Sometime ago I discovered that I do my best writing when I let go. It seems like I do my best anything when I let go (including playing golf). In other words, most of the time things work out better when I don’t try too hard, don’t get too cerebral; just LET GO AND RELAX.

There is power in “LETTING GO’. Not thinking too hard. Because I let go doesn’t mean I don’t care, of course I do. In fact, it may sound counter intuitive but when I’m  sometimes able to ‘let go’ it allows me to care more. I open myself up to all of the positive universal blessings I’m able to receive. However, the DPL doesn’t have any deadlines , but if you do have one; you can still practice the art of letting go by not putting too many restrictions or expectations on yourself and live in the moment.

We writers can always find something to write about or let that something write us. So, why does  such a term as ‘WRITER’S BLOCK’ exist anyway?  Is it just a way of saying that we either don’t have the time, can’t find the time, lack energy and ideas, too hot, too cold, too hungry… Pick which excuse you want…I’ve used them all and then some.

This time as I started writing I thought of someone very dear to me; my lovely fourteen month old granddaughter ZHURI.   As I pondered a title for this blog, this book came to mind: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, a memoir by Mitch Albom about a series of visits to his former sociology professor Morrie Schwartz who had ALS.  Since I’ve decide to do somewhat of a spin off of the title, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, I figure I might as well commit to read it one day.

When my oldest daughter, Ashleigh, was pregnant with Zhuri, some of my friends (who were also grandparents) told me that I’m going to be over the moon with joy. I’ll admit I was truly happy to have my first grandkid on the way to join my others (through marriage age ranging from twelve to seventeen). I thought it was a bit of an exaggeration. Happy, yes. But over the moon happy?

I knew what, “OVER THE MOON WITH JOY” meant after Zhuri was born and I held her in my arms after she was born. I felt weightless as if I was actually on the moon. It had been some twenty-eight years or so since I held a newborn baby in my arms (my youngest daughter Mariah). It was surreal.  It was hard to refrain from holding her up to the heavens like that scene in the movie, ‘ROOTS’.

We started watching her when she was only six weeks old. It was an immediate bond.  After giving Zhuri her bottle and patting her lightly on her back until she burped, she would then fall asleep  on my chest just like her mom did so many years ago. My parenting skills were slowly coming back.

Since we are retired, any day of the week would have been good but we quickly staked our claim on Thursdays. Ashleigh and her dad (Mike) agreed and it was settled. THURSDAYS would be our whole day with Zhuri, which soon came  to her staying over night to Friday. This became our set day in addition to any other days we are needed.

This was more than serendipity to me. This was a blessing, divine intervention. I was still here. And very grateful to be around to witness this little one grow before our very eyes. She brings so much joie de vivre. I read to her, sing to her (she doesn’t care about my voice or what key I sing in), read poetry to her, play KUMBYA on the guitar,  TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR on the harmonica. She keeps us entertained and we entertain her. And now we’re at the next phase;  she has graduated to walking  and following us, moving about the house on her own mission. Before she arrives, I take my vitamins for the day.

It is especially nice to know that there are many more African American authors of children’s books than there were when my daughters were growing up. And also so wonderful to actually know an African American author, KARA OLIVER (a close friend of Ashleigh’s) who has written a children’s  book beloved by Zhuri called, YOU GO, GIRL!

This little beautiful girl has brought so much joy to all of those around her. Children have the uncanny ability of helping us to think beyond our capabilities. Believe it or not I find that there is a certain freedom to sometimes step outside of my box and into her world for a moment. There are somedays when Zhuri isn’t  here and I still get up in the morning singing, “if you’re happy and you know it clap your hands…”

I must admit it feels good to know that  Zhuri has been the spark that ignited her mom to tap into and explore writing. And also gratifying to see that Ashleigh has started her own blog,  https://www.beyondmamahood.com/

So, whether you are a seasoned parent, brand new, one on the way or thinking  that you might wanna be a-baby-mama: you may find her introspective thoughts on being a working parent/ mom very interesting as well witness her and Zhuri grow together.

My wife and I look forward to not only Thursdays but any day with Zhuri. I am grateful that (so far) I’m in good health. She looks forward to me doing push-ups with her on my back just like her mother and sister did when they were her age. Now, I’m thinking, perhaps I shouldn’t have introduced push-ups into the equation. I hope my back can hold out for a few more years.

I have to continue to do my best to stay in shape. Keep a watchful eye on my health…

AND FOR THOSE LEGGOS ON THE FLOOR.