Dear Friends, Family and Fans,
This morning I woke up and got hugged up! Not by a physical person, but by a gift. A few months ago, I received a throw. I think thats what its called, a kind of small blanket used to throw on a bedspread, as decoration, or to throw around you, for warmth.
I know something about the process it took to make it because I went through some of it with my sister-love (a sister by love). When we spoke by phone, she would say she was working on a project. She never said what it was, or the purpose it was to serve, but shed share some aspects of the process while we talked. There was a special yarn color she was looking for. I was on the phone with her when she found it. We celebrated, even though I didnt know what the color was, or how it was ultimately going to be used. Or one time, the crocheted/knitted stitches did not come out as she desired, so she pulled all the stiches out and started again. Whatever she was creating was obviously a labor of love.
I admit, I suspected the project had something to do with me. She had mentioned how much she liked my rose-colored bedspread when she last visited me. My suspicions were confirmed. I received the lovely addition to my décor. It matched my bedspread exactly, while giving it an additional spark. So, every day, I made certain to make my bed first thing in the morning so my gift can be displayed all day. But not today. I needed more.
There is so little physical contact during this period of social distancing and being sequestered in place due to the viciousness of the current pandemic. I needed a hug. I wasnt cold, but I took the throw off the bed and wrapped it around my shoulders. It became my hug.
During this time, we need to get our hugs from unusual places. Perhaps this is the time to look for reminders of items with love attached to it. Maybe the necklace, earrings, gloves, scarf or hat (or in my case even a wig a new best friend took off her head after her fabulous singing performance, saying Just let me take the hairpins out of it, and comb my hair) given after you admired it. Or maybe an inexpensive gift: a sign proclaiming something you enjoy; a tee shirt in your favorite color; a coffee cup with a special saying; or a trinket bought based on a thought of you. Signs of generosity of spirit and loving hugs. When you find it, let it be your hug.
Perhaps this is the time to get our hugs from the deepest recesses of our heart and mind, from behind the misunderstandings, hurt and anger that separated you from a person you once loved. Maybe this is the time to search your heart, soul and spirit and ask God to help heal you so you can forgive by remembering the love you shared before the virus of hurt and anger consumed you. The person doesnt need to be hugged in public or to even virtually hug you back. Social distancing can work with this. Just let your spirit give and receive the virtual hug from a time long past. Give it. Receive it and move on. Give yourself the gift of forgiveness. And stay hugged up.
Love and realness,
#lindamichellebaron
​www.mylindamichellebaron.com

Dear Friends, Family and Fans,

This is me, 4 days into my 70th birthday, celebrating life! My number #1 gift is my joy. I carry it with me. I share it. I embrace it. I thank God for it. Okay, maybe it’s in the top 3, along with love and faith. This joyous outing was a Tina-fest....Tina Turner, of course. I cannot dance particularly well, nor sing at all. So forgive me Tina. But I’ve got joy. Yes, I co-opted the evening and made it about my birthday. But I couldn’t do it alone. Yes, I had my pose’ of loved ones with me. But others, members of an organization, who have become my sister friends, and their friends, families and spouses, or significant others, circled me and allowed me to celebrate the life God gave me with all the joyfulness that consumes me.
In the African tradition the sacred and the secular are interwoven. I come from that tradition. And I can't help but believe my joy comes from the Lord God. I keep that joy in my very being because I know He is with me. I know He loves me in spite of what I do or what people think. I have joy because I know He Lives within my heart.
Love and realness,
#lindamichellebaron
www.mylindamichellebaron.com

We are currently sequestered. March 30, 2020. Well, where is the silver lining? I believe I’ve found at least one. I’ve used much of this time to de-clutter, reorganize and reflect. I’ve discovered hundreds of photographs from my family, friends and professional experiences that span over fifty years. What a gift of laughter, joy, some of loss, but mostly great memories. I located 4 of the books given me, perhaps 6 years ago, written by my mentee/now daughter, who is known as Lady Charmaine. One of the books included a photograph of me with her uncle and sister from when she was in the 5th grade. She claims me as her inspiration. I am more than honored. The “find” reminded me why she has gone above and beyond the call of duty to enrich my social media presence during the last 5 years or so.

