Transparency: am I happy with my body or did I settle into accepting it for what it currently is? If I’m honest with myself, there is so much work to do. Previous efforts have effected change but the current day has more required improvements. Can I do it? Then there [...]
As the sun rose, a nightmare unfolded. I heard the voice of my late mother as clear as day. "Crystal, your father can't find you." After I heard my name, screams erupted and I woke up in fear. This ruined my cortisol protection. Human connection was needed immediately, and I [...]
I had just pulled up from Starbucks. As I stepped out of my car, I heard my name. I looked up and saw a truck from the city. He said that the city had sent him to disconnect my water. When I saw the bill, the shock slowly crossed my [...]
It was time for me to learn how to apply make up to my face. Again. The class included a brand new set of brushes. The best part of it all? Warrick used the make up that I owned to show me how to do my face. The tips and [...]
A little girl was sobbing profusely one morning in my classroom. I finally went over to her and said, "What is wrong sweetheart? Why are you crying?". She couldnt find her pencil pouch. I told her to go to her classroom to look for it. Go to security. I did [...]
I sat in the middle of her kitchen watching her prepare healthy delights. The flavors made my taste buds explode as I resisted the urge to lick the plate. Leaf after leaf. Green after green. The sore throat that tickled as the sun rose magically vanished without medication. My body [...]
My heart was so big and full watching my students perform together on stage. The music was beautiful. All of our hard work and efforts paid off just in time for the show. I was so pleased with everything. Then I got into my car and drove home to an [...]
A new theme has surfaced this year. Women have been mentioning that they ask themselves if they deserve something that they want. An upgrade, that new piece of jewelry, a vacation. This is extremely disheartening to me. These women work hard seven days a week. They are mothers, wives, [...]
As the National Day of Mourning approaches, my nervous system is almost regulated. Survival mode has been in full effect for a while now. I finally came up for air at the beginning of the month. Financial resources made themselves available and I was able to handle everything including the [...]
Our first meeting was three years ago during the chaos of the pandemic. I was asked to play as she engineered words. We had mere moments to connect with each other prior to the performance. My scripted music was thrown out the window in favor of pure artistry. What happened [...]