Never Again

I searched high and low looking for a poem I wrote long ago, entitled, Never Again.  If I find it, I will post it later.  What it said is basically, that never again, would we allow some of the things we allowed in the past to happen again.  Some of us still believe in that promise.  In light of so many things that have been happening, I think it's time for us to revisit what we, as American's stand for.  I appreciate our freedoms, I like the idea that we are entitled to our own point of views.  I would like to think that we can agree and disagree without feeling that our lives will be in danger simply on the basis of our beliefs.   Clearly, the atmosphere here in this country is shifting.  It's a sad day in America when people cannot seek sanctuary in their chosen place of worship without fear of losing their life.  It is not just a sad day, it is a day that should cause us all to question where we are going as a nation.  We continually confront terrorism everywhere else in the world but we refuse to confront it here in our own country?

In honor of those who we have lost their lives in this way, we grieve with you and your family and we pray that one day, soon, we will not only get it right, we will put an end to the hatred and bloodshed.

Tribute to Nipsey Hussle

I didn’t know Nipsey Hussle, and I must admit, I never heard his name before last year when I heard a story about his on my favorite radio morning show.  The story was one that impressed me      because it was a positive story about a young man who grew up in the hood.  What made me notice him more was that in spite of his success, he chose to open his store in the neighborhood where he grew up.      He was endeavoring to give back to a community that he knew was in desperate need of positive male role models.  Instead of putting his money into building an empire outside of the hood, he was building it right where he lived. 

    I didn’t know that the next thing I would hear about him would be the story about his shooting.

I don’t know the details of what happened.  All I know is that the young man’s life was taken needlessly and far too soon, which is too often the case with young black men.  It doesn’t matter the circumstances.   Hearing about the death of any young black man is hard for me to swallow.  It is even harder when we lose one who was on the right path.  Nipsey was a young man who was        living daily what he believed in.  He was not only living his dreams, but he was also encouraging      others to believe that they could live their dreams too. 

  So, to all those who are left to grieve, I make this appeal.  Please don’t let this young man’s life be      in vain.  He was proof that you can turn your life around, that it doesn’t matter where you are from    or what your past may be, you can make something of your life.    Thank you Nipsey Hussle.             Even in death, you are influencing lives and changing them for the good.    The greatest tribute you  can give him is to make sure your lives count for something.  He doesn’t have another chance, but you do.   As long as you are here, you can learn something new, you can start again, there will always be a second chance.   As long as there is a new day dawning sunny and bright, you can make things right.

To Nipsey's family, I wish you peace in the midst of this storm.  

Remembering the Cross

Time stood still

On Calvary’s hill

Oh that he didn’t have to suffer

he didn’t have to die

He could have asked why,

But he knew it had to be.

If we were to live eternally

It had to be.

Would that you could see

Just how much he cared.

He willing placed himself there

He died on the cross

To save a world that was lost.

No one else would have given their life.

No one else would have paid such a price

But he loved us so much

He died for us

He knew it had to be.

In order for us to have life,

And have it more abundantly,

He knew it had to be

It had to be

It had to be.

He knew he had to die

So, he never asked why

He willingly gave his life

For us he made the sacrifice

For us, time stood still

On Calvary's Hill

copyright P. Newman-Harris

2019 Under Construction

This year, as I feel my breath upon the door of 2019, I find myself reflecting on the old and the new.

If we make it through the door of the new, who is to say whether we will see it through, but if we do, I am talking to you.  Before we look forward to the new year, we must bid those we left behind a fitting adieu.  If we only we could have bought them more time, if only.  Oh, if only.  There is nothing we could do to keep them here.  They have celebrated their last New Year, pondered their last problem and are now from the cares of this life.  We, however, are very much up to our necks in life.  So, as we look in the rearview and cast our eyes ahead, in their honor, let us contemplate how we can end the bloodshed and the hatred that they were born into.  Let us also, in their honor, consider the world’s present state.  What is to be our fate if we don’t do something to change those things that will eventually destroy us all.  How can we avoid the almost inevitable fall of mankind?   I am not trying to paint a picture of gloom and doom, but it’s clear we are adding down a dark path.  We have got to make this year different.  Collectively, we must consider our direction.  Individually, we must ask ourselves what we are willing to commit to in 2019?  Will we destroy or create?  2019 is a slate yet clean.  If we are blessed, we will have 365 days to place under construction.  What are we going to create?  Will we create harmony or discord?  The choice is ours to make.  In honor of those who no longer can have the ability to create a better tomorrow, let us make a vow to not only build a year that they would be proud of but to also build a world that they would have been proud to be a part of.  2019, under construction.  What are you going to build? 

.

Story Without End

There is a story that began long ago
One we all know
I call it a story without end
Because it has been told again and again.
Year after year
It reaches ear after ear.
It is a story about a little baby boy's immaculate birth,
and how he came to earth to give life to the dying.
It is a story that encourages us to keep trying
And to have hope
Above all hope.
For those who believe the impossible can be,
It is more than a story
It is reality
A love to be treasured
From one who loves beyond measure
A love to be treasured
From one who loves beyond measure.
It is a story that imparts
Love to every heart
It is the reason why we celebrate with great joy
The birth of one baby boy
Tell the story
Tell of his glory
Let the world sing
Halleluiah to our King
Come let us adore this holy one
For all the days to come
Celebrate,
Celebrate his birth
For he came to bring peace on earth
Remember the story,
Tell the story
Again and again
For it is the only story without end.

copyright 2010 Patricia Newman Harris
Matters of the Heart

Appreciating the Sacrifice (continued)

This morning I was listening to a radio program and heard a Veteran say that he did not understand when people said to him, "Thank you for your service."  He explained why, and I had never thought of things the way he saw it.   I think for so many young men who did not sign up for the job of being a soldier, hearing someone say, "Thank you for your service" might be confusing.   No matter what your reason for serving, it is and was a great sacrifice.   I still say we appreciate your service and we thank you for honoring the commitment.   You didn't have to do it, but you did.  Out of fear, you could have turned and ran away, but you stayed and served.    If not for your service, there would be no need for celebrating.  Every right we have earned has come at the expense of someone else.  Someone had conviction enough to sacrifice their life for you and me.  We not only owe them our gratitude, but we also owe them our respect.    As Americans, the best way to do that is by endeavoring to protect the freedoms so many died to preserve.

Appreciating the Sacrifice

As a country, we have been blessed.  Through the sacrifices of those who have served

we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.  In these troubling times, it is even more important that we realize the significance of those who sacrificed.  It is their sacrifice and their conviction to our country that we honor.  As Americans, it is something we should always appreciate and never take for granted.    Because of them, we can live the life we live today.  Without them, there would be nothing to celebrate, no spacious skies or purple mountains majesty to enjoy.  To our Veteran's still serving and to those who gave their lives, not just on Veteran's Day, but every day, we honor you and thank you for your service.