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A Letter To Our Sons

dunkcoffee

Dear Sons,

What a billion dollar phrase to be able to call you dear sons, which is what you are; our sons. You belong to us heart and soul. When I hear about you it’s like hearing about my favorite song and the artist that sings it, and for me that would be Stevie Wonder singing the song; With a child’s heart, a moving musical piece.  I am stirred up and excited by the news of you. Your greatness rings out in my ears and shines brightly in my eyes. I can see you though I have never met you. I can feel you even though we are miles and years apart. I can see within your eyes a desire to hope and to believe in yourselves, but you are afraid. Up looks impossible, down feels doable. And because of your mistakes you believe that you are not deserving of…

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Prince

My thoughts of Prince: I was mouth opened-jaw dropping surprised when my daughter told me that “Prince” was dead. We held our breath hoping that it was another TMZ cruel hoax. But when CNN declared it, we knew it was a nightmare turned into a reality. You see Prince for me was right up there with Stevie wonder. His music was like oil seeping into creaky joints, speaking to them. He went inside and spoke to the hidden and gave words to the wordless parts…he gave expression to the inexpressible and wrote in his off key language of depth and insight and then put to music your souls ideals in an amazing string of guitar notes and vocal arrangements that surpassed our comprehension.

I was irate and suspicious because too many of our musical icons/representatives are dying far too soon and my thoughts were; what’s really killing them? But as I sat at my breakfast table this morning, these thoughts became blurred as new thoughts, better thoughts emerged.

Prince lived his life to the fullest extent; he used his talents, gifts, creativity, beliefs, and uniqueness to its zenith and turned the world upside down with his individuality and humanity. He is more than a musical genius, he is Gods Magnus opus. He showed up in his own life every single day and he showed us how to be true to all parts of which we are and to own what is ours. He showed us how to love and hurt and still win in the face of loss…he showed us to declare victory in the face of defeat…to stand alone rather than compromise our integrity and never follow those who would lead us astray from our base. He showed us what truth and courage looked like by walking it out upon his colorful life canvas. In a conventional world he was unconventional…in a world brutal with tasteless judgments and wounding opinions dictating that you become what another mans idea of you mean over your idea of you. He with stood as Maya Angelou said; still I rise.

He taught us to be outspoken without malice and to leave others to figure them-selves out. He taught us that one’s right to privacy is exactly that; a right. And that you don’t need to know anymore about another person than what he shows you, or desire you to know. To enter into another’s personal content is invasive and discourteous and should not be tolerated. Prince lived his life above reproach, even when the media sought to slander him, he would not participate in the snares of it, he left us to our own devices. he never wasted time explaining who he was to people who had already made up their minds about him, he just lived from within out and gave the best of what he was giving to the world; He owned himself completely.

His music healed  and entertained the world and spoke the secrets and silence of many hearts, the broken, the lonely, the erotica, the spiritual, the humanity. When I looked at his life, I could not find sorrow befitting of him only celebration of being….his compassion for those suffering moved him into action to bring relief, care and understanding. He is truly The beautiful One and he has left a powerful legacy to us all; To thine own-self be true…Prince was a classic dude in every arena he touched. Sac

 

 

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A GARDEN OF BEAUTY

dunkcoffee

 

 

 

Being a woman is a beautifully honorary privilege and an awesome responsibility that we do not shoulder alone.  Our womanhood is an extension of God in the earth, he is our internal cohesion, He works with us to form a united whole.  Being the divine “GODDESS” that we are must be understood, accepted and cultivated continuously.  Our beauty is intended for use inside out. It cannot be standardized. Because it’s variegated and copyrighted individually makes it customized; a true one-of-a-kind.

