July 14, 2017, that my cardiologist called me at home and said they had a heart for me. I went into the hospital on Monday through the E.R., medical preparation was done and test, ivy's, lab work, then I was accepted as a patient. It was on Tuesday, July 15, 2017, I was prepped for surgery and taking down for that surgery at Temple hospital. The chief surgeon, Dr. Toyota asked me to count from 100 backward and then I was out. I awakened on Wednesday, July 16, 2017, in the afternoon at about 2:30 pm. Looking for my sister's eyes, I was tearing up and thanking God at the same time. I was attached to all of these machines as tubes tubs are down my throat, but I was alive and here!   After several months of therapy, in-services, getting out of the wheelchair and walking, it is by the grace of God and nothing else that I am here, on His time

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The Person I Admire Most

by Brinda Alexander Feb 25, 2020

The person I admire most is me.

I admire me because of all the things I have done and all the things I have gone through.

I am a survivor and a strong Black woman. I am so proud of myself and what I have accomplished.

Sometimes, I smile at myself. I can multitask. I’m every woman. It’s all in me. Sometimes I surprise myself and I scare myself too.

I am alone but never lonely, for He is with me. Thank you, God, for all You have done for me and because You are still blessing me.    

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Another Day, My Mind Is Blank

by Brinda Alexander Jan 28, 2020

I just can’t think. My mind is a total blank. I need to walk the plank and sink into a nice, hot bubble bath.

My mind just sank into the darkness of outer space. My mind ranks a big fat zero. Don’t let the sunshine fool you:

It’s cold as heck outside. Makes you want to stay inside all day. Makes you want to cover up with a whole lot of blankets or put on your PJ’s with feet in them. (I remember those).

A warm fireplace, some hot chocolate (cocoa), or some hot tea. A big bowl of soup (chicken noodle, my favorite) and a good book or better yet, a good friend to snuggle with. 

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My Masters Degree

by Ernestine Garnett-Banas 2-4-2020

So proud when I got my Master’s degree A full caseload at work, no sympathy Read about theory and practicality Wrote papers of 30, not 2 or 3 Support from spouse and family Dogged determination also helped me More no how to help children No longer front line now admin More money to help friends & family Pleased with myself and what I achieved Higher learning possible for all Heard the voice and accepted the call

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The Other Mother

by Brinda Alexander Jan 14, 2020

      I was blessed with two mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers. Didn’t know much about them, just what my sister told me. I always thought it was just us two, me and my twin sister. We were like two peas in a pod. She used to get us in trouble all the time. When you saw her, you saw me and vice-versa. So, you know it came as a shock to know we were adopted.

      We had more sisters and brothers, another and father. They all live in different places; different parts of the country. My birth mother was young when she had us. I got to meet her a couple of times. She passed away just about two weeks ago. She was 80+ years old. My sister sent me a copy of the obituary. She looks just like my daughter. Rest in Peace, Mom. R.I.P.    

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Heroine (Black) and Woman

by Barbara Garnett 1-7-2020

There is no greater pleasure, than knowing you’re going to get something you want out of life, being the best you can be and nothing else. Helping people is helping one’s self. I could go on and on. I am trying to set a stage in my mind for one of my heroes. Everyone has more than one hero.

           Harriet Tubman was a woman, God placed on this earth to be a Moses, a free spirit that saved many people from slavery. She had helped with the Underground Railroad. She brought many slaves north to freedom.

I could imagine running side by side with Harriet in the woods, trying to cross rivers and water-lands; gun in hand and knife at her side with no fear of using them if needed. No fire from the cold or rain. No food. If caught by the hunters, she would have been killed, injured or beaten; never to return to the South for loved ones. She continued the journey for miles, for days. The North Star was her guide and God was in her heart.

Thank you, God for Harriet and our many Afro-American heroes. We should be proud and never stop telling our children Black History. Harriet never got arrested or caught by those who were in search for her. Damn! She was good.

