Not my food any more
it was before, only Mama
could make it just right.
The secret she would say
was “in the crust.”
The buttery, flaky
forked, pinched
around the pan
delight, full of

Strange men, strange women in your ear
Speaking prophesies over your life and
They’ve known you less than one year.

They say, it’s from the Most High
and your time has come nigh.
Don’t let it match a vision in your spirit
something to be confirmed once you hear it.
Ever wonder is it a Word

Is there a real righteousness seeking,
right now sistah in the house?
One who loves the Lord
with all her heart, soul and might;
desires to serve Him and His people
for the rest of her life?

My silent, meditative, blessed birthday was spent in the healing waters of Jordan on the 4th of July, both in the Dead Sea, salt and fresh water pools. It was just what the doctor ordered: a time to reflect, revisit journals and release more of Spoetry in Motion. I am so grateful to be “all the way live at 55” and counting it all Joy!

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive. ~Eleanora Duse

My Vision Collage!

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another. – Walter Elliott

Prior to the 8th cycle lab work, I took a moment to reflect on how far God has brought me. By His Grace, I was able to persist, prosper and experience the Peace of His Presence in an unprecedented way. For this, I am truly grateful and blessed.

On the night before the 8th cycle of chemo, I did a half-moon lit night mindful walking meditation in the park with the #9 art sculpture in front of my house. It was a beautiful, gentle breezy evening, and a perfect place to walk in gratitude for having come thus far by faith.

“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” – Colin Powell

This 7th cycle of healing has been marked by quite a Sankofa journey — looking back while moving forward, trying to understand how I sourced my own emotional pain as well as the early wounds that fueled self-sabotaging behaviors, both in my relationships and… dare i say, food.

I was in the kitchen today with my Kenyan Sisters, who taught me about the tools needed in an African kitchen, and how to prepare egg plant, cauliflower with curry and turmeric and a Chinese potato dish. I thought of Granny; she would have loved to be with us, and I felt that she was in Spirit. Edna Lewis reminds me a lot of Granny and Mama who were also “In Pursuit of Flavor”.

Everything I need is in my house to be comfortable, nourished and focused on healing. Yesterday I felt tired and sad, and thought how nice it would have been to have a hug from someone I often think about, yet is not available, and then God sent His Angels — with three hugs!!!

I love the way God shows up in others.

Here’s to a fabulous and flavorful life, right now!

In psycho-oncology literature, left breast cancer is correlated with unresolved grief and loss issues, as well as deep sorrow. So much of my professional life has been consumed with listening to very toxic and sad stories. As psychologists we are trained to wear raincoats of sorts in order not to get drenched by the down pour, and then we are able to help our clients eventually re-frame the rain, perhaps even find a way to dance in it or savor the sweet aroma that settles in the atmosphere afterwards.

“With ambiguous loss, there is no closure; the challenge is to learn how to live with the ambiguity.”–Pauline Boss

Ever wonder why some people just stop reaching out to you? There is no warning, no stated reason no closure, they just stop responding to your attempts to connect. It is easy to feel a little defeated (for just a little while!) in the interpersonal arena when this happens, however it is imperative not to become bitter but better because of such experiences that try your patience, produce more faith and polish your character.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

“May God himself, the God of peace sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless… The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”