Month: February 2025

There are some things you can only learn in a storm.

Tell me about it. Nuff said.

These are a couple pictures of what used to be my yard. These are the more tame ones. It took more than six weeks before the neighborhood had internet. Before the 🌪, you could have never seen the row of houses as they were obscured by trees and fences.

They have replaced quite a few fences and replanting/repairing what trees they can. It still looks like a hellscape everywhere.

I’m trying my best to look towards the future. It’s not easy with so much damaged present in my view…*tiny pout*.

I tell myself things are being rebuilt. I tell myself that I am being rebuilt. There are days when I believe that’s a load of craaaaaaaaappp! There are days when I would dearly love to tell them to stop all that damndable 🛠 hammering already!!

Then, there are just days…

Today is one of THOSE days, beloveds. A day where I don’t give two hoots about why everything looks and feels like a hellscape. Today just feels like walking through a never-ending hell of a day. I am tired of them. I am tired.

Still, I fight on. I have to. I HAVE TO. So do you.

Be encouraged. Things ARE being restored. Let’s not worry about the why today. Let’s just be grateful that we are still here. Let’s be thankful of all that remains. Let us remain hopeful and joyful as the new trees shall shelter us with their soothing shade.

Your storm will NOT be the 🔚 end of you. You have too many thangs to do, remember? Let’s do some thangs.

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: There are days when it is really difficult inspiring the masses when earth 🌎 movers are continually changing what used to be familiar. I tell you what I am currently telling myself in real time…

Be encouraged. Nuff said.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

I’m going to make it!

I’m going to make it!

You are going to make it!

Hang in there.

asking for A Friend,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Am feeling better. I think. My hourly 🚽 bathroom pilgrimages have been cut in half. Progress.

I had some particularly witty and inspiring to give you but I left it in the bathroom.

Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Life is short. Be sure to get some laughs in your day. Stop focusing on the hard. Yea, it’s hard. Yes, it sucks. Yaz, making stupid 🍋 lemonade out of a never-ending basket of lemon receiving gets old.

Still, lemonade IS quite tasty, eh? Play some music during the hard. Read a book. Take a walk. Tell mad to take a hike, then get on with your day!

asking for A Friend,

Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: We are going to make it.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

You are much tougher than you think.

You are going to make it.

I am going to make it.

Darn it all, God, could you hurry it up just a smidge? Geeeeeeeeeez.

asking for A Friend,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: You got this. I got this. God has us all.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Your best days are NOW.

Nuff said.
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Your best days are NOW. You were built for this time. Be encouraged. I know. I say this EVERY day. I get on my own nerves, at times, reminding myself of this.

We HAVE to. We MUST remind ourselves the best IS yet to come. It is. Keep looking UP. Keep moving FORWARD.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

asking for A Friend,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note:

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Restless.

I’m restless. Not in a bad way. Expectant. Hopeful. Wondering. My mind wonders to places unknown. I want to go. I want to stay. Here. In my now. I am old. Still, I feel young at heart.

The stillness is like a song. It calls to me. To be. Still. Something is stirring. Deep inside.

This is what I texted my poor wombie in the middle of the night. 😂

In my defense, beloveds, I AM restless. Yet, not in a bad way. A thoughtful way, perhaps. A growing way, most definitely.

I happened upon a series called “From Inmate to Roommate” where near strangers accept newly released folk from prison.

They are part of an experimental program to cut down the recidivism rate. Both sides want things to be successful. Both sides appear to have set each up for failure.

The newly released want to roam completely free. The welcoming parties want the former inmates to be cautious.

Both, well intentioned. Neither side is able to see the viewpoint of the other. I hurt for them all.

All sides coming from a hopeful place. Neither side has the lived experience of the other. No one hears. All grow angry/misunderstood.

I find myself feeling like the newly released. I also feel like the party trying to welcome newness, yet potential danger, into my life.

