I am on the phone, my lips poised to wrap around a salacious complaint. Anticipating this tasty indulgence, my eyes roll. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my word wand hanging on the wall. The wand is wrapped in satin ribbon with delightful helpings of red and purple beaded fringe. The cowries and feathers evoke ancient artifacts. The bells hanging at the end call to me. The word wand reminds me that negative speak is like a meditation and a prayer for more of what I do not want. I switch the channel.

The symbolic arts do what the intellect alone cannot. Making a symbol of a metaphysical truth or spiritual law helps me immediately apply, embody, and test ideas that ring true, but quickly fade without practice. For umpteen years, I had understood intellectually the importance of speaking words that affirm health, wealth, and well-being. Nevertheless, frequently, I would lapse and speak words that undermine my well-being. My word wand, a symbolic art form, reminds me to stay on point.

Human beings tap into the mind via our hands and fingers. Just as these letters, words, and sentences are symbols of ideas, art materials (i.e. colors, drawn or painted images, and decorations such as shells, feathers, string, and glitter) make up a symbolic language. Handling the materials help us to grasp higher principles with our being as well as our mind.

Vision Carriers’ symbolic art workshops revolve around ideas such as God cannot fill lack, but She can fill a vessel open and ready to receive abundance. This idea is the basis of Open to Receive: The Sacred Vessel. In The Red Shoes: Standing in Your Own Power, participants create a pair of red shoes to remind them to stand up for their birthright—creative self-expression.¹  The Red Shoes, is a story Clarissa Pinkola Estes retells in her book, Women Who Run with the Wolves. The story shows how detrimental it is to trade our vital creative selves for mere security. For other examples of Vision Carriers’ symbolic arts workshops [click here.]

The goal in symbolic or process art is not necessarily to create beautiful artwork. A demand and command for beauty exposes a petty petulant ego. The pleasure in making art stems from the interplay between our intention, materials, and our hands. This interplay generates artwork that is energetic, authentic, and striking. Defining or interpreting the artwork is not as relevant as the energy and intention that goes into making art.

I admire the red shoes I have created with layers of red lace, trim, gold glitter, black buttons, cameos of Harriet Tubman and Ida B. Wells and metallic paint. After a brief invocation, I slip my feet into my red shoes and stand up placing  my right foot forward to steady myself. I place my hands on the hips that propel me forward when I walk. I vow to be true to myself and to stand up for myself. Then I stomp my right foot three times to signify my resolve. I stomp my right foot to the east, north, west, and south, turning left on my left foot. In my closing prayer, I thank my ancestors and the trailblazers who have made a way for me. I take off my shoes and place the right foot facing the door, the left shoe pointing in the room signifying that in my comings and goings the Divine guides me.
 
The symbolic arts are a physical representation. The closing ritual is a physical act representing the inner attitude or change invited by the art. The closing ritual provides “a way of taking principles from the unconscious and impressing them vividly on the conscious mind. Ritual sends a powerful message back to the unconscious causing changes to take place at the deep levels.” ² The symbolic arts inspire a realization that all is well with my soul.

^{____________________
1} Inez Singletary midwifed this workshop inspired by “The Red Shoes,” a story Clarissa Pinkola Estes retells in her book, Women Who Run with the Wolves. This story shows how detrimental it is to trade our vital creative selves for mere security.

² Robert A. Johnson, Inner Work: Using Dreams and Active Imagination for Personal Growth.

When life hurts, it may seem as if Spirit is dead. When things are wonderful, we might not know how to catalyze our high spirit into a sustaining inner strength. Spiritual counseling helps individuals and/or groups to access Spirit and utilize Spirit in the midst of the perceived highs and lows of life. Spiritual counseling helps us ask some of the difficult questions about God and the nature of reality and explore those answers within. Spiritual counseling also offers a safe place to explore and develop spiritual practices that become anchors even in agitated waters and swift winds.

