The elaboration of relationship connections

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Judy Owens is a 2025 award winning author who is an avid reader of all genres of books. Her book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” has won an International Impact Book Award in the category of “Life Experience – Real Life Accounts”. Book website is https://a.co/d/5au6GYA Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars :D Judy Owens
  • Do not Judge the Book by Its Cover. Reading its Contents Might Change Your Perception

    Do not Judge the Book by Its Cover. Reading its Contents Might Change Your Perception

     The surface does not define what is inside.

    Let’s talk it…

    “Push mom, push! Shouts Doctor Gordon. I can see the head. I need for you to give it one more push as hard as possible.” Soon after the last push, a soft cry of a baby rings out. The doctor announces “it’s a girl.” “She looks like what grace feels like, beautiful with a glow, states doctor Gordon.” The doctor hands the baby to his nurse. The nurse announces the time of birth and weight before preparing the baby for mom to embrace her fifth child. The mom was moved by the doctor’s descriptive statement about her baby girl as she was born. She names her fifth child Grace based on the doctor’s statement.

    Emma, a single mother of four gives birth to her fifth child as her longtime partner and father of her children, James holds her hand. James takes his daughter and holds her up to the stars. “God, this child who highly resembles my family appearance from the tribe of Fulani in Cameroon is highly favor of you. Your grace is with her. She is flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone. Her spirit will know you and honor you. Her spirit will hear you and worship you in spirit and in truth. She is blessed to be a blessing to many. For this, I praise you.”

    Both Grace parents is from Mississippi. They would often tell stories of growing up as the kid of Sharecroppers and having to pick cotton before and after school. Grace’s mother people moved to Mississippi from Arkansas; her father people moved to Mississippi from Louisiana. Grace’s father’s family origin is in Cameroon Africa. Although Emma and James never married, they both raised their kids to be family minded by putting family first. Grace’s parents were not highly educated. Neither of her parents finish high school. They both left their parent’s homes in Mississippi, at the age of sixteen, to move North for work. Grace’s mother found a job in the cleaning industry at age sixteen; her father found a job in a junk yard where metal parts for cars, washing machines and heaters was refurnish and sold.

    Grace grew up living in poverty-stricken environments where broken English, now known as Ebonics, is the language of the immigrants. Grace has always been a quick learner of any skill taught to her. However, she has a lazy tongue which causes difficulties in enouncing words or articulating her thoughts well. Grace did not feel out of place, as a child, within her community because everyone looked like her and sound like her. In the late 1960s and early 1970s her mother became an Activist. Grace was at the March on Washington in 1963 when her mother told her “Just because you are poor and black doesn’t mean you are dumb and ignorant”. Grace did not understand why her mother told this to her; she knew not to question, just listen. The words somehow pierced the spirit of her soul. She could not stop thinking about what was said to her. As an Activist, Grace’s mother becomes the founder of an organization to help single mothers. Her mother worked with the Black Panther Party to feed inner city school kids’ breakfast before going to school. Grace’s mother was selected as a board member on an inner-city community health care center. She was one of the Activist flown into Washington by the White House when Martin Luther King was assassinated. Grace grew up watching her mother, who did not graduate from high-school, navigate through life helping people. Her mother believed everyone has a right to be treated equal regardless of race, gender, education, or financial status.

    After graduating high-school, Grace found a job working at the airport. She did not think about attending college. It was not discussed in her community. After giving birth to her son at the age of twenty-three, Grace begins to look at life differently. She begins to look at the high-rise office buildings with the following questions in her thoughts:  What type of work do the people do inside of those buildings? How does someone get a job inside one of those buildings? What skills are required to get a job inside one of those buildings? What is the title of those jobs inside one of those building? Grace decided to speak with a counselor at the local trade college near her home. The counselor provides Grace with a list of trades that could help her get a job in a high-rise office building. Grace did not know which trade to choose. She decided on a trade that worked with numbers. She was a master when it came to numbers. Her best subjects in school were Chemistry, Algebra and Calculus. After completing trade school, Grace found a job working with a major company who was located through-out the United States and in Japan. She masters her job skills immediately. She worked well with other departments within the company, as well as, socialized outside of work, with many of the employees. Grace begins to experience people we call “Haters.” These are the people who tries to dim your light because your job well done is being recognized and honor by upper management and because you are liked by many of your peers. These people, “haters” like to point out your areas of weakness. The haters love to correct Grace enunciation of words in front of people. Grace decides to go to the community college at night to take basic English courses. It did not matter how many English courses she took; she could not seem to change how she pronounces or enounce words. The courses did help her improve in her writing but not in her speaking.