Copyright:

 You cannot be duplicated under any circumstances. All who try to copy your originality will be charged with copyright infringement and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent by the laws of failure, inadequacy and misery. Because you retain 100% rights to your Magnus opus you never need to compete or to compare you to anyone else in the universe…you are the sole owner of…

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LEGACY JEWELS

A Dedication to My Children and grandchildren
I EMBRACE YOU IN THE DEEP WELLS OF MY HEART WITH THESE TRUTHS:

YOU ARE MY VINTAGE STRAND OF PEARLS;
SINCERE, TRUTHFUL AND LOYAL

YOU ARE MY BRACELET OF COWRY SHELLS;
YOU ARE FILLED WITH THE POWER OF DESTINY AND PURPOSE

YOU ARE MY AUTHENTIC BLACK AGATE PENDANT;
MY GEMS OF TRUTH

YOU ARE MY CITRINE TIARA;
MY OPTIMISM

YOU ARE MY MOONSTONE RING;
MY GOOD FORTUNE

YOU ARE MY GARNET EARRINGS;
MY STONES OF STRENGTH

YOU ARE MY DIAMONDS AND OPALS;
MY EVERLASTING LOVES FAITHFUL AND CONFIDENT

YOU ARE MY BLOODSTONES; MY HEROES
YOU AUDIENCE ME AS THE ULTIMATE JEWELER AND USHER ME INTO THE FACE OF THE FUTURE… I CANNOT SAY GOODBYE TO ONE WITHOUT FIRST SAYING HELLO TO EACH ONE OF YOU…YOU ARE MY PRIDE…
MY STERLING SILVER TRIUMPHS
YOU ARE MY LEGACY JEWELS
(ZECHARIAH 9:16-17) THEY WILL SPARKLE IN THIS LAND LIKE JEWELS IN A CROWN

S.A. CUMBUS

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LEGACY JEWELS

A Dedication to My Children and grandchildren

I EMBRACE YOU IN THE DEEP WELLS OF MY HEART WITH THESE TRUTHS:

 

YOU ARE MY VINTAGE STRAND OF PEARLS;

SINCERE, TRUTHFUL AND LOYAL

 

YOU ARE MY BRACELET OF COWRY SHELLS;

YOU ARE FILLED WITH THE POWER OF DESTINY AND PURPOSE

 

YOU ARE MY AUTHENTIC BLACK AGATE PENDANT;

MY GEMS OF TRUTH

 

YOU ARE MY CITRINE TIARA;

MY OPTIMISM

 

YOU ARE MY MOONSTONE RING;

MY GOOD FORTUNE

 

YOU ARE MY GARNET EARRINGS;

MY STONES OF STRENGTH

 

YOU ARE MY DIAMONDS AND OPALS;

MY EVERLASTING LOVES FAITHFUL AND CONFIDENT

 

YOU ARE MY BLOODSTONES; MY HEROES

YOU AUDIENCE ME AS THE ULTIMATE JEWELER AND USHER ME INTO THE FACE OF THE FUTURE… I CANNOT SAY GOODBYE TO ONE WITHOUT FIRST SAYING HELLO TO EACH ONE OF YOU…YOU ARE MY PRIDE…

MY STERLING SILVER TRIUMPHS

YOU ARE MY LEGACY JEWELS

(ZECHARIAH 9:16-17) THEY WILL SPARKLE IN THIS LAND LIKE JEWELS IN A CROWN

 

S.A. CUMBUS

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Tear Gas and the Spark of Change