Spiritual counseling is not psychotherapy. The spiritual counselor’s calling does not directly involve the seeker’s psychological complexes. The spiritual counselor supports the seeker’s reliance on the seeker’s spiritual beliefs to help navigate significant life passages. While therapists typically meet with individuals weekly, spiritual counselors schedule their sessions every three or four weeks. However, the space between sessions is like a vessel where the seeker’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences are contained and catalyzed as valuable material for the upcoming session. A spiritual counselor, who is compatible with you, serves as companion, ally, witness, and conspirator on your path.

Who Benefits from Spiritual Counseling?

• Anyone going through a crisis or major life passage
• Artists dealing with creative blocks, burnout, or career frustrations
• Anyone who wants to develop a personal relationship with God or Spirit
• Anyone who is questioning the meaning of life
• Service providers in the areas of education, social work, family care, and the symbolic arts i.e. astrology and tarot

Possible Benefits from Spiritual Counseling

• Developing or strengthening your spiritual practice
• Creating and establishing personal rituals that zing with authenticity
• Discernment: Recognizing the Voice of Spirit from the voice of ego
• Creating a fulfilling prayer life
• The affirmation that comes from sharing your story and spiritual journey
• The transformation that comes about when we are heard.
• Tools that promote self growth
• Clarity about religious or spiritual ideals
• Awakening to one’s life mission and purpose

Deborah Singletary is an ordained interfaith minister, astrologer, and spiritual consultant. In addition to serving as an advisor for the One Spirit Interspiritual Counseling program, she is also a member of Spiritual Directors International

“The World ain’t coming to an end my friend; the world is coming to a start. I feel it in my heart”—Purlie Victorious.

“The affect of this transit (Uranus square Pluto) is to sweep away all the old and outworn structures that you have built up in your life”—Robert Hand

For many people, the planetary alignment in cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, and Capricorn) coincides with unexpected leavings and endings of jobs, relationships, and ideals. These changes shocking and unexpected changes happen despite attempts to control things. If you are experiencing sudden, disruptive changes, Life is graduating you. The timing, shocking and disorienting as it may be, is the right time for you to awaken and regain a sense of aliveness and wonder. View the unexpected as a higher calling and a realization of your heart’s desire, remembering that what’s in our hearts is often unconscious.

Although experiencing a rebirth in your lifetime is a profound opportunity and privilege, it can still feel scary. If your crisis feels overwhelming at times, ask for help and expect divine guidance. Find a therapist, spiritual counselor or astrologer with whom you click. Identify one or two people who will listen compassionately and help you keep your eye in the direction of the prize. You’re disoriented so that a new direction may be revealed to you. Learn to live gracefully with the unresolved. In any crisis, faith means knowing with certainty that there is a resolution that will emerge as the crisis is faced, embraced, and viewed as potential treasure. No matter what kind of loss you face—finances, health, creativity, lifestyle, home—orient yourself towards the mysterious Force that has brought you to this consequence. That Universal Force is within. What appears to be an end, loss, or mistake is a passageway to a new life.

Be Wise Like a Child

Much of what I understand about living the life we love is revealed by the painting process mastered by children. Children are art masters because they haven’t yet learned perspective, color theory, or how to draw anatomically correct people. Children paint from the inside out, they paint their biology, life experiences, and they paint their personal truths. They paint their true colors. Before they become overly acculturated and learn to make nice or get stuck in anger, children are naturally authoritative and open. They dare to say no! They dare to say yes! But in the hopes that they will be cared for and loved, way too many children grow into adults who cannot express themselves healthily.

Notice how frequently the sun shows up in children’s artwork. The sun is a symbol of self esteem! The sun in the sky symbolizes high self esteem. Children, when they are allowed to be children, instinctively know that they are one with the sun, that they are an expression of that primal life force burning brilliantly, forcefully, and uniquely as the sun.

You were once a child. Remember! Where is that child now? Is he or she languishing under duty, pressure, and numbingly appropriate or outrageously unskillful behavior. Is the child glimpsed in your spontaneous laughter, a willingness to try new things—your capacity to feel what you feel, show some emotion, and keep it moving? What did you love to do when you were a child? Do you recognize elements of what you loved to do in who you are now?

