Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Hand in Hand
Whats touching for me is that Seko and I had the same thought. We both lost our parents last year and in such a short time frame. I said to God- "You must have a reason. You have to have some reason for putting us both is the same emotional place at the same time."
A year later I am so grateful. We are more in sync now that we have ever been. With all that happened at that time and since, we have actually grown closer. We have grown in our relationship and the Love we felt when we married 13 yrs ago is blossoming all the more. Strange how losing the two people to whom we were so close, drew us closer to each other.
Today I cried for the void left by My Father-in-Law. I cried because of the pain I know my husband feels. I cried for the void of My Mother. I cried because I'm finally back in a Happy Place in my Life as Seko and I take this journey Hand in Hand.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
God Speaks
In the quiet moments, in loud moments
He speaks
God speaks in sorrow and in joy
He speaks
Often we hear God speak but are not sure of what he is saying. At other times His message is abundantly clear.
This year God is speaking to me.
What He is saying is sometimes too much to hear.
Sometimes I want Him to be quiet.
But I fear the silence.
I know that I need to hear.
So God speaks.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Heavy Load, Empty Wagon
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
His Change Has Come
--- Yetu
Monday, September 21, 2009
Single Parent Now
Seko-Benjamin
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Back to Cool Libations
Seko VArner
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Raw Emotion
In these moments when I feel so empty, lonely and void,
I still breathe.
When it takes more effort that I thought I could muster,
I still breathe.
I breathe the memories of a Mother who was my best friend
Who could tell me when I was right but more importantly when I was wrong.
I breathe the air she once breathe with me
I feel a pain that others have felt, yet no one knows.
I think of her and wonder what I will become without her
I think of what she gave and know that I am equipped but long for her direction.
I think of her smile, her laugh or just the way she said my name and I know that she loved me and I her. I wonder why she was called home without warning and at a time when my life was so happy.
Now I fight to feel the happiness, to go for hours without weeping.
Joy and pain
They are entwined, through the divine nature of life.
We have but a while together and then we are apart for what seems like eternity only to meet in eternity.
It is in these times when the kindness of those who know me, who knew her reminds me of her. It is not always in the quiet moments that I grieve, but in the moments when surrounded by those she loved, deeply loved that remind me of who she was.
The parts I knew and the parts that were not reserved for me but for others. The parts that touched and reached so far and wide
Love is eternal and I pray that Love will heal my broken heart.
Rhonda L. Varner
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Most everyone knows that I am not a person that's big on attending church for many reasons. With that said I have ensured that for the last two years my family and I have attended a service about 90% of the Sundays to provide my Wife and Kids with the service she enjoys and a moral foundation for my Kids. This Sunday past we attended an AME church that my Cousin J.-J. attends as his newest child was being Baptized. I enjoyed the service somewhat, the band that my cousin plays in during service was enjoyable and I always love being near my Kids. Just watching my son look over at me from time to time and meeting eyes with my daughter as she sings is priceless. When ever we attend a service my wife often just looks at me to see if I'm feeling uncomfortable or if I'm getting into the service. I know that she's probably praying that I'll truly enjoy attending church one day as she really seems to enjoy a worship service. Today I began to slowly drift into a flurry of out-of-service thoughts as I began to ignore the energetic sermon of the Pastor. He then begins to speak about how Biblically Eli told Samuel to go back to bed and if he hears voices again to respond in a certain manner. I sat up. I began to listen.
