Another day in Paradise

Winter in San Diego

....

Reality Check Please!

A flurry of activity, all work related. 

Hiring new staff, sending out rejection letters to those who did not make the cut. Figuring out what happened to all of course approvals and how are we going submit our academic files on time when half of the half time team is out of the office. 

Don't forget Black History Month activities. How am I going to write this speech, pick up our keynote speaker, right after meeting with an obviously disturbed student who wants to come back after ten years absence to get her credential...now

Then I talk to my sister. 

She just attended a funeral of a 43 year old man. He was on his way to pick his 3 kids up from school. He was killed instantly in a head on collision.  The service was inspiring from my sisters account. The Reverend speaking in that beautiful way black preachers have about them. His message: Live your life because although you may not make the appointment, you will certainly not miss your appointment with death.  We can go at exit 7, 35, 43, or 75. Most often we don't know which will be our exit on this highway of life.

I like that metaphor. I connected with it.

Then my sister told me that she got a call from her doctor.  You see, she has been suffering a number of symptoms that concerned her for some time. She confirmed today that she has fibroids on her uterus and is recommended for a hysterectomy.

I was stunned. Happy that it was not cancer or something horrific like that, knowing that this is pretty bad in itself. But this, you can recover from, I am taking comfort in that. Before this, it was my sister who sat online researching what all of her symptoms could mean. Alternately frightening and relieving herself with these attempts at self diagnosis. Now it is me....online finding out what happens during this procedure, what to expect... what is going on?!

Deep breath...

A Journey of 1000 miles....

begins with the first step. Lao Tzu

This morning at 7am, I was the first to arrive at my polling station. The 70 year old man in charge was still getting his crew of 4 prepared for the voters. Before officially opening, I watched them take an oath to be honest in the process. I was excited. This is the first time in my voting life that I have the opportunity to vote for a truly viable African American candidate, that I support. Obama is certainly not the first African American to run for Commander in Chief of these United States. There was Shirley Chisolm in 1972, Jesse Jackson, Alan Keyes, Al Sharpton (come on now) and Carolyn Mosley Braun have all run for the post. None have reached this phase that Obama has today. In the lifetime of my parents, who lived in segregation, who picked cotton in their youth to make money... they have the opportunity to vote for a Black man for President of these United States. And I love his slogan... "Yes We Can!"



To make it even more interesting, we have viable qualified female candidate. This is like a sea change, a paradigm shift that truly is incredible, and I am so happy to be here, experiencing it.

So I voted. Tears came to me as I drove away in my car... Let's hope it counts.

Walking through the halls at work, I felt lighter...confident.. 'yes I can'...
As I turned the corner, there was a nice looking lady waiting in the lobby area with her computer talking with our director. The director stopped me and said, "Pamela, have you met Sally Ride?" My internal voice screamed "Sally Ride! my goodness, the first female astronaut! I want your autograph!" All of this while externally I smiled, shook her hand and told her how wonderful it was to meet her. That we were so excited to have her on faculty now as Emerti. She was gracious and funny.

A day of firsts to be sure. Of emotions that are difficult to share. Of hope...confidence....historical precedence. A Black History Month to remember.

Today, whatever your political affiliation... I hope you took the time to cast your vote. To help lay the path to the future.