THANKSGIVING 2021: I HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

Thanksgiving or being Happy to Give Thanks,  or maintaining an Attitude of Gratitude, is a time when we step back and honor God, The Living Spirit Almighty, for all that He has done for us, in us, as us, through us, and through each other, over the year.  And though I say GOD, others may say Yahweh, Allah, Buddha, Shakamuni, or any other name we hold for the Most High God.  Surely, by now we know and recognize that we didn't get here on this planet under our own steam.  We all had to come through someone to get here (also known as the Great Chain of Being), and none of us would be here on this planet, had it not been for GOD, the First Cause. Our very breath is because He first provided it for us.

I AM SO HAPPY TO GIVE THANKS FOR ALL OF THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE! STAY BLESSED & ECLECTICALLY BLACK - GLORIA

So whether we're millionaires, or currently financially embarrassed; whether we're highly successful, or still have out foot on the bottom rung of the ladder; whether we're Black, white, red, blue, green or yellow; African, African American, African Caribbean, African South American, African European or African Asian - we have much to be grateful for - apart from the tradition as it's practiced here in the US. And it's about time we began putting it into effect.

Whether you roast a turkey, or if you're rolling out the traditional collard greens and mountains of macaroni and cheese,;or if you just sit down to the so-called vegan tofurky, it's not about that.   Yes the food is delicious, and we spend hours preparing it with love, and It's delicious, fun and wonderful to share - it's so much more than that.

For us, it's about being grateful for making us the most talented, resilient, creative, loving, intelligent, courageous, people on the planet. 

It's about gratitude for making it through in spite of - and because  - of the trials and tribulations we have faced and withstood despite the efforts of the meanstream media, and those who are hostile to us. 

It's about coming closer and closer together and learning more about ourselves and each other.

It's about gratitude for the love we share amongst us, even when we're furious with each other for not being 100% of who we can and should be.

It's about gratitude for the powerful DNA, that is not easily broken or destroyed or altered.  We are awesome people.  And we've created some awesome offspring, who now have offspring of their own and carry forth all that we have taught and will teach them.

When you sit around the table today, take time to hold hands, look around at each one of your loved ones and say GOD BLESS BLACK PEOPLE!   Thank you God for having chosen me to be one of them.  And look at those beautiful faces around the table, reflecting every hue and flavor of chocolate to caramel to vanilla - all making up who we are and Give Thanks that we're moving forward.

 

November is also now designated as "Native American Heritage Month," and for those of us who have ancestors that are part of the realm of the ORIGINAL Americans - including yours truly - I express my gratitude for my Maternal Grandmothers, and all those who fought, and continue to fight valiantly for their culture and way of life.  

 

Give Thanks that our Ancestor/Angels have paved the way for us and are watching over us, guiding, guarding, directing and protecting us as we pick up the baton and carry their mission forward.  

Give Thanks for each and every one of us - whether you know them or not on a personal level - and while you're giving thanks pray for a hedge of protection around us; for due season prosperity, and love, honor, happiness, health and wealth for each and every Black person on this Day of Gratitude.  

Over the past year, I've had some major health challenges that could have taken me off the planet - and culminated in my being rushed to the emergency hospital by the EMS.  I am eternally GRATEFUL to GOD THE LIVING SPIRIT ALMIGHTY for the ambulance drivers, the doctors, nurses, technicians, hospital, MYIAH, and for my friends and relatives and the many prayers that went out in my behalf.  I'm not totally out of the woods - so I'm Grateful for your continued prayers.  And I'm happy to pray for all my friends who find themselves facing challenges as well.  We all need each other to make our lives worthwhile.

So I'm Happy to Give Thanks for each and every one of you, known and unknown ... 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY OF GRATITUDE - FOCUS ON YOUR BLESSINGS AND THE FACT THAT YOU, YOURSELF, ARE A BLESSING AS WELL!!!

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

  

  

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Eternally Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

 

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM RUBY LOVE - 91 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG

 By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM RUBY LOVE!!! 
My mother used to say that a woman who will tell her age will tell anything - but now that she's 91 Years Old - still standing, still active, still beautiful, still in her own home, still cooking, still styling, she brags on it!!!

 And we're so happy and proud of her. 

There is much love in the Dulan Family for my Mom. 

