Stories & Updates

Mom's weekends with Destiny and Victoria were a cozy blend of grandma-granddaughter magic and honestly frustration. Though I couldn't see it, I'd hear laughter and playful accusations – 'Grandma, stop cheating!' Cards and board games filled those cherished nights. It reminded me of our own childhood, where winning wasn't handed out easily. Mom loved her games, be it with the young ones or her friends and family. What's your favorite memory of her game nights, or a memory that stands out?

 Ah, Christmas at Momma's house was somethin' else, I tell ya. Every year, she'd throw down a feast fit to be tired, and we all had to be there, no excuses. Now, you know, she'd always find somethin' to fuss about – maybe somebody left something open or who knows what, but it was all part of the tradition.

The spread, though, that's what I miss the most. Traditional soul food that could make your taste buds do a little dance. Baked mac and cheese so good it could make your heart skip a beat. Dressing that tasted like like Christmas with hot sauce. Green beans or some kind of greens, depending on her mood and budget. Potato salad that had the whole family asking for seconds. She cooked everything starting the day before and all day Christmas.

And then there was the meat – Turkey and chicken, and sometimes it was ham glazed to perfection, topped with pineapples that were like little bursts of sunshine. Also, but back in the day, Momma and my sisters would tackle those chitlins – clean and cook'em, not everyone's cup of tea, but it was our thing, and served with hot sauce.

Now, the highlight for everyone, 'cept my older brother with his allergies, (although she would make him a special separate bowl of potato salad without the egg), were Momma's deviled eggs! Oh, and that coleslaw – she'd toss in raisins/apples (I think) for that extra sweetness. I could never get into it, too sweet for my liking, but my niece, she loved it. Funny how tastes can differ in the same family.

Those Christmas gatherings, though, they were golden. We might have been leading separate lives most of the year, but come Christmas, we'd "lay eyes" on each other, as Momma would say. It was our time to reconnect, share laughter, and make memories that still warm my heart. Christmas at Momma's – those were the good times, the times I'll always treasure. 

 The Sankofa bird, a powerful symbol in African culture, embodies the essence of looking back to move forward. With its head turned backward and an egg in its mouth, the Sankofa teaches us the profound lesson of honoring our roots to pave the way for a brighter future. In the journey of life, embracing ancestral reverence and understanding our family history becomes the key to growth. Just as the Sankofa bird retrieves the egg, we too must delve into our past, learn from our collective history as a people, and carry forward the wisdom embedded in our roots. It is through this connection with our heritage that we gain strength, resilience, and a profound understanding of where we come from, allowing us to navigate the present and build a legacy for generations to come.