My world is completely different. This has made ME different. There are times when I long for the old me. The old me knew what to do. Okay, she didn’t. The old me knew how to pretend all was well.

This new me will not and does not suffer fools or foolishness lightly. She nearly died in the 🌪 tornado.

I have been restless since the winds died down outside. Truthfully, the winds have ceased to quiet from within ME.

Ah, God. What do I DO with me now?

asking for A Friend,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: This piece is for the restless hearts out there. Be still. God knows. God sees. Even for the unbelievers out there. I pray for unbelievers the most.

Be encouraged. Though your world may seem upside down, you are not alone within it. I got you in prayer. God has us all. I care. So does He.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

I think God is sighing.

I think God is sighing.

He has a reason to be disappointed with us all.

I think God may be crying.

He is hurting for us all.

I think God is hopeful.

He KNOWS what we CAN do.

I think God is trying.

He believes in us.

Ah, beloveds. I am doing my best NOT to despair. I miss my mom. Yesterday would have been my dad’s 93 birthday. I’m an orphan. I FEEL like an orphan.

I feel alone. Still, I am NOT alone. Neither are you, beloveds. I have been praying and asking God what on earth can I SAY that can be of any comfort in times like these?

Then, I remembered that He is 1,000,000,000,000,000 when it comes to handling my/your business! How could I NOT remain hopeful/joyful?

I saw a caption that read “Fear needs chaos to thrive”. So true!

Fear not, beloveds. None of us knows what will happen in the future. None of us can say what shall happen tomorrow.

ALL we can do is to live and to love TODAY. NOW. HERE. Right where we are planted. In the skin we were placed here in…lol.

Be encouraged. Keep being a light. We got this. I’m fixing to have a cup of coffee and a honey bun. Who is up for company?

asking for A Friend,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Love. Just love. We got this…

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

God, what do I say?

Me: What do I say to my  broken brother?

God: Tell him you love him.

Me: He’s not listening.

God: Tell him anyway.

Me: What do I say to my heartbroken sister?

God: Tell her you love her.

Me: She won’t hear me.

God: Tell her anyway.

Me: What do I say to broken world?

God: Tell it I love them.

Me: K.

Beloveds, I have been sitting here wondering what I could say that would be of any encouragement during such dark times.

Then, I remembered that Light STILL shines. In the dark. Despite the dark. Through the darkness.

Be encouraged. Things SHALL be alright. There are more folk who love and care, then those who don’t or choose not to.

History is watching us all. We shall all be held accountable for our love or for our silence.

Now, more than ever, beloveds, love is needed. Everywhere.

Don’t be discouraged. Yes, it’s terribly disappointing to see folk choosing finances over his/her fellow man/woman.

Life is short. Use yours to love one another. Starting with you!

asking for A Friend,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: I REFUSE to use my voice for anything but lifting up as many hearts as I can. I love you. Especially those of you who look nothing like me. Be encouraged.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

You SHALL come out on top.

Be encouraged!

You SHALL come out on TOP!

Yes, I know. It feels as if you shall never be able to dig out from this latest fiasco, or, life happenstance.

You CAN.

You WILL.

This is a new year. 2025. You have all year to keep on trying. MAKE this your year. The ONLY thing that will keep you discouraged is YOUR perception. That’s it.

You got this. So do I. God has us both.

At times, heckamiah feels like ALL the time now, life tends to pile on some extra what the hells and when did all that happeneds. When it does, beloveds, we have to keep it moving.

I don’t particularly feel like moving today. There has been a stomach virus sweeping the Midwest. It was kind enough to head south and stop by for a spot of tea. How neighborly. Not!…*stamps foot*.

In addition to feeling like paint scrapings, I now have to dodge the barrage of “You will never find a job and how dare ask for one being you are an unqualified probably should be a migrant since you are a black 🖤 woman” nonsense everywhere. Everywhere!😳😠

N-E-Waze, I just stopped ’round to let you know you are NOT being buried. Not for good, anyhow.