In art, the paint might drip and mess up your pretty painting. But I have discovered that when the so-called mishap is embraced rather than resisted it opens a portal to something energetic, soulful, and deeply moving in the painting. In the creative process of art and the art of living, I’ve learned to trust the process rather than tightly guard the product. Have faith. Rather than stare at or worry about the problem or product, pick up your brush and move it, or pick up your feet and walk away from the limited known to the expansive unknown. Do what is at hand, no matter how little and far from the goal it seems. This is how you have faith.

When the unexpected oops happens in life or in your artwork lift your eyes to the metaphorical sun in the sky and know that there are far more possibilities beyond the horizon than the ruin at your feet. A discovery is beckoning you, a new talent seeks expression, and an idea is being seeded within. Cultivate courage and recover your spirits and good humor. Be resilient. Have a leap of faith. And have fun.

Saturn, the celestial school teacher moved into Libra on Wednesday, July 21st, after being in Virgo for two and a half years. Saturn will be in Libra until October 5, 2012. I’ve already heard from Librans, Geminis, and Aquarians, that they are feeling the positive connection to Saturn’s energy. Some people are starting new companies, others are going back to weight watchers, and with my moon rising and North Node in Libra, I’ve started writing again with a passion. These are all positive side effects of Saturn in Libra, forming easily favorable aspects to some signs.

However, Saturn can also help the signs that are going to experience Saturn in a more intense and challenging way—Cancers, Capricorns, and Aries. For people born under these signs, the work will be more internal and provide an opportunity to raise self esteem through challenges to the self esteem. Watch what comes up for you and view it as a challenge to strengthen your resolve to be successful, joyful, and compassionate.

By the way, when Saturn moves into Libra, it will be exalted. That’s astrology speak that says we all can benefit more abundantly by this Saturn position. We’ll all be motivated to connect with others and form positive partnerships and relationships with Saturn in Libra, because Libra deals with relationships. When we get around to Libra in the Zodiac, we move from personal desire and self, to selflessness and collective accomplishments—from “I am” to “We are.” Saturn in Libra will inspire all of us to stop giving our power away. We’ll learn that our opinion of who we are is more important than what others may think. We have the opportunity to become focused on our own natural gifts and talents, while connecting with people who are lovingly supportive.

Libra rules the kidneys in the physical body, so it is vitally important to make a positive connection to water while Saturn is in Libra. Stay hydrated and be in water (while swimming is the best or long baths or showers also works.) On the spiritual level, Saturn in Libra will help us to rid ourselves of impure thoughts or speech. Gossip is the worst habit that humans possess, so going on a gossip fast is a good idea when Saturn is in Libra. If you’re focused on doing what you do, you won’t have time to gossip about what others are doing.

“Successful” people who are making money or enjoy a high profile, say they just don’t have time in their busy schedules to be sidetracked by gossip. When I counsel people who are not doing what they know they should be doing (everybody really knows what that is), they seem to be immersed in gossip and speak about what others are doing, or not doing.I love the story about Martin Luther King, Jr. and how he attempted to stop gossip within his organization. When someone would come to him with a juicy tidbit, he’d ask three questions: “is it true, is it kind, and is it necessary.” If the person couldn’t answer yes to all three, he didn’t want to hear it.

You might have noticed that lately relationships seem to be in turmoil, and many relationships are breaking up.The side effects of Saturn in Libra is that if the relationship isn’t working it will probably end . . . and that’s just, because everything is in Divine right order. Now’s the time for people to be with their Divine right mate. So while many relationships are ending, there just as many relationships beginning. Saturn in Libra will help people to know what it is they need in a healthy relationship. The good news is that people who really want to share their lives with a special partner, will find a way to connect with that special person. Saturn will teach us to first love ourselves unconditionally and then we’ll be able to love someone else unconditionally.

It’s all good, and it is all right.