When I was a youth in New York I heard voices and saw ghosts throughout our house. I remained afraid of our home at times scarred each time I saw and heard ghosts. One day I was in my room playing and heard a voice. I nervously ran out and yelled "What did you say Dad?" Mom yelled from downstairs "Your Dad isn't here, he's at the church." I returned to my room. and heard voices again. I again stepped out the room and asked Mom what she was saying. She responded "No one is talking son. Are you hearing voices again ? Next time you hear a voice say out loud "Yes, Lord. Your servant is listening." I returned to me room and later heard a voice calling my name. I replied following Mom's directions and fell into a sleep. From that point I never heard voices again nor saw the apparitions as I used to. Later as a teen this voice returned to me. I replied following Mom's directions and this voice became a constant friend whenever I was stressed out. It's kinda weird but often one can hear their own voice as they hold private thoughts. At certain times my voice is replaced by this other voice. When I hear that voice I try to follow directions. I've found that whenever I don't follow this voice my way in the world becomes a little more difficult. Later in life I've begun to feel the presence of the passed on. Each time that one visits me I repeat the phrase "Yes Lord, Your servant is listening." I never realized that Mom was quoting the Bible when she first guided me. Thanks again Mom, your guidance has allowed me to hear God and to experience my ancestors in a manner that I'll always treasure.
Seko-Benjamin
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
This one's for you
Mama's catching it right about now. Pops is having health difficulties, Mama-Granny is having health problems, my cousin has acted in a manner that's disrespectful and will need to keep a distance from me , & now she's in the hospital.
A week ago she shared in a story how surreal it is to be born in the 1940's in the United States and to face against racial and gender discrimination and to quietly yet deeply fear raising two Black boys. She had seen America spit out and chew Black boys even in the best of circumstances. She wasn't allowed to enter certain restaurants, establishments, and walks of life due to her race and gender as she was growing up. She saw men and women scarred by America while saying the Pledge of Allegiance. As she pledged allegiance to a country who violated and abused her fellow Americans of African and Indian descent she placed her faith on the cross of Christ. She stood up for and held onto love towards men who walked away from responsibility and fought the devils in alcohol. drugs, crime, and perversion.
Mom marched with Dr. King, listened to Malcolm, and later lit seven cultural candles after celebrating the birthday celebration of her savior. Mom worked and received lower paychecks and was shut-out of some businesses due to her womanhood. And now she had a chance to vote for a Barak Obama.
This is something that she spoke into me and my brother as we were lil'. "You could even be the President of the United States of America." While she was attempting to bolster her children with a wealth of the hope that embraces the "American dream "she truly didn't believe that it could happen for one of America's African children. My parents kept me in love with our African and Indian roots as much as they immersed us into almost all-white environments. She put up with polite smiles and back-stabbing church and professional peers who spoke of love and equality and practiced distance......And now she had a chance to vote for a Barak Obama.
Mom spoke of feeling like she was dreaming when she graduated from school and "they" made "them" all get into a bus to vote. She fearfully yet fearlessly got in the line expecting the usual police batons, citizen threats, or the whispered about bombs and was able to cast her vote for John F. Kennedy. She couldn't believe that she was able to do what so many had died trying to do. She couldn't believe that she was safe in participating in American society after being an American negro......And now she had a chance to vote for a Barak Obama.
We sat and she marveled while watching videos on the Internet involving people of all backgrounds demonstrate their support of Barack Obama in song, poetry, and speech. She marveled as one video showed bridges across the world with people holding signs endorsing Obama. Here I sat; her privileged Afro-revolutionary-thinking, Black-Republican-acting, Broke yet blessed elitist behaving, Suburban-raised yet hood-loving, Conservative-radio addicted son. She and others bled and suffered for me to be able to believe what I believe. As she marvelled I marvelled. She has seen America become closer to what America claimed it was. As southern rapper Young Jeezy says to Barack Obama in one his songs "Win, loose, or draw......You have changed the world for us." This is surreal to her.
Yesterday Barak Obama's grandmother died (11/03/2008 Roman Calendar) . Two days ago Mum was placed into the hospital fighting against pneumonia. She won't get a chance to vote and she's worried that her conservative son's vote may be one of the votes that defeats her realized dream in Obama's candidacy.
I awoke at 3:00 AM. I arrived at the polling place at 4:35 AM. The polls opened up at 6:00 AM. I cast my vote at 6:05 AM. My wifey arrived at 5:30 AM and cast her vote at 7:30 AM. I'll pick-up my Daddy around 10:00 AM to take him to the polls. This is surreal for him as well. Looking at the line behind me this morning was surreal. I shed a tear for Mum as I approached the voting booth. This is something she wasn't able to do today after praying, working, and bleeding for the opportunity. Mum, this one's for you.