Racism is alive and its so true that Blacks are at the barrel of the gun. The badge, uniform and flashing lights have become as much of a threat as when our ancestors were slaves. The hostility and the violence we live under in America is staggering. We are not heard in courts of law, we are automatically found guilty just because we are people of color. We are not allowed to defend ourselves from unjust and abusive treatment, we are expected to just be beaten in every way as a pathetic victim and when we stand for ourselves because no one else will, we are killed, found guilty of being what we are not violent without a cause. Our sons and daughters are not free to move around in this world without being suspect and harassed, detained and so we must be overly concerned for our children but when we protect our families we are charged with interference or resistance to that authority. They talk to us in derogatory tones and words and disrespect us in front of our children. Creating anger in us. I can find no fault in being a person of color…no deed worthy of such abuse, cruelty and disrespect. No reason to be pulled over and racially profiled, and searched because of my skin and car, or appearance. No one pulls over the white youth with spiked mohawks, or judge him because he smokes weed, drink. I have seen young whites cuss the police out, refuse to stop or comply with them and they weren’t cracked over the head, placed in a choke hold with four or five cops kicking him, and calling him names, and I have never known one to be gunned down by police officers. They go out of their way to intimidate blacks and provoke them. Nothing is self-defense for us. We are expectated to just lie down and be stomped, choked and smashed. Yes it can all change, but it seems that no one really want it to . Everybody look away and decide that we lie and exaggerate. But in the words of Steve Bikko; Blacks are not unaware of their hardships. Ferguson, Mo is living proof

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To Our Son’s: A MESSAGE FROM THE HEART OF A MOTHER

While you were imbosomed within your mother’s preciously chosen womb, it was there God created your inmost being and put you together. And even though you were framed in the secret place he knew you before you were formed. His eyes saw your unstructured body, it was not hidden from him.

He clothed you with skin and flesh and he knit you together with bones and tendons, ligaments and muscles. You were intricately and curiously embroidered in various gifts, talents, inclines and influences.  On the day you were born, a fearful and wonderful work was finished and the aweful wonder of your birth occurred. You were approved as an impressive and marvelous creation. Like a pearl you had been covered in the deep, admitted into the heart and held in the intimacy of a place of dark mystery. For it was God that held you securely in that place, guaranteeing that nothing would disturb you or extract you from the tough but fragile haven. It was he who took you from your mother’s womb assuring that you arrived timely and safely. He has been your benefactor from that day…he has been your strong refuge…your sheltering stronghold from your birth through your ages…he has been your hope and your confidence. You are as a wonder and surprise to many, for many looked upon you and yet they could not see that you are God’s “rich reward and heritage” and even when you didn’t see, God’s idea of you never dimmed. You were born a marvelous work filled with purpose and destiny. YOU WERE BORN OF VALUE!

I want you to be proud of your heritage, but at the same time, I want you to see beyond the color of your skin. To see yourself as a black man only, seriously limits and handicap your choices and opportunities and solutions. Make your own way and be “unstoppable”. Trust me when I tell you that no one will ever allow you to forget that you are a Black Man and no one can keep you from your future but you. So how you see yourself is very important to how you dress yourself for life. What you believe about you will propel you forward or keep you stuck where ever you are. what you believe about God and about your Parents (heritage) are your reference and they will define life for you and become the cornerstone of your actions. Black is only the color of your skin it does not define the man that lives within. In our world the title Black Man/Nigger has always been deliberately used as a derogatory caption and tone to incapacitate you. Don’t let it! Take away the power of another mans definition of you…you must be the one to define you. Don’t be cornered by the Media’s view, or the wrong opinion the world has of you. Refuse the dictation to see yourself Blacker than a Man. Choose a better way of looking at you; See yourself as a man that is strong, Godly and great in worth, purpose and self-esteem…See yourself as a King. Everything begins first in the mind. The more you think it, the more those thoughts will enlarge themselves and you will act upon them. So don’t dance to the rhythm of VICTIM; strum your tune in VICTORY. You are not weak, you are strong but you will always know defeat when you let someone else define you…then it is they who designs you. When I think of our sons I see a strong Oak Tree that continues to stand. I see warriors filled with wisdom and bravery. I don’t think in terms of weakness but power. In my eyes there is no human being more beautiful or capable then our Black Men. The term Black man does not ring out degradation in my ears, but pride in my spirit and hope in my heart that one day you will come to realize who you are and what that means overall to the good of who we all are as a race of people. Sometimes when our adversary relentlessly pursues us, we come to believe that the things we hope for will never be and that change will never come. You are more than a young Black Man…you are a marvelous masterpiece. It is time to respect your heritage; God and the circle of family, duty, self-enlightenment, self-respect, honor, commitment, integrity, hard work, and tenacity. These are your strengths and your powers…these are your silken threads that weaves an indestructible cord. Chose not to be discouraged; discouragement silences your courage. You were born to be Victorious…don’t choose to be a victim or victimizer. Be incredible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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To Our Son’s: A MESSAGE FROM THE HEART OF A MOTHER