Love you,
Ayesha

Deborah Singletary, One Force, 2010, Gouache, 36 inches x 51 inches

However, Inez and I were dazzled and delighted to spend four days together on the east coast speaking and presenting workshops.

First, on Wednesday, March 24th we traveled to Penn State for a reunion and panel on The National Black Feminist Organization (NBFO) Also on the panel were our sisters Jane Galvin-Lewis, Dr. Dorothy E King, and Eugenia Wiltshire. The National Black Feminist Organization began in 1975 when Margaret Sloan Hunter, an editor at Ms Magazine, envisioned an organization that would help Black women address the double oppression of racism and sexism. Sponsored by the Penn State Harrisburg Commission for Women and PenOwl Productions, we presented three times in two days and also enjoyed two luncheons with faculty and students of Penn State. Inez and I felt profoundly happy to be reunited with our NBFO sisters, several of whom we hadn’t seen in 30 years.

Panelists at National Black Feminist Reunion at Penn State: Front row: (L-R) Jane Galvin-Lewis, Deborah Singletary Back row: L-R) Eugenia Wiltshire, Inez Singletary, Dr. Dorothy King

On Saturday, we presented a workshop for the 5th Annual Women of Power: Modernity and Matriarchy in African Spiritual Traditions at the Dwyer Cultural Center in Harlem, New York sponsored by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute. Our workshop was on Moon Rituals and the conference was presented in conjunction with the exhibition, Wearing Spirit: Aesthetically Personifying the Feminine in African Sacred Traditions, curated by Shantrel Lewis. (I have two pieces i the show.)

On Sunday, we gathered branches, feathers, cowries, beaded fringe, wire, crystals, etc. and headed back to Harlem to present the Word Wand Workshop. Inez gave a talk about the power of the words we speak and why we must stand guard at the doorway of our minds. Creating the Word Wand provided a tool for lifting our thoughts since our speech is like a wand directing the Universal Creative Intelligence.

Inez just called to say she has arrived safely in Los Angeles. Forever, I treasure the time spent living my dream, serving as a vision carrier and being uplifted and inspired by the people with whom I met, worked, and dreamed.

Asé!

No one argues that play isn’t a necessary and healthy part of children’s everyday life. But, what about adults? Are we entitled to play? Most of us have the work thing down. Early on, we are taught that we have to work for a living and take care of others. When we are ailing, we are prescribed medicines, proper nutrition, and rest. In astrology, the fifth house precedes the sixth house of work and health suggesting that our total health is compromised when we overlook the benefits of fifth-house entitlements—play, self expression, and recreation.

Self Expression through Play

Some consider play trivial and frivolous compared to the work we must do to feed, clothe, and house ourselves and our families. However, play feeds the spirit—the animating force within! “Play is neither trivial nor unimportant, says astrologer Robert Hand. “It is in fact what being is.”

The ultimate form of life is not our bodies, but our being. Being is not existing passively. Being is a dynamic expression of the Creative Universal Intelligence that lives and moves and has its being through us. Whether we are holding a tennis racket, whirling on the dance floor, wielding a paintbrush or pen, dreaming up a new recipe, or toying with an idea in our mind’s eye, we are engaging the Divine Substance—the mind stuff of the Universe—play! Play is next to godliness because it provides connection with true substance—that from which all blessings flow: manna, and the formless universe. Connection without substance is addiction which is why substance abuse, including television and food, eventually strangles or interferes with the creative process.

Play, Work, and Fun

Play promotes the well-being that supports the work we do, so that we might play, so that we might be and express our divine nature. I believe we can have it all, including work infused with play. The primary characteristics of children absorbed in play are passion and focus. Their fulfillment comes through activity for activity’s sake, rather than what they will get out of in. “The aversion to work may be the failure to incorporate the value of play,” counsels Inez Singletary, Lunations editor. When working with adults who seek more fulfilling work, I ask them what they loved to play when they were children. The answer often provides clues to what they might enjoy doing as adults. Girls who played with dolls sometimes gravitate toward fields that involve a social network. A 40-year old man brightens when recalling he loved playing basketball and started looking for work (including volunteer work) that involved competition, fun, teamwork, and physical movement. We are blessed if we have work about which we are passionate. We are a blessing when we put passion and play in our work.

