Do you recall as a child not
wanting to turn out like your parents? I think we all have at some point. But
what usually happens is the very thing we fought against at a young age, comes
to pass and reveals itself. And now I am
so grateful that it has come to fruition in my life.
I write colloquially or use clichés sometimes, because I
have experiences that are thought-provoking and memorable. Therefore, I jot
down my coffee thoughts, dubbed, ‘Coffee and Thee’. More importantly, I had a very wise mentor who
passed on many gifts and taught me so much about life, living and loving… my
Mother.
There ‘were’ six of us; four girls and two boys and each
could attest to the fact that our mother literally LIVED for us. She worked as
a Maid for many years, and then became what they called in her days, a
Beautician and a Seamstress. She toiled countless hours, sometimes throughout
the night and just LOVED her coffee. It was the first thing we would smell in
the mornings and the last thing at night. I was her ‘coffee-maker’ so to speak;
consequently I vowed I would NEVER drink the stuff! Now, “I drink coffee and I AM my Mother’s child!” As a single mother she
demanded an education from us, respect her, ourselves, and others. But first
God! Proverbs 3:6 KJV In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
My mother was a woman of PLENTY words! But the thing I
remember the most is that no matter what she said or how she said it, it was
profound!
This is an excerpt from my memoirs - ‘Mama Said’.
Mama said- If God said it,
it’s guaranteed!
Mama said- The good Lord
knows jus’ what you need
Mama said- You gittin’ too
big for yo britches, huh?
Mama said- Chile, don’t
ever burn yo bridges
Mama said- A hard head
makes a soft behind
Mama said- You might think
he’s late, but he’s ALWAYS on time
Mama said- “Boy I brought
you in this world, and I’ll take you out!”
Mama said- You might run,
but you CAN NOT hide
Mama said- His time is NOT
yo time... His way… not yo way
Mama said- Don’t worry
‘bout tomorrow, live for today
Mama said- If it don’t
fit, don’t force it
Mama said- Don’t buy it,
if you can’t afford it
Mama said- You ‘git’ what
you give
Mama said- You only got
one life to live
Mama said- God’s gonna
ALWAYS carry you through
Mama said- If you make one
step, He’ll make two
I remember, Mama, what you
said. Your words of wisdom stay in my head. These seeds I’ve planted in my
children’s head. So, they too will remember what Mama said.
PJ Payne