Seko VArner
"I just work here !"
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Struggles for new life
We traveled to the hospital. We came here to ATL (Atlanta, Georgia) to pick up my Mum who is sitting with her Mum who is in the hospital after facing a stroke. Granny walked into her 90 year stage of eldership a few months ago and we marvelled at the grace, love, and memories given by my Mama-family's matriarch. Granny has been known to pray for you and prey upon you if you even thought about being out of line. I have very non-fond memories of her flying sandals violently reminding my head that I needed to mind my manners, behaviors, mouth, etc...
Today Granny-Mum lay struggling after a stroke. This is one of those times when I wonder why someone who devoted her life to serving Christ isn't given better protection by our Lord. Years ago I would have faced an onslaught of flying sandals if I were to ever voice this question and Granny-Mum heard about it. I'm sure that this is one of those "You'll understand when you get older." experiences. After seeing a woman who prayed harder for me than I've ever prayed for myself struggling to breathe, I began to worry that she may have wasted precious prayers upon me that may have prevented this stroke. Those fingers that lovingly held and guided me for years were holding onto to life. The eyes that used to read Biblical stories to a youngster seemed forcefully shut with shudders and a nervousness that was foreign to me.
As I peered around the room I saw the newest father on my Mum's side of the family. I remember when this cousin was born. He asked if I wanted to see his baby. I'm thinking "didn't he have a lil' one last month ?" before realizing that his child was very prematurely born. In the very same hospital this father visits his daughter and great-grandmother. Within minutes he beholds a granny-woman who has been pivotal to his life and his new life. He takes the fam' and I to visit his lil' soldier, Kaori Clowers. Kaori is indeed a soldier. She's breathing 28% oxygen through a tube, she just received her first portion of food today, and she's not even two pounds yet. Cousin shared how he and Kaori's mother often share hospital responsibilities and how he often visits before and after work. He spoke with so much confidence about the surgical procedures Kaori was experiencing as he gave me a tour of all the tubes sticking into this lil' one. I fondly though how the word "Ka" was used to describe the soul by our ancient Kemitian (Egyptian) ancestors and struggled to remember what the name "Ori" meant from one of the African based cultures I've been exposed too. I thought that it might be a Haribu (Hebrew) term, but I wasn't sure. I thought that it meant strength, but I couldn't be sure. Her name had a smooth feel and I experienced an inward feeling of understanding that this child was going to be a powerful force in our family. As her papi' spoke to me Kaori moved, as I spoke she moved and her lips danced as if she were trying to speak to me. I'm sure that at some point in her life, she and I will share a beautiful relationship. She's a soldier.
I returned to Granny. Her feet were moving. I placed my hands on her praying for the Almighty to make it easy upon the family and I. "Thy will be done God, just help us to understand." I then admitted to the ancestors that we were not ready for Granny to join them. "I know it's not up to us - Ancestors, I know it's in God's time, but we ain't ready yet." An understanding wrapped me with a feeling that they (the ancestors) didn't expect to expect her yet either. "Asante-Sana Yeshua" (Thank you Jesus). A brother was happy. Her hands began to move. Family entered the room. Laughter erupted. Hugs were exchanged. Granny began making moves that seemed to mean "Ya'll are making too much noise." Granny re-arranged herself in her bed. She asked my Great cousin Vivian, who I always thought was my aunt, for some water. Aunt Biddie (Vivian) gently rubbed cold water onto Granny's lips providing some comfort. Granny cannot swallow anything without choking in her current state. She couldn't drink any water. More family arrived, Granny began opening her eyes and began asking for ice, water, something to drink, and began waving at the assembly. I felt safe.
