Thinking Out Loud

Well I suppose in order for there to be balance there must be good with the bad, huh? First, I’ll start with the good. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with my family, with the exception of my brother’s absence, as his station was called to southern California in case there were anymore fire outbreaks. I have a small family, so celebrations are generally intimate and relatively quiet. Certainly my sister-in-law who comes from a larger family brings the loud excitement into the household, which we all welcome and enjoy, yet somehow enjoy the solitude once she leaves. No offense to her, it’s just sometimes it’s a bit much. Again, with all that being said we had a wonderful time, alhamdullilah.

Now for the flipside. I decided to call my grandmother (mom’s mom) who lives in southern California. She’s 86 years old and still lives on her own, alhamdullilah. Our families (grandmother and mom) have never been close---apparently there’s some issues between the mother and daughter that have gone all these years unresolved, which I can only continue to pray get resolved before either of them depart this planet, inshallah. Even though there’s not much closeness with our families, I still try to remain in contact through holidays, special occassions, etc. So, on Thanksgiving day I decided to call grandma and wish her a “happy thanksgiving”. She never answers her phone---it always goes to voicemail for her to listen to whose calling. So, I identify myself and continue to leave small talk on her voicemail until she picks up as I know this is her routine. She answers the phone so cheery and pleased to hear from me. She tells me her plans for the day and what she’s been up too. She then ask me if I’m getting ready to go to Jr’s, to which I just kind of blow off to perhaps her being a little confused because Jr is my cousin. Then she says, ‘well you know how your mom is with her lead foot”, and laughs. I quickly realize she thinks I’m my cousin, Kim. I tell her this isn’t Kim, grandma, it’s me, Ibeebarbie. “Oh, oh I’m so sorry”, she says. Instantly her tone changes, almost a little meloncoholish, which I find interesting, and then our conversation goes something like this. She ask in a somber tone how Amira and I are doing, to which I respond we are doing well. “Oh good, glad to hear it”. “I’ve been getting along ok, you know aches and pains and such”, she says. Then as if this isn’t a strange enough conversation she says, “so, did you find a man yet?” “No grandma, I haven’t”, I said. “Are you sure? What’s wrong?”, says she. “I don’t know grandma, just hasn’t happened yet.” “Oh, ok, so are you still dancing?”, ask she. “Yes grandma and so is Amira---she’s really enjoying it.” “Oh that’s nice. Have you lost any weight?”, ask her. At this point, I’m anxious to get off the phone because I’m tired of this crap as it always comes along with holidays and family stuff. We end our call with love for one another.

Get to my folks, and my dad starts in with “did you do something different with your hair?”. “No, dad. Just curled it.” “Oh”, with a smirk on his face…”it kind of looks like Hedy Lamarr's”, to which he starts laughing. Feeling so great about myself already because I have two strikes according to grandma because I don’t have a man and I haven’t lost weight dancing, now feeling the third strike cross the plate I’m being laughed at about my hair. Oh good grief---we still have Christmas and New Year’s to get through.

Quotes by Hedy Lamarr
"Any girl can be glamoous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid." Now, doesn't that seem like something to strive for?

"If you use your imagination, you can look at any actress and see her nude, I hope to make you use your imagination." Good grief! I have a pretty good imagination, but I can't get past that HAIR. I swear mine doesn't look like the one in the picture. LOL

Anyway, I'm still thankful for all God has bestowed upon Amira and I's lives, alhamdullilah.