    Because of the Haters, Grace became an introvert. It was her way of hiding. Hiding did not stop the haters but a least they did not have an audience when correcting her in a derogatory manner. She could not understand the hate people gave so unapologetically. She did not want to become like them. She understood how easy it is to give to others what is constantly deposited into your spirit; especially when what is deposit has a significant impact on you. In order to combat the hate given, she became a spiritually person. It was not about following a religious denomination with a lot of do’s and do nots. She needed to grow in relationship with God, her creator and savior. The more Grace grew spiritually, the stronger she became. She begins to gain spiritual wisdom and insight. The words her mother spoken so many years ago flash back into her mind “Just because you are poor and black doesn’t mean you are dumb and ignorant”.  Grace thought out loud, “just because I do not enounce some words correctly does not mean I do not know the meaning of the word. I come from people who was kidnapped from their country and bought to a strangle land to work as slaves for people of a language different from their own. My people method of being taught the new language of their slave owners was through the pain of a whip that pierce their skin. Therefore, I will no longer apologize to haters who unapologetically crucify me for speaking Ebonics fluently. So, in the words of Michelle Obama, when they go low; I will go high and praise my God for the ability to communicate with my voice.” Once Grace changed her mind set and no longer care about what the hater said about the way she talks; the hate stopped. This help Grace to realize that the haters used her to gain power and strength. Had she originally declared in her spirit that the haters are a liar from the pits of hell and had she refused to receive what they were saying about her as truth, the hate would have stopped a long time ago. Rejecting the haters open Grace to see to vase number of people who speak unapologetically in the same dialect as herself. She listens to Doctor Phil, on television frequently use the word Ya’ll in his conversations. To her surprise, so many different cultures of people was enouncing some words using the Ebonics dialect. Yet, they call it country instead of Ebonics.

    From this experience Grace learns that haters who hate with lies are weak and needs the power of the person they are hating on to provide them with strength. Do not empower Haters by believing what they say about you. The lies they tell are out of darkness; and when light is presence, darkness will fleet; vanish; disappear. Continued to walk in the light. God is light.

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

  •  Wanted! Young Man Single and Free

     Wanted! Young Man Single and Free

     Transitioning from sugar baby to sugar mama. My life is a Life Time movie.

    Let’s talk about it…

    Betty is sitting at her table reading through the mail. She reaches under the pile of mail to pull out a shiny bronze color envelope. This is from Dorothy, thought Betty as she speaks out loud in her mind. What could she be mailing to me that could not be said by text? Do she not know we are living in a digital world now. After tearing open the envelope, she begins to read out loud. “You are cordially invited to celebrate my 50th birthday with me in the Bahamas.” Okay, and… thought Betty. Is this a joke? This is all she has printed on the invite. Who is going to pay for this trip to the Bahamas? And when is her birthday? Am I supposed to RSVP? Now, if I call to question her about this not enough information invitation, she going to label me as the cheap friend who does not know when her birthday is. Anyways, here goes. “Hello Dorothy girl, I just received your invitation in the mail. It’s a beautiful card. It did not state when you plan on going to the Bahamas.” “Did it not say for my 50th birthday?” “Yes, it did Dorothy, but I was hoping it would be more specific as to the exact dates. I’m sure it’s not a day trip on your birthday only.” Laughing Out Loud, Dorothy provides more details on the invite. “Girl, you remember William; my eighty-five-year-old sugar daddy.” “Yes, Dorothy, I remember William.” Well, he gifted me with an all-inclusive trip to the Bahamas for a party of ten people. He rented a mansion that has ten bedrooms, five on the west wing and five bedrooms on the east wing. It’s a two-story mansion. Because William’s health issues do not allow him to travel, he wanted me to go and enjoy myself with nine of my friends. We will fly out on the 15th, two days before my birthday and will return on the 20th. Because my birthday is in a month, I need everyone to RSVP by Thursday of next week.” “Thanks for the details, Dorothy. And thanks for inviting me.” “Of course, Betty, you are one of my best friends; are you not?” “Yes Dorothy, I am.” “Okay, Betty, I will talk to you soon.” Dorothy hangs up the phone. Betty, thinks out loud. “I really didn’t know I was one of her best friends. Anyhow, if she says so; I’m gain. I get a free trip out of it.”