Later that afternoon I returned to the room after escorting the Wifey to the Fox theatre to view the Broadway production of The Color Purple. The theatre was about three blocks away from the hospital. Mum was in the room surrounded by smiling faces. I kissed Granny on her shoulder and she waved both hands shooing me away from her. Granny was trying to talk and probably was giving instructions as she was accustomed. I made plans to travel to one of my cousin's homes to allow my kids to play with their cousins. I grabbed my lil' girls hand and placed one hand upon Granny and prayed a prayer of thanks. As I looked up I noticed a blush upon my mother's face that was full of distraught. We reversed places. She used to hold my as I cried. Today, I held her as she cried. Mums in despair, I felt a sense of comfort.
That night I returned to the hospital to pick up Wifey. She walked to the hospital after the play as I was stuck in Hot-Lanta's crazy-tail traffic. Wifey shared how Granny was visited by another minister and was sitting up in her bed singing and clapping in praise. Christ's protection may not be always evident, but there's always evidence. I smiled thinking "We not ready, they're not ready." considering the feeling I received earlier. Granny's new life is upon her.
Post script:
While adding this post the morning after the experience I received notice that Granny was sitting up last night and has movement in one of her arm and legs. Asante Sana Yeshua. Also I've found that I was right about the "Ka" meaning "The soul" or "My Soul" , it normally referrs to the persons twin. The soul is one twin, the body is the other in traditional Kemetian beliefs. "Ori" is a Hebrew name meaning "My light" or "The Origin of" and has been used to describe the concept of stregnth as in "My stregnth". Her Daddy described her as being feisty and my observations concurred with his assessment. Her soul is her stregnth. I'm not sure yet what cultural origin or meaning the parents settled upon as they named Kaori (I forgot to ask), but my intuition that she was gong to be powerful seemed to be sound. May her new life be a blessing.
Seko VArner - Team VArner
"I just work here."
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
What's to Come
Thursday, July 10, 2008
GrandMama Love
Click the words "Grandmama Love" to follow links to download the video.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Evil Eyes
On 11/13/2007 Dad needed to go to the conference office to teach a class for the newest ministers in the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ. While driving those sleepy country Suffolk Virginia roads dad began drifting into stories of Mama.
Pops met mom as he returned from ministering in Scotland. A minister supervising him shared to pops "when you return to the states and go to Atlanta I want you to meet a friend of mine who is in the administration at Columbia Theological Seminary. They took in their first female Negro student and they need help."
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Mortality
I once dated a woman who was never the same following the passage of her Mum. She never finished school, and worked beneath herself during the times we were together. She attributed her misfortune to the passing of her mum.....yet never seemed to do anything to honor her Mum via works. I always told myself that I'd never be affected in the same manner.......Yet today Mum is in the hospital again and I'm numb, wondering if I need to prepare myself for something I'm not prepared for. After receiving the news that Mum only had bronchitis again my spirits were only slightly lifted. Sometimes ancestorships walks into ones life, slowly and quietly. I don't know if this is the beginning of the glory of walking into glory, or simply another one of life's difficulties. There is so much that I don't know, yet there is much that I do know. My Mum has been one of the rocks in my life. As much as I've become much of a Poppa's boy in the last few years, the times spent with Mum....being beaten by Mum......being supported by Mum...being loved by Mum....and being guided by Mum has directed me to become much of what I am today.
My Judaic-Christian background has promoted the understanding of the Creator being simply the Father, yet my interactions with the almighty have given me a truly broader understanding of our 'Heavenly' parent. The creative force that dwells in me, outside of me, and in you is larger than the descriptions we have for it. GOD is limitless, similar to the love a mother has for her children. My experience with GOD has been motherly at times, feeling the spirit kiss on my soulful wounds as I've tripped and fell over my blessings and difficulties. Mum's kiss would make me forget of the pain, the creator's kiss has done the same. GOD loves GOD's children like a strong mother loves her children. Understanding GOD has allowed me to understand my Mum. Thank Good-orderly-direction for the blessings of knowing my mother and knowing my mother's love.
Today I know that Mum will return from the hospital. Today I thank the creator for her life. Today I thank the ancestors for their watchful eyes and messages. Today I'll be ever to make it through another day knowing that I have a Mother that I can hug and hold and adore. GOD bless our mothers and mother-ancestors. Ashee-Amen-AhMother.
Seko VArner