As a Child

The amazing thing about children is they are so adaptable.  We have new neighbors that just moved in across the street.  My husband and I introduced ourselves and went along with the business that awaits parents.  Our brood of five were energetically entertaining themselves with a game called zombie tag.  It was a take on freeze tag except you play with your arms out like a zombie and your eyes squinted.  I guess there’s nothing new under the sun is there?  While peering out the window and trying to keep up with the work on my laptop I could hear them squealing with delight.  Our new neighbors have children.  One of them wanted to play.  As his mom crossed the street and gave him the ok to begin there was barely a moments’ hesitation and then he was off playing with our kids.  They ran up and down the sidewalk and lawn; laughing, yelling.  The exclusive sound of summer filled the air.  Especially after another neighbor kid busted out the super-soaker and splashed some who were not interested in a refreshing shower.  Of those splashed was our youngest daughter.  She came in the house full of emotion and brought her high pitched shrieks inside for comfort.  After reassuring her she would not melt it was time to go outside and regulate.  It was a 10 year old who was the perpetrator.  I didn’t have to say too much.  His demeanor was a non-verbal, “Aw man!” as he slumped his shoulders, dropped his head, and walked toward his house in embarrassment.  Kids are unabashedly themselves and their hellos are as genuine as some newly found tresure that had been lost in the dirt.  Have a wonderful day!

Hellos 14 and 15...Dynamic Duo

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall then one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.

                                                                                      Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
                                                                                      NKJV

Ahhhh, a breath of fresh air.  How can one describe?  Perhaps it is like the kicking off of your shoes and stepping onto a carpet of soft green grass.  Maybe it’s something you think of that spreads a smile on your face.  Freshness is what comes to mind when watching Antwan & Teaya in action. They are a continuation of the many wonderful Hellos I meant at the 2015 AMTC Shine Conference. These two multi-talented siblings found they share a passion for music and dance.   The bond they share is not impaired, but, blooming.  They are on the right track.  I had the pleasant opportunity to chat with them.  Of course I had to start with Mama Bear, Yvonne.  When asked if they always got along so well, the answer was a flat no.  There was a lot of irritation with one another.  Sharing a bedroom for 9 years requires installed due diligence.  She recalled how they would blame each other if their room was dirty.   As siblings are, it sounded as if they were always at each other.   When their exasperations became too much their mom would literally make them face each other until they worked it out.  To get them to take responsibility for their behavior in their dealings with each other she would have them complete the sentence, “I was wrong when I…”  It's true any relationship takes two.  Now that we know  how they settle their differences, let’s get down to how these two became the dynamic duo of dance and sound.

At a fairly young age Teaya and older brother Antwan discovered they wanted to take dance and music more seriously.  The 1980s movie Breakin sparked their love of dance and rap.  They would watch and mimic the characters.  They seemed to be attracted to Hip Hop and so the love affair began.  They found themselves in the midst of dance battles and Hip Hop culture.  But these two are well rounded when it came to their endeavors.  Diversifying themselves they watched Cats and Lord of the Dance.  (Can I say that is really cool!)  Teaya had taken every kind of dance one can think of.   From ballet to Irish dancing she does it all.  Her brother Antwon, whose stage name is King Twan, is an avid superhero fan who specializes in beats.  He has even released released a few tracks.  They are both becoming YouTube sensations only letting their light grow brighter while shaking the mountaintop.

Their relationship has inspired me in a fresh approach to my own siblings.  As with any relationship, it is one day at a time, one foot in front of the other.  High five and congratulations Antwan and Teaya!  All your hard work is paying off in more ways than one.  Shine on!  Have a wonderful day!

Possible

It was in the air.  A buzzing of sorts, the kind where you know great things are about to take place.  There were people everywhere.  Some were practicing their monologues, others their dance moves, still others were singing.  The movie Fame had nothing on this (whew, showing my age...uh-oh).  I remember standing in the registration line for my husband because he had to attend another function.  Two is better than one, right?  As I was standing there, three women were singing opera.  There voices were amazing.  A teenage girl in front of me was preparing a short video documentary.  Others were cracking jokes and still others seemed to be in quiet contemplation.  The air was one friendliness as passersby greeted each other with a smile or a cheery hello (no pun intended).  My dad always said people are people and I do agree, but, I think we are able to be more and expect more from each other.  Watching all of these folks made me think of this blog and how important it is for people to interact with one another.  You never know how the person standing next to you or passing you by got to where they are.  Things to ponder.  It is possible.  Have a wonderful rest of your day!