While you were imbosomed within your mother’s preciously chosen womb, it was there God created your inmost being and put you together. And even though you were framed in the secret place he knew you before you were formed. His eyes saw your unstructured body, it was not hidden from him. He clothed you with skin and flesh and he knit you together with bones and tendons, ligaments and muscles. You were intricately and curiously embroidered in various gifts, talents, inclines and influences.  On the day you were born, a fearful and wonderful work was finished and the aweful wonder of your birth occurred. You were approved as an impressive and marvelous creation. Like a pearl you had been covered in the deep, admitted into the heart and held in the intimacy of a place of dark mystery. For it was God that held you securely in that place, guaranteeing that nothing would disturb you or extract you from the tough but fragile haven. It was he who took you from your mother’s womb assuring that you arrived timely and safely. He has been your benefactor from that day…he has been your strong refuge…your sheltering stronghold from your birth through your ages…he has been your hope and your confidence. You are as a wonder and surprise to many, for many looked upon you and yet they could not see that you are God’s “rich reward and heritage” and even when you didn’t see, God’s idea of you never dimmed. You were born a marvelous work filled with purpose and destiny. YOU WERE BORN OF VALUE! I want you to be proud of your heritage, but at the same time, I want you to see beyond the color of your skin. To see yourself as a black man only, seriously limits and handicap your choices and opportunities and solutions. Make your own way and be “unstoppable”. Trust me when I tell you that no one will ever allow you to forget that you are a Black Man and no one can keep you from your future but you. So how you see yourself is very important to how you dress yourself for life. What you believe about you will propel you forward or keep you stuck where ever you are. what you believe about God and about your Parents (heritage) are your reference and they will define life for you and become the cornerstone of your actions. Black is only the color of your skin it does not define the man that lives within. In our world the title Black Man/Nigger has always been deliberately used as a derogatory caption and tone to incapacitate you. Don’t let it! Take away the power of another mans definition of you…you must be the one to define you. Don’t be cornered by the Media’s view, or the wrong opinion the world has of you. Refuse the dictation to see yourself Blacker than a Man. Choose a better way of looking at you; See yourself as a man that is strong, Godly and great in worth, purpose and self-esteem…See yourself as a King. Everything begins first in the mind. The more you think it, the more those thoughts will enlarge themselves and you will act upon them. So don’t dance to the rhythm of VICTIM; strum your tune in VICTORY. You are not weak, you are strong but you will always know defeat when you let someone else define you…then it is they who designs you. When I think of our sons I see a strong Oak Tree that continues to stand. I see warriors filled with wisdom and bravery. I don’t think in terms of weakness but power. In my eyes there is no human being more beautiful or capable then our Black Men. The term Black man does not ring out degradation in my ears, but pride in my spirit and hope in my heart that one day you will come to realize who you are and what that means overall to the good of who we all are as a race of people. Sometimes when our adversary relentlessly pursues us, we come to believe that the things we hope for will never be and that change will never come. You are more than a young Black Man…you are a marvelous masterpiece. It is time to respect your heritage; God and the circle of family, duty, self-enlightenment, self-respect, honor, commitment, integrity, hard work, and tenacity. These are your strengths and your powers…these are your silken threads that weaves an indestructible cord. Chose not to be discouraged; discouragement silences your courage. You were born to be Victorious…don’t choose to be a victim or victimizer. Be incredible.

S.A. Cumbus