We were born with natural ability and talent which may or may not be valued because developing them is too much like play. We receive value when we express our talents, that is, make use of and thereby increase our inheritance—the gift of life!

Genuine Play May be Serious,
or Fun, but Always Beautiful!

I admit that my play often involves serious pursuits such as the art and science of astrology. Robert Hand explains, “ . . . at the root, science is the activity of people who enjoy asking questions about the universe . . .Science and astrology both require work, but the work only serves the ultimate activity, which is play.” If self-knowledge is essential to life, then play is essential to self knowledge. As we play, we glimpse ourselves being ourselves and thereby recreate ourselves truly. To paraphrase Heraclitus, we are most nearly ourselves when we achieve the seriousness of a child at play.

I invite you to play with me by taking my astrology course starting on Thursday, March 18 or the Make Art Word Wand workshop which takes place on Sunday, March 28.

It’s an honor and privilege to present Ayesha Grice as a guest journalist for “Artful Living” once again.
—Deborah Singletary

This is the second time in nine years that I’ve been urged to look at a chart to look for disaster. The first time was in 1999, when I was asked to do a radio show to give forecasts on impending disasters that were supposed to happen when we entered into the year 2000. It seemed the host of the show had been sending out doom and gloom

messages to his listeners for months. He really wanted me to come on the air to endorse his scary rants and had his producer give me a stack of articles on the subject to read before the show. Reluctantly I read the stuff, but then did what I always do, erected a chart and then meditated for guidance. Well, there weren’t any disasters on that day, but for sure the show was a disaster because the host was, let me say, “miffed” at me for giving my honest opinion.

So thanks to the recent doom and gloom movie, 2012, with graphic images of disasters, I’m in the same position as I was in 1999. The hype must have gotten to me on some level because when I first printed out the chart, I actually started looking for planetary aspects that would spell disaster. Then I remembered what I was taught and tried to look at the chart from an objective perspective and then went into meditation to ask for guidance.

But this time the stakes are even higher. All kinds of so called prophets are calling for the end of the world. As I looked at the chart I couldn’t help wondering if I could be looking at a piece of paper that foretold the end of times.

The first thing that popped out at me from the 2012 chart was a beautiful finger of God or Yod aspect. This is an aspect that isn’t seen in all charts and some astrologers don’t use them. However, there it was—a tight sextile (60 degree angle) between Pluto at 8 degrees of Capricorn, to Saturn at 8 degrees of Scorpio. Both Pluto and Saturn were forming a 150 degree angle (quincunx) to Jupiter at 8 degrees of Gemini. We call that a finger of God, or a Yod aspect, with the apex pointing at Jupiter. The message is to use the Jupiter in Gemini energy to expand and grow in consciousness. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, joy, laughter, praise, and thankfulness. When it’s in Gemini, the sign that says “I think” or “I write” or I do two things at one time,” looks like many of us will be thanking our lucky stars that we didn’t buy into the hype. We’ll be laughing at our fears or laughing at the poor souls who were hiding under their beds waiting for the end of the world.

We can make a choice right now to decide what our intentions will be for 2012. For one thing, there are Mayans coming forward to say that just because their calendar ends that doesn’t mean that disaster is coming. One Mayan Priest said that there’s another calendar that was overlooked by scientists. What we believe is that as we move closer and closer to 2012, the world as we know it, is changing. And, in case you didn’t notice, there have been weird and wacky weather patterns throughout 2009 that are sometimes mind boggling. Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, fires, mud slides, are happening now. So as we project into 2012, some people are missing what’s going on now. I can’t even get angry with the people who created that scary movie (2012) because as we know you can only create what’s coming through you. These folks are spiritual infants whose motivation is making money. They’re making money off the mindless folks who will pay to see the movie as a means of escape. But what movie goers don’t know, because they’re spiritual babies also, is that putting those fear messages into their subconscious minds is a dangerous thing. Sitting there and passively accepting the images wrapped in Dolby sound means they’re being set up to draw negative events in their lives.