    Betty is a 48-year-old single woman with one adult child who is 25. Her son lives with his girlfriend and their two-year-old daughter. Betty met Dorothy three years ago when her sugar daddy William was rush to the hospital where she works as a registered nurse. Betty was assigned to William room. She initially thought Dorothy was his daughter. She was intrigued after finding out that William was her sugar daddy. Betty befriends Dorothy just so she could get the details on how she found a sugar daddy; and how much sugar does he gives. For the entire three years Dorothy would always introduce William as her sugar daddy or address him in conversations as her sugar daddy. She would reference his title, sugar daddy, like it was a badge of honor. She wanted everyone, who came in contact with her to know his role in her life. On the day William was released from the hospital, Dorothy and Betty exchanged phone numbers. Two months after William released from the hospital, Betty invited Dorothy to hang out with her at a professional social club owned by a friend of hers. After buying Dorothy a couple of drinks with shots of whiskey, Betty was able to engage Dorothy in conversation about her sugar daddy. Dorothy talked about her experience as an exotic dancer at a gentleman club. She admits to meeting William at the gentlemen club. William would come to the club twice a week to request a private dance from Dorothy. She was paid $5,000 for a fifteen-minute dance. After a year of giving William private dances in the club, he asked Dorothy to move into his house with him. He did not want her dancing for anyone but him. Betty eventually asked Dorothy, can William introduce her to one of his single friends who is looking for a sugar baby. Dorothy and William invited Betty over to their home to meet William’s friend Chris. Chris is two-years older than William. Because Chris uses a wheel chair to help him with mobility, he doesn’t go out much. Chris is looking to meet someone to spend time with him in his home. Betty thought this arrangement is perfect because she did not want any of her professional friends to know what she was doing. Chris was paying Betty $2,000 a visit for two hours of her time. Her visits would consist of her watching tv with him, listening to music with him, sitting and talking to him and on those special occasions, she would have to sit on his lap. Betty was paid $3,000 for the special occasion visits. Betty was able to save $1 million in the bank from her relationship with Chris.

    When Betty met someone, her age, at her friend’s professional social club, she no longer wanted to visit with Chris. The money was good, but it made her feel like a nasty girl. In addition to feeling dirty, Betty was scared that someone other than Dorothy would find out. She could not bear the thought of her son knowing what she was doing. Betty became bored quick with the new man in her life. He never had any money; yet, he would always suggest they attend concerts, go out to eat, or attend sporting events. Also, He did not hesitate to ask Betty to cover the bill. Betty’s boyfriend would always say after she paid for them, “You know I got you next time.” Betty would often wonder after paying, what the hell do “I got you” mean. I am feeding him, covering the expenses of all entertainments and giving up the cookie to him whenever he wants it. So, what the hell do “I got you” means. Betty found herself thinking out loud. “If I’m going to pay, I might as well find me someone who can make me holler as my toes curl in the bedroom. I need me a sugar baby.” Betty begins to search online for Sugar Mamas’ dating sites. She was knee deep in her search when her door bell rings. Who could this be on a Thursday night? It was her “no money lover” carrying an overnight bag. “What are you doing here on a Thursday with an overnight bag?” “Well, I don’t have to work tomorrow, so I thought I would come over a day early to hang out at your place while you are at work tomorrow. This way you can cook me breakfast before you go to work.” “Oh, hell no shouts Betty. Get your no money ass out my house. My days of taking care of you is over. I’m the only one giving in this relationship without anything in return. Please leave! Betty’s lover glanced over at the computer. He looks back at her then shouts, “what the hell? You are on a dating site looking for a sugar baby; yet you are going to tell me to get my no money ass out your house. Hell, it looks to me, I was giving you exactly what you are searching for online. You should be more appreciative of me for my services.” “Get out my house, get out, get out, shouts Betty.” She slams her door after her lover walks out. Betty continued her online search. She found the perfect website. The young men on the site were physically fit and between the age of 21 to 35. Okay, thought Betty, let me create a profile. The site requires her to provide a brief description of what she is looking for. Betty’s description was simple and to the point. “Wanted, young man, single and free. No experience necessary. I will accept a young trainee” Betty did not want to chase after anyone. She wanted to choose among the candidates who applied for the position. The next day after work, Betty log onto the website. To her surprised several young handsome muscle-bound men shows interest in her profile. She decided to look at the profiles of the candidates 25 to 30. She replied to Jackson profile. Jackson is 30 years old, six feet 4 inches. He is very muscular. He works as a bartender three nights a week and a fitness trainer Mondays thru Fridays. Jackson and Betty exchanged contact information. She agreed to meet him at the Gym for a workout session. Jackson did somethings with his hands during their workout session that let Betty know she had the perfect sugar baby. She was willing and ready to pay for further services.