           Just remember many people worked to make you a free person and you are somebody. Stop drinking and doing drugs. That’s my advice for the young. Think you got a mind, for more than loud music or ball playing.

           The Best Day of My Life was thinking about my Black and White heroes of yesterday. No shame in my heart. Pray for our heroes faithfully, today and all tomorrows.

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Changing Seasons

Angela Wright

I like the change of seasons, but I do not like changing the type of clothing that I must wear.  I like spring and summer when the clothing is lighter in weight more beautiful in color.  The green grass, leaves and beautiful flowers of many different colors.  When fall and winter come I wear darker and heavier clothing and boots, hats and scarves.  This part of the changing of seasons I don’t like, but nature I love.  The changing of the leaves .  The beautiful yellows and oranges with some browns and greens.  Even when the leaves are all gone there is still a kind of beauty.

One of the reasons I enjoyed in Uganda was that there is no change of seasons.  It was great not having to put away clothes for one season and take out for the next season.   Before I can get one season’s clothes straight it is time to put them away again.  Since I don’t want to freeze or burn up my only option is to go along with Mother Nature. 

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Some Call It A Resolution

by Ernestine Garnett-Banas 1/7/2020

Some call it a resolution Pamper yourself without substitution Eating healthy is a worthy goal The new you will be a sight to behold Regular exercise starting now Soon sweat appears on your brow Your goal could be to lose weight Or new friendships to initiate Reconnect with friends from the past Time with family could be a blast Remember take one day at a time Poetry or meditation to help you unwind

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Be There Directly

Brinda Alexander  1/7/2020

“Be there directly.”      

My mom and dad had a love that would last for over 100 years.  They got married in 1933.

My father passed away first, then, my mother passed a year after he died.

They say my mom died of a heart attack but we knew she died of

a broken heart. 

Now that’s true love.

My New Year’s Resolution is not to make a New Year’s Resolution because I never stick to them but if I had to make one it would be to lose weight if I can or not to gain weight and leave those damn peanut butter M&M’s and Chick-o-Sticks, Mounds and Coke a Cola to save money AND to let people know how I feel good or bad.

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My Mind is Blank

by Brinda Alexander  12/17/2019

My mind is blank today. I can’t think of a thing to write about. Maybe it’s me. Maybe it’s the weather. The ladies of Best Day were talking about old sayings.

My mom used to say, “hold your tongue” so me and my sister would hold our tongues and my mom got mad at us for that But we found out what that really means (a secret, don’t tell).

A neighbor used to say, “go scratch you’re a__ with a broken bottle to my father as they used to joke around Now, I know that a__ was a cuss word. We couldn’t even say, “hot diggidy dog” when I was a little girl because that was a bad word.

We had a friend named Mama Too-Tight but my father said “don’t say that no more” but we never knew what that meant till we got older.

My father used to say, “come here and grab your head and shake it.” We used to ask why and he’d say, “I want to see if you have water on the brain.” Now, we know that that was not a good thing but I know my father only meant it as a joke.

“I’m going to beat the Black off you!” “I going to slap the pee out of you!” “I brought you in this world, I’ll take you out!”

“Take your clothes off. I’m not going to beat nothing I paid for!”

“Look at the pot calling the kettle black.”

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Sometimes You Have to Take A Stand

By Lady RuNett – Nov 19th 2019

There were several things taking place in the 1960’s. The Civil Rights movement dominated the news. Many people remembered the Kent State incident that took place in 1970. This event played a significant role toward impacting the public to action. College students all over the U.S., were taking a stand; wanting their voices heard on several issues.

           There were major issues in the news and not so major issues on college campuses. One thing being challenged by the college students was the grading system. Rather than A, B, C, D, E; many wanted the schools to adopt a Pass/Fail policy. Others, including students at Clark, argued against taking final exams. They felt that if a student had been able to maintain a 3.5 or better grade-point average during the entire school year, they should not have to take a final exam that might jeopardize that academic record. They wanted the choice to opt out of the final exam and let the g.p.a. stand as is.

