“Diane, if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything!” My mother would say these words to me growing up, every time I was on the fence about something, or if I was just going along to get along! Although I did not fully understand the significance these words would have on my life at the time, now I fully underSTAND.

Spoiler alert we were all born to die, seriously from day one, the end goal is to transition from this life. We all have a set number of days, breathes, and moments to live. Unfortunately, this notion that we have plenty of time and we will eventually get to living our best life once we … (fill in the blank). No judgement, I think at some point in this life’s journey many of us; including me and Charles, have thought WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME..

There are times in life where loss comes back-to-back to back. This was my reality in 2004. My uncle (more like brother) died; the next month my first grandchild died; eight months later my dad died. Seriously Lord, take me please, the grief is way too much to live through. However instead God loved me through a beautiful human being named Charles. In a space where grief was overwhelming God allowed me to meet a man that would forever change my life.

When Charles and I started Love Drops Podcast we decided that we would use our podcasting platform to extend our community services and outreaches. We invite you to go check out our Share Love Page for more details! As we are now diving into our 2023 Love Drops Podcast Year-End Outreach, Cookie Washington “Cookie Sews Quilts” and Patricia McLean “Tomorrow Girls” have each donated a prize which will be awarded in a giveaway.

Our first giveaway will be on November 27th, 2023! The donor selected will receive (5) Mini Quilts by Cookie Washington. These quilts are available for purchase at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and Charleston S.C. Here’s what Cookie had to say about the inspiration behind the mini quilts:

My favorite scripture from the Bible is Proverbs 3:5-6! Honestly, I don’t know when it became my favorite; what I do know is that my life has aligned with that scripture for as long as I can remember. “TRUST GOD” Yeah that’s easier said than done, but that is the message of Proverbs 3:5-6. Beyond what you may believe, understand or are told TRUST GOD! WAIT! WHAT? That sounds absolutely absurd, and no rationale minded person would ever even consider this; RIGHT? Wrong! I am a very rationale minded person, at times too rational. However, at some point I chose Proverbs 3:5-6 over being rational, over what others said, and over what I wanted in a moment. I made that choice once and continue to do so with no regrets; despite looking and being perceived as crazy at times. Although often I could not explain my actions because many times I didn’t even understand them, yet there was a peace within that assured me that I was on the right path.

“I Got You Sis”, are words that have been spoken by me and to me countless times. My superpower is showing up for my sisters! Sisterhood is very important to me. I am the eldest sister in my family, and I take that role very serious. I am sure if you asked my two younger sisters, they’d probably say I’ve taken the big sister role way too serious at times. What can I say, I am my sister’s keeper because I am my sister!

There’s an old cliche’ which says; “Things are not always as they appear!” I am actually in total agreement with that cliche’ because over the course of my life, I have done my share of “double takes.” Looking again to see if what I was seeing, was really what I was seeing. Funny but true story, many years ago my vehicle was stolen from right in front of my house. I remember opening the front and finding an empty space where the car should have been. I immediately shut the door and opened it again looking for my car and it was still gone.

Don’t go back for it, or else you’ll be disappointed. I still hear these words in my mind every time I experience something amazing. My dear sweet auntie in Love, spoke these words to me nearly two years ago after I told her about an amazing dining experience. Initially, I was like Wait? What! However, I quickly understood her meaning and for me that became an “Ah Ha Moment”

There’s a time and season for everything under sun. So why wouldn’t it be a time to SHAKE IT UP!

Life has taught me that many times when one is stuck or unable to take flight, it’s due to allowing people and things to stay in places which is no longer fitting to their journey. What you mean by that Diane? Glad you asked (winks), what I mean is there are things and people in our lives that simply no longer fit who we are or thriving to be. However, because of loyalty, fear, or even maybe guilt, we allow things to remain status quo.

Have you ever felt abandoned by those closest to you?

That heart wrenching, stomach punch, mind blowing feeling is simply devastating!

We did live together, I was there for your BIG days, SAD days, SCARY day, we promised to RIDE or DIE for each other. I mean we went through thick/thin, and it was supposed to be until the very end!

BUT THEN…

The other day I had a conversation with a young lady that I have had the pleasure of doing life with for several years now. She is a newlywed and was commenting on how blessed she was to have an amazing husband. During the conversation this young lady made the following profound statement. “Ms. Diane, I am just so happy that I don’t have to be the strong woman 24/7 with my husband.” I could totally relate, and it made me stop and think. Why is it that women, especially women of color feel the need to be so strong all the time? Why is it that there is not a moment when we feel like we can just be completely vulnerable? Wow, just the thought of this made me extremely tired and not just a physical tired but a deep down in my soul tired.

I come from a family that walked together. My mom was a serious walker, and her mom was also, so of course I too am a walker. Walking is my therapy, and I truly believe my grandmother knew that I would need therapy before I could afford it. For as long as I can remember whenever I found myself in a place where I was stuck, confused, hurt, or whatever else that would pull me out of balance; I would walk.

October is “Depression and Mental Health Awareness Month”, pause and think about that for a moment. Our emotional health is vital to our entire being and has been overlooked for far to long. I am grateful to see people speaking up about their mental health without being ostracized or condemned. We all have triggers that can take us on an emotional high or an emotional low emotional places. One of the keys to maintaining your mental health balance is knowing your triggers and finding an effective way to work through them.

Truly my life has offered several; "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding...." moments.

March 7, 2004 was a day that changed my life forever. See on that day I would become "Nana" for the very first time. The joy I felt when I received the call that baby Nate had arrived is beyond words. I lived on the West Coast at the time of Nate's birth and once I was informed that my daughter was in labor; I was on the first plane to Michigan.

Charles and I had both been married previously, so we came into this marriage with experience. We entered the space of matrimony with our eyes wide open, knowing that it was not going to be a fairytale. The success of our story depended on keeping the flame and choosing each other every single day.

Our journey was set and we were committed to the adventures ahead of us. The keys were placed on the kitchen counter and we departed our home, of eight years, for the last time. The car was packed to capacity and we were prepared to drive to our first destination.

The opportunity to serve at the GratiDude Ranch, came via a volunteer site I was registered with. There was something about the event that I knew would change my life forever.