I didn’t see anything in the chart for 2012 that said the end of the world is coming. What I do know deep down inside is that we are in the midst of a transformational shift in consciousness. This is the time to get in alignment with the reasons why we chose to be living at this time. It’s time to go for it, use our creativity more fully, to love ourselves and each other unconditionally, to do what we love and love what we do. The Hopi Elders* tell us to take the word “struggle” out of our vocabulary and consciousness and to approach everything with a spirit of joy and celebration. So, get on with it and enjoy the adventure. Love & Light, Ayesha
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*if you want a copy of The Hopi Elders Speak, email me at: ayeshagrice@gmail.com

Saturn, planet of discipline went into Libra on October 29th, and except for a trip back into Virgo (April 8 – July 21, 2010) it will basically be in the sign of peace for two and a half years.

At the beginning of my studies in astrology I always wondered why Saturn was exalted in Libra. In lay terms that means Saturn is at its best when in Libra. Wasn’t Libra the sign that advertisers were thinking of when they wrote “don’t let them see you sweat?” Libra has a reputation for being laid back, artistic, sweet, and polite. Libras sometimes need a push to get into the gym, to come out of their comfort zones, and to be independent.

When Saturn is in Libra they feel the urge to get on with it, to do what’s necessary (a Saturn word) and to make their dreams become a reality. Although Libra has the ability to see both sides of a story, when Saturn comes along they decide to take a stand, and stop trying to be liked by everyone. If you are a Libra, or have planets in Libra, you are probably feeling the urge to get moving again and pull off the back burner personal projects you’ve been dreaming about for years.

Saturn has a bad reputation from people (some astrologers) who don’t understand the Law of Karma. Saturn represents the Law of Karma. Karma is an impersonal principle that brings you the results of actions from your past according to how you’ve been living your life. People who are already on a healthy spiritual path should welcome Saturn. This is a time for cashing in on the good deeds and positive actions from the past. Saturn in Libra will influence all of us to get more serious about our creativity, one-on-one relationships, and our collective relationships. When Saturn goes into Libra, we’ve moved from rugged individualism and personality to group consciousness and unity. We’re moving from “I” to “we.”

If you’re in a relationship and it hasn’t been working for years, then Saturn in Libra will be the catalyst for ending it. If you’re not in a relationship, but want to be, Saturn in Libra will be the catalyst to inspire you to attract more love in your life. Saturn in Libra will bring what you’ve been thinking and talking about for years. When a relationship ends with Saturn in Libra, either one or both parties have been miserable for years. The good news is that you can change your karma by being proactive and seeking help to save the relationship. But you are going to have to stop talking about your partner to others, complaining and shaming him or her. The law of attraction only brings you what you’ve been focusing on. Change your mind, change your focus, and save the relationship. Generally, Saturn in Libra will inspire us to review all our relationships including relationships with friends, co-workers, and bosses. By the time Saturn moves out of Libra (October 5th, 2012), we should have the understanding that we’re not alone. We are one.

—Ayesha Grice, an astrological consultant who facilitates group meditations, believes that each person comes into this lifetime with special gifts and talents that are meant to be used to help others. As is her person, Ayesha’s website www.ayeshagrice.com is a conduit for astrological insights, prayers, and meditations.

“Precious memories, how they linger . . . ”

Dear Doris,

I am feeling deeply grateful for the privilege of being your daughter. And it is not only the coming of Mother’s Day that makes me feel this way. Every day, every day I am conscious of moving in the light of the upbringing you have given me, my brothers, and my sisters. Sometimes while working or talking to friends, I feel “Doris” come down on me and I just can’t help myself from talking, preaching, teaching just like you.

