March Madness

March Madness apparently isn’t just about basketball. My March was absolutely BANANAS, in a good and quirky way. After having such a high from my awesome 32nd birthday, I went into March 2016 feeling excited, happy and energetic. That energy attracted a very memorable March:

DREAMS: Man….Vivid dreams have been part of my life since I was a child. This month, I woke up at at 3 am or 4 am, every 2 days from a dream...exhausting. These dreams leave me in shock, scared, happy, moved, confused or all five. I’m not sure why THIS month I've had all these dreams, but it helped me realize I totally need to get back to writing my poetry, my first love.

I also think God wants me to have early morning prayer because this waking up 2 and 3 hours before the alarm goes off is rough!

LOYALTY: My definition of “loyalty” was questioned this month. I learned that you can’t expect people to treat you with the same loyalty that you give. I’m a reciprocal person... until things aren’t reciprocal... Ironically, I felt it coming (a dream). Whenever things are peaceful and happy, the enemy usually issues me an emotional attack. The lessons on loyalty let me know I’ve grown, I’m still growing.

GROWTH: Speaking of growth, this month brought me some crazy/memorable moments, both personally and professionally. Every event forced me to remember to keep my peace and stay "intentional" in my actions and words.

Miami Night with Caity

Growth was also a big theme for March 2016 because for 30 days, I spent every day praying for my future husband. I participated in the Praying For The One You'll Love Forever challenge in which I wrote daily prayers for my husband. I'll give it to him on the day we get married.

The experience was such a blessing because I haven't been optimistic and enthusiastic about dating in YEARS! It also reassured me of what I already knew: I'm capable of selfless love and friendship.

FRIENDSHIP: Caity and I haven’t physically seen each other in 14 years. And although we’ve kept in touch and know about each other’s lives (thanks Facebook), we haven’t been around each other since we were teenagers. A lot has changed , but that’s why her visit to South Florida was a highlight of March. The connection we had back in July 2001 is now even stronger because of her visit. We laughed….a lot and we had some heart-to-heart talks that strengthened a bond that I value, love, and cherish. Love you, DBG!

Why my birthday means so much to me

My last birthday with my dad, Frankie

My biological father missed 31 of my birthdays. Not because he was a deadbeat dad or divorced my mom. It was because he was “taken to heaven” a month before I turned two.

My father, Francisco Ross, died at the age of 21. He’s been dead longer than he was alive, and that’s a reality I think about very often.

I don’t remember him. Not his smile, not his hug, not his voice. I only have pictures from our short time together and memories my mom shares with me. My curly/wavy hair is his and he loved cologne. That’s probably why I snuggle extra close to men when they wear it.

Often when we celebrate a birthday, we are commemorating the life of the person. For me, my celebratory manner, every year, is because I believe life should be spent happy, laughing and loving. I party for my birthday as a way to honor the life that’s no longer here, my Frankie’s. He only got to see 21 of his birthdays.

On February 10, I find myself thinking of my Frankie. I wonder if he’s proud of me, what he was

Frankie and me

thinking the day before I was born and was he afraid to hold my 8 pounds 6 ounces body. And then, on my birthday, every year, I thank God for his life and my mom’s. I thank God for their love and connection.

Losing a parent is heartbreaking. Losing a parent you can’t remember simply hurts, daily. I wish I could just talk to him, just once. I would listen to his stories, his advice and receive his love.

So when you see my pictures and videos on February 11 of me dancing, smiling and laughing, I’m often thinking, “I hope you can see me, Frankie. I’m doing really well. Your wishes and dreams for me are coming true."

22 reasons why I love being a Delta

"ENCORE"
EPSILON OMICRON
SPRING '04
#4

Today, my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrates its 103rd founding anniversary!

Our history: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. These students: Winona Cargile Alexander, Madree Penn White,

Wertie Blackwell Weaver, Vashti Turley Murphy, Ethel Cuff Black, Frederica Chase Dodd, Osceola Macarthy Adams, Pauline Oberdorfer Minor, Edna Brown Coleman, Edith Motte Young, Marguerite Young Alexander, Naomi Sewell Richardson, Eliza P. Shippen, Zephyr Chisom Carter, Myra Davis Hemmings, Mamie Reddy Rose, Bertha Pitts Campbell, Florence Letcher Toms, Olive Jones, Jessie McGuire Dent, Jimmie Bugg Middleton, and Ethel Carr Watson wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to those in need.

On this day, I always reflect on why I love being a part of this organization and what it means to me. Here are 22 (in honor of our Founders) reasons why I love being a Delta

1. Our first act of service was the Women’s Suffrage March. All 22 founders marched; the only African American women’s organization to participate.
2. We’ve been feminists for 103 years.
3. The word Delta means change. We excel at it.
4. The mission of Delta aligns with my purpose. It speaks to me, too.
5. Epsilon Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was the first African-American sorority at BGSU. 
6. I inherited the “leadership gene” because I’m #woodcountymade. Soror Beverly E. Smith and Soror Carol Ware are prime examples.
7. I learned the art and importance of “let it roll.”
8. My skin is thicker because of Delta.
9. My sorors inspire me, hold me accountable, and humble me.
10. I learned sisterhood.
11. The founders wanted to focus on the community/public service. 
12. Our members are LEADERS in EVERY INDUSTRY AND FIELD.
13. DST is a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African Americans and, hence, all Americans.
14. The Sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to create its national programs.
15. The soror who wrote my letter has been a leader in pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years.
16. We are the the largest African-American Greek-lettered organization.
17. Dorothy Irene Height, “Godmother of the civil-rights movement” 
18. Speaking of trailblazers, my soror Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree. Dope.
19. My Dean made sure we knew the history of the organization AND of the other Greek letter organizations so that we can see how rich ours is.
20. Crimson and creme is a cool combo with a great meaning.
21. I have fond memories of reading In Search of Sisterhood my freshman year, but only during winter break!
22. “Lady Fortitude” sculpture symbolizes the attributes of strength, courage, hope, wisdom, beauty and femininity as depicted by the 22 founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

HAPPY FOUNDERS DAY, SORORS! OO-OOP