I located several more of my father, the renaissance man’s, copper art; reminded how much my brother has his artistic gifts, and even found a typed card I created for my mother and father for their 18th wedding anniversary, written when I was 15 years old. It took me back to a time when we were all together, as a family, my mother, father, brother and beloved dog, during a period when I felt love and loved, even though there were strong indications of serious marital discord.

An excerpt from the oversized card typed on construction paper reads:
“If money is the root of all evil than this card is sent from one of the most angelic and spiritual minded of all earthbound creatures, because of my complete lack of that terrible evil. If any gift is to symbolize my deeply felt devotion, it is all the better that I have none, for it would only serve to belittle my love. I would, if possible, keep up with tradition by presenting you with some relic of my affection, not to minimize but to show how minute anything is in this world, compared to you. This card is expensive in as much as no amount of money could buy the gratitude, sincerity or love presented with this card. Your heart is the scale that judges its worth…

I to have had the same sense of humor back then, and the same belief that money doesn’t make a person or situation rich, even though my writing style was more “passive voice” back than, than “active,” I recognize aspects of my evolving voice.

Less than a year ago, during another time of de-clutterng, reorganizing, and reflection, I found a note, that I almost discarded in my attempts to clear my space. My mother must have begun jotting it down on 3 by 3 inch notepad shortly before she transitioned, it read:
“My dear, dear Linda. I love you and have loved you more than life itself, not for your accomplishments, but for you being your caring, loving, understanding and giving, not only to me but of everyone. Sugar, I know that you’re going to miss me because we have been so close, but we both know that sometime it would happen. But know this--You made made my life worth living and gave me all that I could ask for and more for a Daughter”

I keep her note by my bedside. When we are no longer required to “stay in place,” I’m going to find a way to secure it so that the type won’t continue to fade. But if it does, I still have the memory of the love in those two square sheets of paper indelibly printed in my heart.
I found journals and programs reminding me of institutions, events, honors and awards, many of which I had forgotten receiving. But none come close to that short, unfinished draft, jotted down by my mother.
I also found letters with poems written by children with photographs sent by their teachers and administrators, some of which I had written acknowledgements, unfortunately, were unsent. They were in envelopes, waiting for a stamp. Please forgive me!!

Today, I leave an unfinished love note to all of you. I hope, whenever I transition, you find the love note and whatever else time will allow me to add to it. Please remember that I am the composite of a loving family (and extended family), unbelievable friends, caring educators, a rich culture, and an awesome God. You have made me whatever I am now, and whatever else I’m allowed to become. Thank you for loving me, sometimes in spite of my missteps, which you often recognized as coming from my best intentions. I have to also thank the one or two of you who may not have acted with the best motives toward me, but who God used to build a better me.
I have heard it said that we need to “love out loud.” So, this is my shout out!!! I don’t expect this to be the last time. Whenever that last time is, though, know that the collective you, with God’s blessings, have given me the best most astounding life. That I do know!! Perhaps the silver lining for you will not be the de-cluttering, reorganizing, or even the reflection…but rather taking this time to recognize all of the gifts you’ve been given. All of the people in your life who loved you into becoming you, and of course…being thankful for what Mary Mary proclaims as “the God in you!”
​
Love and realness,
#lindamichellebaron
​www.mylindamichellebaron.com

Dear Friends, Family, and Fans,

​I feel totally blessed. And let’s be clear, this isn’t my most affluent season. And I’ve had better professional evaluations, and feedback in any number of areas in my life. And yet I still feel so blessed. What’s the song... “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done.” I could not even begin to count the ways I feel loved and covered and protected. Before this first month of the new year of the new decade ends I’d like to challenge you to join me and give witness to your blessings.
​
Love and realness,
#lindamichellebaron
www.mylindamichellebaron.com

Dear Friends, Family and Fans,

When I speak to students the first question they ask me, after asking
"How old are you?",
is
“Are you rich?“
My answer is always the same,
whether my finances are on the rise,
or in the dump.
“Yes, I am rich.”
I know what they are asking and what I am answering are actually two different things.
They want to know if my “work” as a author/poet/presenter/publisher/professor affords me all the luxuries of the fab life, while my concept of rich is having a joyous, love-filled, health-filled life. During my interactions with the young people my goal is to invite them to embrace my definition of rich. What I know is, the streets will win if our children think bling is the only important thing. We have to be advertisements for a life full of fun, family faith, friends, and yeah, its important to add being physically and financially fit. If the other definition of rich wants to join in…that works for me.
Love and realness,
#lindamichellebaron
www.mylindamichellebaron.com

