It is such a pleasure to greet you once again as we come together in sisterhood and fellowship to celebrate us.
As I was preparing for this day, I was thinking about the wonder of me.   Now I know that may sound a bit vain, but just listen because I believe that you will be able to identify with the wonder of you as well.
As women, ladies, and mothers, many times we don’t take the time to really appreciate all of who we are and what we have been endowed with.  So on a day such as today, I think it’s only fitting to give that subject matter some attention and allow the onlookers to marvel at the Masters.

The wonder of me – I get up every morning at 6am sharp, to start my day.  It doesn’t matter that I may be exhausted from a night of sitting up until 3:00AM  at the bedside of my child who had a restless night and needed the comfort and presence of her mother.  

I dare not deny her.  

And now I have to stroke her out of slumber knowing that she is going to be cranky and maybe a bit ungrateful because she would rather hide under the covers than get up and face today.  I am patient but clear, it is time to get up and there is no hiding away from the world until we have met our obligations of the day.

 I dare not let her be a coward.

The wonder of me – I prepare myself for the day.  Shower, make-up or my natural beauty or maybe I’ll just allow my natural beauty to glow through the make-up.  Hair has got to be laid whether it’s natural, weaved, braided, crocheted or permed.  My outfit, business suit, corporate comfortable casual slacks or dress jeans, or maybe I’ll wear a pretty skirt to show off my legs.  Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, scarves, rings, got on all of my matching or flamboyant accessories.  Come on, you know I have got to put on my heels, but I will bring a nice pair of flats, just in case.  Now it’s not a “must go broke to impress wardrobe” but it is fly and fierce because I am wearing it and I know I look good.  

I dare not leave my woman-ness at home.  

And even though I know I have spent too much time on the superficial, checking texts, emails, social media updates and just plain lollygagging, I must make time to be still, be thankful, be appreciative for the opportunity and promise of this day and that which is also given to my family and friends and give dedicated attention to the Presence of Majesty that has permitted the wonder of me.  

I dare not express gratitude.

The wonder of me – I am going out into a world that holds promise and pitfalls.  I am sending and giving my sons and daughters into a world of promise and uncertainty.  There will be miles between us and I won’t know how their day is going.  I am going into an environment where I can explore and realize my abilities, where I will meet and make friends, and cross paths with people who will bolster me or those who try to sabotage my success.  I will concentrate, laugh, accomplish assignments, complete tasks, be frustrated by foolishness, traffic jams or delayed transportation.   But I do this because I am alive and I have a calling of holistic living and I need to pay the rent and mortgage.

 I dare not quit.  I dare not give up.  I dare not stop.  

And I do all of this with one eye and ear looking and leaning towards the well-being of my unseen children because they are out exploring and enjoying the world.  They are creating a path of their own separate and apart from me while navigating first love, clothes, academics, popularity, social media frenzy, career choices, laughter, friendship, self-image and sadness.  And oh my God, my baby girl just bloomed into the next season of her life.  Hope she has everything with her that she needs.  And my sons, sports and safety and girls and safety fun and safety and testosterone and safety and career and safety and safety and safety and safety.  Lord bring my children home to me!!

I dare not prevent them from living fully.  

I dare not stunt their experiences because of my fears.  Because yall know, I will move mountains and leap tall buildings at a sing bound, I will make magic out of commonness, I will turn $25 into a $100, (trust me, I have had to do it) and I will turn famine into a feast for my babies, and I don’t care how old they are, they are my babies.  

But I dare not keep them from growing into men and women of character, means, and independence.

The wonder of me – I said all of this just so we can know and acknowledge some of all of what we do.  And it is Absolutely Amazing.

But the one thing that I/we can never do is be a father.  And that’s okay, because that’s not what we are called to be.  We are great mothers and we are great women.  And even though you may not know his name, maybe you have never seen him, or maybe you knew him but don’t agree with the role he has played or not played in the lives of my children which is really not your business….. No matter, my children do have a father.  

I am a whole lot of superlatives and sometimes I even surprise myself with what I am able to accomplish, but even with all of that, I can’t reproduce by myself.

 I dare not assume Supreme Intelligence got that wrong.

 So as much as I appreciate the sentiment and understand, though I know at times that some folks are just trying to be messy …. Anyway let me not go there……  But I am asking you Please don’t call and wish me a Happy Father’s Day.  Yes I protect and yes I provide but, I am all woman.  A father is a man, a dude, and they handle their business in a way that I know nothing of nor can I replicate it.  And if you think about it even children say “mommy” and “daddy” with different voice inflections and expectations.  I do not confuse my role and purpose in the life of my children.  I am a damn good mother and proud of who and what I am.  

I dare not assume the experience of what it means to be a father.

 I dare not walk in shoes not prepared for me.
And that too is the wonder of me.