My life has been dedicated with almost no conscious effort on my part to bringing people at least to the level of awareness, insight, courage, and fight back I have gained from my mother. I am a nurturer just like you. Although I may never bear children of my own, my total being is to be mother—to raise up people with whom I come in contact—whether they be friend, boss, employee, or stranger. I don’t know any other way to be. My job brings me in contact with many frightened and confused people and I detect in many of them the basis of their problem is that they have never been raised up. ‘Up’, I say, because every one of them has potential to rise to a fullness of being that is love.

I want you to know that I have given careful consideration to my life as a woman. At 30 years old I must make some decisions about whether or not to bear a child. I don’t want to look at other women’s children with longing and regret. But while I don’t say never to having children, I choose not to do anything to have them. And I really don’t feel like I want to or need to bear a child.

As far as husbands go, I am not pining to be married. I am not praying for a husband to fulfill my life. I am fulfilling my life now. Should I attract a soul mate, I will be very happy. I will also be very happy now.

What about loneliness and old age? I have considered that and am planning for that time. First of all, a husband and children are no guarantee you will have their companionship all your life. Basically, I believe old people are old young people. That if a person is lonely old or crabby old, it is because they were lonely young, crabby young and these characteristics are just more evidenced when a person grows older.

So first I deal as much as possible with my feelings as a young woman. I am teaching myself to be love now. I nurture friendships with people who are younger, my peers, and those older than me now. I have close friends who are your beautiful age and I really enjoy their companionship and they enjoy mine. I have decided to take an interest in Peter’s children [my second oldest brother] since they live nearby as well as a few of my friends’ children and be open so they will be interested in me. My plan is to be a beautiful, fascinating senior citizen, and I also plan to be needed. So you don’t have to worry about me, Doris. I know you want me to be happy and I love to give you what you want.

You are a wonderful woman
a wonderful mother
a wonderful worker
and probably a lot of other wonderful things I don’t know about.

I love you and thank God for your being and for mine.

Love, Deborah

“I would tell them, you’re never too big to go to school.”

My father’s father was a sharecropper. Actually, if the man of the house was a sharecropper, then so were his offspring. The oldest children, Ella Jane, Buster (Samuel, Jr. ) and Pete (a.k.a U.T.) worked the fields.

Sharecropping was a plan devised by plantation owners to swindle the people they could no longer own as slaves. Typically, a family would arrive at a cotton or tobacco plantation looking for work.

“Tell you what,” the boss would drawl, “You can live and work here for now, and I’ll cover your expenses. I will pay you to work the farm and you will be paid at the end of harvest time. At that time, I will deduct your rent and expenses from your pay.

After harvesting, my grandfather would go to collect his pay. After expenses the pay would not be enough to get the family through the winter. Sometimes, the sharecropper would end up owing the plantation owner. Then the indebted family would sneak out and look for another plantation that would allow them to stay for the winter and work off the money owed after planting and harvesting. This is in every sense a vicious cycle. Daddy tells me that he felt angry at his father, felt that his father was too stupid to do better and that he would someday do better than his father.

Peter Singletary, Sr. rarely got to attend school for more than a few months at a time. A time came when the family settled near a city and Pete was finally able to attend school again.

A playful and curious child, Pete is thrilled. He is happy to be freed from the harsh hard labor and excited about learning. He is 10, old enough to be in the 5th or 6th grade, however is placed in the third grade.

His teacher, Mrs. Jackson (he remembered her name all his life) asks him to spell a word. He can’t spell the word so the teacher picks up a switch and whacks him three times on his open palm). The stinging pain spreads quickly to wound his pride. He is the biggest student and feels like the dumbest kid. He feels ashamed.

His glance escapes to the window and out of it, he sees his oldest sister, Ella Jane, walking home. He jumps out the window and goes home with his sister. Pete is a third grade school dropout . . .

After he shares this story, we sing,

“Oft our cherished plans have failed,
Disappointments have prevailed,
and we’ve wandered in the darkness
Heavy-hearted and alone.
But we’re trusting in the Lord
And according to His Word
we will understand it better by and by.”

“I think she’s dead now,” Daddy says about the teacher that delivered the life-changing wound. “Maybe she understands better now.”