My Grandmother - a Hornbeak, was a full blooded Cherokee beauty who married my Granddad, a Black Cowboy, Farmer, and Fine Black Man - named her Ruby Love  for her favorite piece of jewelry, and because she came out such a deep dark red when she was born; and later when she became  a lovely little chocolate drop all her older siblings talked of how much they loved her.  And it's a fitting name for her.  {NOTE: My Grandmom loved jewelry and had a trunk full - turqouise, rubies, garnets, amythests, tiger eyes, all set in silver.  I used to love to get into it and wear it when I was a little tyke - hence my love for turquoise and silver.}

She was raised on 180 acres of land that my grandparents owned on the Oklahoma/Texas border, in a place called Burneyville, just outside of Ardmore, OK, north of Gainesville, TX.  We had so much fun going "down home" to visit my grandparents and romp around my Mom's childhood digs.  She grew up with a lot of love, affection, and support.  Being the baby of the family, she was somewhat spoiled - which meant we were likewise spoiled by extension. 

Mother is a Pisces with a touch of Aquarius - creative, talented (Mom has a beautiful singing voice)  artistic (my sister is an artist because of her), soulful, clairvoyant, mysterious (she used to make predictions and be on point); designed her own clothes, cooks like a gourmet, and designs a home like nobody's business - things we each have inherited from her in some measure or another) - we all have much to be proud of in sharing her DNA.

She is my favorite Black History Month Subject - because of her we are all Black and proud from birth - she made sure of it.  As well as being proud of our Indian (Native American to the politically "correct") Heritage.  My mother was one of the first Black people to work in the US Post Office in Oklahoma City, when desegregation struck down the discriminatory laws.  Even then, they weren't trying to give her an even break, and set up tests for them to qualify for the job of sorting mail.  My mother actually went home, got a corrugated box, alphabetized it, and practiced throwing and sorting mail until she could do it in her sleep.  She passed the test on her first try, much to their shock and dismay. They had to hire her.  They didn't make it easy, but she stuck it out, and rose in the ranks anyway for 37 years.  

I learned from her to never say never; that there is always a way either over, under, around or through, if it's something you really want to do, be or have.  We have so many things we learned from her that we've tried to pass down to our own children, and hope they will likewise pass down to theirs. 

She and my dad were married for 47 years before his passing in 1987 - and loved each other through thick, thin, and four boisterous kids - She worked full time, but always had breakfast ready in the morning; and a hot meal ready in the evening when we got home.  She was a serious disciplinarian, but also taught us good manners, grace, study habits, and the value of honesty and hard work.  

One of her kids  was always getting into hot water, taking on crusades, participating in Civil Rights Marches, and sit ins - having to be bailed out of jail for taking stances against racism, discrimination, etc.; militant by day, bookworm by night; party animal in between -  (wonder who that was?  Hmmmmm???)

She's the last remaining sibling in her own family line, having lost her next to youngest sister, Aunt Mary, three years ago - she was 92. 

My mom is a beautiful woman - African Black and Cherokee Nation, who raised all four of us to love each other and be proud of who we are - she still lives in the home we were raised in. When we go home to Oklahoma to visit, we all camp out in the family room in front of the fire place, crash on the sofa or pillows on the floor; pop popcorn (straight from the kernels, not that microwaved stuff), and talk about the great times we had. One of the other things we do is put on a T-Bone Steak on the grill outside, and some succulent Buffalo Fish - and feast!

My Mom has all the photos from our childhood, her childhood, and beyond, but she won't let me take them and put them in albums.  And , being the modest Black woman she is, I can't post a photo of her without her permission.   But I can tell you that she's got the complexion of rich, dark chocolate, with beautiful silvery white hair, a perfect blend of Black and Indian lineage; and is a slender teeny lady.  We all have some portion of her beauty, and all of us have her big legs and long graceful fingers.  She and my Dad produced some beautiful kids, if I do say so myself - and I do!

I remember the first time I learned that George Washington's birthday was the same day as hers, and in Oklahoma City schools, we had it as a holiday  - I used to call it Mom's Day - not President's day.  She's the only person in the family that used to have her birthday off as a national holiday.  We used to tease her about chopping down cherry trees. 

I didn't get to visit her this year for her Birthday, but just spoke to her  by phone - she was telling me that the temperature in Oklahoma City is a balmy 72 degrees - I offered to trade some of the sunshine there for some of the snow we had here.  She and my brothers are going out for a Birthday dinner; my sister is flying in from Chicago to celebrate as well. 

Of course she won't see this greeting on Blogger, but I just wanted to share with all of you how proud we are of my Mom and how much we love her - and to all my Oklahoma Homies, stop by and give my Mom a hug for me, please. 

This is my Love for Ruby Love - thanks for having me, raising me, sticking by me through all the dreck and muck - and for being the eternally beautiful, gracious, loving savvy woman that you are.
Stay Blessed,
Love You Muchly
Gloria Jeanne
2.22.2014
www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com/ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS


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