Some of us are being replanted. Some of us are being uprooted. Some of us are having our hedges trimmed. ALL of us are being prepared.

Sometimes, we just need to be reminded that all of this crap, er, life is happening for a reason…*annoyed mutter*. Stay encouraged.

rooting for you,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: There is soooooooooo much negativity out in these streets. I absolutely REFUSE to waste even ONE moment of my day trying to convince folk that I am worthy of love, respect and a decent job.

I AM worthy. I AM worthwhile. I AM worth it.

Beloveds, particularly women and folk of color, do NOT allow your love to he hijacked by hate. Keep on loving. Keep on being YOU.

To my white sisters and brothers, I love you. Even those of you who think me incapable of being capable simply for the color of my skin/gender. Smh.

We shall come out on top! Let’s go!!!

Give extra love today. The world needs it. Geeeeeeez yall! Life is too short for all the hate being so casually tossed about.

Enjoy your day. Even the ones where you would soooooooooo like to pop a few to help them get some act right.



One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

Put down the weight.

I love this quote!

I have spent a lifetime, beloveds, hauling around weight that never belonged to me. I’m sure you have, as well.

I am working hard to put down as much weight as I can get to.

Not working has soooooooooo been not working for me. I have to find another way to make myself valuable…

Ah.

Aha!

I AM value. No matter what I do or don’t do. I DO matter. No matter that I am currently not working.

Was working, since I was 14, is what made me valuable and worthwhile?

Am I no longer valued or valuable until I can again pay my way?

Ack! It’s hard confronting facts and facing them.

We have all been weighted down by/with the expectations of others. By our own expectations.

I think we are all much too hard on ourselves and on one another. The longer I live, the more I learn that I know very little about a lot of things.

I’m working on ME. I’m pointing the finger back at ME. I am expecting ME to continue taking the high road. I’m encouraging ME to keep on moving FORWARD.

I have been under the weather for the past few days. I have things I have been wanting to do. I’m trying to cut myself some slack.

Put down the weight, beloveds. We don’t HAVE to run ourselves ragged. We do NOT have to drag around other folk’s feelings and work. We are NOT responsible for how other folks live their lives. Other folk are NOT responsible with how we choose to live our lives.

Things truly will come out in the wash. All we need to do is our best. Period. The outcome is not up to us.

Uh, oh! The bathroom calleth. Again.😳🤷‍♀️

Take real good care of your tender heart.

asking for A Friend,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Back away from the guilt. Lift up your head. Don’t be ashamed of your life. You have done your best.

The mistakes you have made are just that: Mistakes. So what? Fix what you can. Mitigate what you can’t fix. Apologize to both parties. Move on. How LONG will you keep bearing weight for things looooonnnggg past?

Punishing yourself today for things done a million yesterday’s ago serves and saves no one. Get going. You have thangs to do.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!

I can’t hear you.

Fear: You will never.

Me: I can’t hear you.

Doubt: Nobody cares about you.

Me: I can’t hear you.

Apathy: It’s too hard to do.

Me: I can’t hear you.

Anger: Forget about people!😡

Me: I can’t hear you.

Love: You CAN.

Me: I hear you.

Try: You WILL.

Me: I hear you.

God: I got you.

Me: I hear you.

refusing to listen to lies,
Cassandra

#YourLifeMattersToMe

Note: Fear lies. Doubts lie. Apathy is a big liar. Anger can drown out the deepest truths.

Beloveds, it’s okay to feel. Just don’t allow your feels to run the show. It’s hard to reason when you are ready to run away and hide. It’s difficult to choose when you are fearful or the next move. It’s impossible to move when apathy sets in.

Be encouraged. Take a beat. Take a break. Make a decision. Then, get on with your life.

You got this! Go for it.

One step.

One step.

One step.

You are loved.

You are NOT alone.

Keep on being…YOU!