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

  • Computer Love

    Computer Love

    Who knew love could be found on a computer? Is he real?

    Let’s talk about it…

    “Look at my baby, all grown up. What do you want for your birthday? I wish you would allow your father and I to give you a party to celebrate your accomplishments in life. You graduated from High School with a 4.0 GPA. You will start college in the fall. You found yourself a job without the help of me and your father. And you are moving into our studio guess house in the back. Your father and I would love to honor your accomplishments in some way; so, again I asked: What do you want for your birthday?” “Thanks mom; rather than spend money on a party, can you and dad buy me a small used car? Having my own transportation will allow me the freedom to be more mobile without bugging you and dad to take me around.” “That would be an excellent gift to give you. I will talk to dad about it. I am sure he will be okay with it. Let us plan to go shopping for you a car this weekend coming.” Thanks, mom, for being so understanding. I love you. I have a few more boxes to move into the guess house. Once I am moved in, I will invite you and dad to dinner. I want to surprise you both with my cooking skills.” “Okay dear, let me know if you need help unpacking.” “Will do” shouts Sandra as she walks out the back door.

    Sandra is the Fords oldest child. The Fords has one other child; Sandra’s brother Jack, who is sixteen. Jack is spending his summer in boot camp for gifted kids. As promise, once Sandra got settle into her new place, she invites her mom and dad over for dinner. Sandra never cooked at home. Her mother would not allow anyone other than herself to cook and clean her home. As a very observant child, Sandra would sit in the kitchen and watch her mother and grandmother prepare meals. Sandra decided to mimic one of her grandmother’s meals. She made lasagna with a mix green salad and crescent rolls. Her parents were impressed with her culinary skills and felt their daughter would not have a problem paving her way through life.

