Category Global health and disparities

FMM 2 13 15 Casting the first stone

“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” ~Leonard Cohen This week we learned that Brian Williams, trusted news anchor, is human.  He apparently suffered from a tendency to embellish a story.  This is a characteristic of all good story tellers, but not one that is helpful in a person who is supposed to […]

FMM 2 6 15 To be a Pilgrim

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ~ John Bunyan On Monday I traveled upon a bouncing bus, retracing steps down the years to the town and school of my youth. I was in the company of like-minded people, sisters and brothers though different mothers, […]

FMM 1 30 15 The Writer in Me

“Let the world burn through you. Throw the prism light, white hot, on paper”~Ray Bradbury.   The other day I heard Oprah say something that clicked.  For those who don’t know, Oprah did not have the picture perfect upbringing surrounded by a loving supportive family.  Her childhood included molestation and rape, and a teenage pregnancy.  […]

FMM 1 16 15 What’s your Excuse?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” ~ Marianne Williamson   As a child I was raised with the expectation that no matter what, I would always do my best.  That gave me a work ethic that demanded that any job I was […]

FMM 1 9 15 Left Luggage

FMM 1 9 15 Left Luggage “Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over.” ~ Guy Finley. Jamaicans have a phrase, ‘two long hand’ which they use to describe a person who presents themselves with nothing to offer. Imagine you invite a guest over for a meal and they arrive […]

FMM 1 2 15 A New Attitude!

“And there is no new thing under the sun” ~Ecclesiastes 1:9  I woke up this morning to the sound of a rooster crowing.  This is unusual since I am currently in Bolton, a town on the outskirts of Manchester, England.  As I enjoy my annual trip to the land of my ancestors, I am struck […]

FMM 12 19 14 No assembly required

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” ~ Dale Evans For mothers of small children, Christmas can be a challenging time.  To read the words ‘batteries not included’  as a present is being opened on Christmas morning sends a tingle of panic as you realize […]

FMM 12 12 14 Lose the Conditions!

“The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves as well.”~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross We all agree that love is a wonderful thing. If we are lucky we grow up surrounded by a loving family, and take love for granted. When we become adolescents it becomes […]

FMM 12 5 14 Where Healing Begins

“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” ~Mahatma Gandhi. It is troubling to live in a world where injustice appears to be the norm. Where bad news is distressing but not surprising; where people of color (especially the males) have to think defensively and act as if anything they […]

FMM 11 28 14 With a Song in your Heart

“What day is it?” “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My favorite day,” said Pooh.” ~ A.A. Milne.   I had space in my day yesterday to discover the beauty of Dania Beach, and be grateful.  I could hear reggae music playing, not only in my mind (Beres singing “But I’m giving thanks”) but also from the beachside […]