Dear Friends, Family and Fans,
Lisa Woodard wrote to me via my website and Instagram to please share my poem that I referenced in my last blog post. To Lisa and all who wanted to read my poem, this is dedicated to you.
Love and realness,
#lindamichellebaron
www.mylindamichellebaron.com


They Better Ask Somebody!!!

A Renaissance.
rebirth, renewal, resurgence, revitalization,
us
revival, recovery, reawakening,
us
a Renaissance

Standing in our truth, being the living proof of God’s handiwork
Made first and built to last
us
Designed In God’s image
Beautiful, brilliant
And so much more
us,
His first created.
He celebrated by giving the world to us
And everything in it

I don’t know what some folks are thinking,
Or what they must be drinking
But I profess and declare
We are not going anywhere
We stand our ground!!!
And embrace what’s ours
Our country tis of thee
Ours
all of it
Not asking for a piece of it
we already own it
This is ours
We are the ones who grown it
It’s our right
God given
And we’re taking it.
We have a major stake in it
Its our reward for making it


We are not taking any mess,
Not devolving into stress
We just shine brighter
Keep reinventing ourselves, renewing ourselves
No more begging for the right
To get what our blood, sweat and tears paid for
We are walking in the light
Exuding what we are made for
We are mobilized, and energized,
Tough and rough
More than enough

And this poem’s for us
For us who have survived
Who will survive,
Whose momentum cannot wait
For us who made first place
Though they called us second rate
For us who were ignored
So they think we got here late
For us who know our history
And will set the record straight
For us who’ve been unloved
But don’t need to practice hate
For us taught seven wonders
Whose survival created eight.

For us…carried here as freight
For us…able to take the weight
For us…redefining our own fate
For us who prove us great
This celebration is for us.

Dear Friends, Family and Fans,
Yesterday was National Tattoo Day. Although I’ve never desired a tattoo, I’m reminded of one of my godsons, Carl Huggins, who is a tattoo artist. Many of his tattoos are exquisite in detail and creativity. Because of him I realize that some, or perhaps many, tattoo artists are talented beyond what can be captured on human skin. Several years ago he told me I was “sleeping” on his talent by not having him illustrate any of my books. He had seen the cartoon type artwork on my Aesop-based fable, “Anthony Ant & Grady Grasshopper.” I took him up on his offer to illustrate a second book I based on a concept from an Aesop fable called “The Lion and the Man.” He did a wonderful job bringing my narrative to life. I had unwittingly placed his artistry in a box, not recognizing the width and breadth of his gift. The cover of the book is featured in this blog post. My message for today is, many of us have multiple gifts that we are “sleeping on.” Let’s wake them up. WAKE UP!!!
​
Love and realness,
Lindamichellebaron
www.mylindamichellebaron.com

Dear Friends, Family and Fans,

They Are Our Children

By Lindamichellebaron

Pants below their rear

Their eyes wear a blank stare

They don’t seem to care

So why should we?

It’s our job. Not just a job. They are our children.

The language they use is crude

Their behavior is beyond rude

The girls come to school half nude

They do not seem to care

So why should we?

It’s our job. Not just a job. They are our children.

They refuse to pay attention

They don’t seem to fear suspension

They don’t even care about retention

They just don’t seem to care,

So why should we?

It’s our job. Not just a job. They are our children.

They are perpetually mad

They are always ready to "JUMP BAD"

Where is there Mom or Dad?

Their not here; if they don't care

Then why should we???

It's our job. Not just a job. They are our children.

The collective WE, that means YOU and ME...

Must lift them beyond their hard facade

beyond the masks they wear

to hide their fear

Lift them up with our collective care

It's our job. Not just a job. They are our children.

©2011 By LIndamichelle Baron All Rights Reserved

Love and realness,
Lindamichellebaron
www.mylindamichellebaron.com