           The year of 1969-70 was a turning point for many college students including me. We heard reports that many attending these institutes of higher learning, were staging sit-ins and taking over administration buildings with their list of demands. My school was no exception and I was right in the midst. We took issue with the grading system, the dress code, the lack of more relevant social activities and the policy for serving meals on Sunday.

           To some, it may have seemed like trivial pursuits but to many of us, it was a time to let our voices be heard. I remember Rev. Dr. M.L. King, Jr., saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll put up with anything.” I took a stand along with my peers and we were successful in making some changes. That was the beginning of my community activism.

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I’m A Senior

by Angela Wright 11-19-2019

I am a senior, this I know for my body tells me so Aches and pains to me belong Head to toe, they hurt so long.

 Yes, Advil® helps me  Yes, Gas-X® helps me  Yes, Ben Gay® helps me  My doctor tells me so. 

I am a senior, that’s my stride on a tour bus I will ride Motels, hotels, let me in I am ready, you say when.

 Yes, aspirin helps me  Yes, Centrum® helps me  Yes, BC® helps me   My doctor tells me so.

I am a senior with gray hair,  wrinkles, age spots everywhere. In retirement, I will spend time with grandkids with a grin. 

  Yes, Clairol® helps me    Yes, fade cream helps me    Yes, Ensure® helps me    My doctor tells me so. 

 I am a senior, aches will stay  bladder weakens every day  I just thank God that I’m here.  When I pray, here’s what He’ll hear.

 Thank you for Depends®  Thank you for my friends  Thank you for my heavenly home  I’ll be there, Lord, you know when.  

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Somewhere Other Than Here

by Brinda Alexander 11-19-19

         I was watching The Wiz over the weekend. The stars were Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.           

           Dorothy (Ross) thought it was greener on the other side. She thought being somewhere else would be better than where she was. She sang the song, Home which always made me cry. 

           This song touched my heart because I had it all and lost it all. So hold on tight to what you have because it could easily be gone in the brink of an eye.

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Today

by Ernestine Garnett-Banas 11-19-19

Things get better over time Longevity makes us less blind Don’t allow yourself to stress Thinking calmly is the redress Learn from your mistakes Forgive yourself, however long it takes Maintain lifelong friendships Share jokes, stories and quips Don’t rush, tell the whole story Tell of hardships and of glory I’ll listen with rapt attention I won’t repeat or even mention Our next encounter greatly anticipated Knowing my want will be satiated

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My First Time Cooking

   by Angela Wright 10/21/2019

The first thing I ever cooked was a pot of rice.  I was eight years old.  I lived in rural South Carolina. At the time we didn’t have a gas or electric stove.  I had to gather wood to start a fire in the wood burning stove.  My grandmother told me that there was a certain number of pieces to use to make the fire hot. You had to be careful not to make the fire too hot.  There were no gauges or ways to control the heat.  

She said when the water with the rice in it began to boil, I should move the pot back to the side of the stove where it wasn’t too hot.  The rice would then would finish cooking.  She showed me how to test the rice to see if it was done.  I was so proud of myself. I had cooked s pot of rice!  After that I was always in the kitchen with my mom or grandmom.

I used to like cooking until four or five years ago.  I do it now because I feel that sometimes my husband and I need a nice hot home cooked meal.

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To Do List for A Best Day

       by Ernestine Garnett-Banas  11/05/2019

The best day of my life so far Drive your dream car

A drink with a close friend at the bar Sit quietly by the stream Ponder life, just day dream Prepare and enjoy your favorite meal A lover’s heart to maintain or steal

Something fresh to pick from the garden Past transgression to forgive and pardon Pick your guitar if you can                                                       Start a duet or a full band

Let the sunshine warm your cheeks A sandy beach for days or weeks