    In high school Sandra was valedictorian. She would often spend her spare time tutoring other students. She became close friends with the principal’s daughter Karen, who was in her second year of college during Sandra’s last year of high school. Sandra invited Karen over to celebrate having her first place. Sandra prepared finger foods for her and Karen. She put party wings in the air fryer and prepared a veggie platter with ranch dressing. Karen bought items to make virgin Pina Coladas. Sandra and Karen sat talking for hours about the benefits of being a young adult living outside their parents’ home. Karen asked Sandra about dating. “Karen, I have not given much thought to dating. I only had one boyfriend in my life during my second and third year in high school. It was a controlled dating relationship. Our parents made sure Michael and I never went beyond a kiss on the lips. Michael graduated a year before me and is now attending college in another state. We do not keep in touch. I heard he is dating someone who attends the same college. Anyway, my experience with Michael is not sufficient to prepare me for a real relationship as a young lady. I am not a socialite so therefore; I do not know how and where to meet anyone to date. How did you meet your boyfriend, Karen?” “My boyfriend and I met on one of the college’s website portals for students. We both joined a private group for students who are majoring in becoming a doctor. The members of the group discuss school related issues pertaining to classes, course material, the professors teaching method, and financial assistances. Each student must create a profile before joining. Our school ID picture is used as our profile picture. We can send a private DM to someone in the group. My boyfriend sent me a DM asking if we could study together in the school library. I agreed and the rest is history.” “Karen, your story sounds like a match made in heaven. I would love to meet someone before I start school in the fall. It would be good if there are some social media platforms like your college group portal for students.” “There is Sandra” “Help me find the way Karen.” “Okay, let starts now Sandra. Have you heard of Spacebook?” “Yes, but I have never been on Spacebook.” “It is okay Sandra; I will coach you step by step. Let us start by setting up a profile for you. Then we will add your profile on SpaceMessenger which is related to Spacebook. It will allow someone to DM you privately. Then we will search for groups you can join on Spacebook.” Karen spent the rest of the evening helping Sandra set up a profile. They found a group for young adults between the age of 18 to 25 who were valedictorian in high school. The members of the group talked about their senior year in high school. They talked about college; their first real job; moving out their parents’ homes; buying their first car and their future. Because it was late, Sandra invited Karen to spend the night. Karen cordially declined because she had a brunch date with her boyfriend. Sandra walks Karen to her car parked in the family huge drive way which allows room for at least four cars. Sandra stays up half the night interacting with people in the group on Spacebook.

    The next day, after running a few errands, Sandra goes back on Spacebook to find she had received a DM from Robert. Robert introduces himself as a single 21-year-old college student who is majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He asked to meet with Sandra in person or to talk with her directly over the phone. Sandra replied to Robert’s DM requesting that they spend a little time getting to know each other by DMing before exchanging phone numbers. Robert agreed. The two message each other back and forth for two weeks, talking about their families, their future endeavors, and current events. Sandra found herself looking forward to receiving a message from Robert. She was tire of having to log on to Spacebook to hear from him. She decided it was time to give him her personal phone number. Robert called her immediately after receiving the DM with her phone number. They talked on the phone for hours. Sandra found out that Robert only lived five miles away from her home. Both their colleges are near their homes which means their relationship will be local not long distance.  Sandra agreed to meet Robert for lunch. Three weeks after meeting on Spacebook. They met at a café mid-way between their homes. Robert was standing outside the café when Sandra arrives. She was so happy that Robert looked like his profile picture on Spacebook. It made it easier for her to feel comfortable that she was in the company of the correct person. As Sandra was approaching Robert, he shouts out; “hello Sandra, you are more beautiful in person. Sandra giggle with a huge smile as she says thank you. Robert bought Sandra a single red rose with a card that read; “You know, I have been searching for someone, who can share that special love with me; and your eyes, your eyes; your eyes have that sparkle. Could it be your face, I see on my computer screen?” Sandra entire aura glowed as she read the card. She hugs Robert, then kiss him on the cheek. She thanked him for the rose and card. Robert opens the door of the café for Sandra to enter first. He finds them a seat for two near the window, so that the natural light shining through the window would highlight her beauty. Robert and Sandra talked for two hours about their future after college as they enjoyed soup and a sandwich at the café. Robert asked Sandra to be his girlfriend. Sandra agreed only if their relationship was exclusive.

    The next day, Sandra lays in her bed awoke daydreaming about Robert when she hears a knock on her door. Sandra opens the door. “Hi mom. What are you doing here? Sorry mom, I did not mean it like that. It is just that I’m surprise to see you at my door; usually you call me on the phone when you need to talk with me.” “Well dear, there is someone at the house for you and I did not want to call you in front of him. At this moment, your dad is chatting with him.” “Who is it mom?” “It is Michael. He is home for a few weeks before returning to school for the fall semester.” What does he want mom?”  “He said, he was passing through the neighborhood and decided to drop by to say hello to everyone.” “I am not sure if I want to see him mom. He never reached out to me after leaving for college a year ago. Why now?” “What do you mean why now. Am I missing something?” “Yes mom, you are. I met someone. His name is Robert. We have been talking for a month. Robert asked me to be his girlfriend and I accepted. We are in an exclusive relationship. Robert lives five miles from us and attends college here in the state. The relationship feels right. I feel, he is the perfect person for me. Besides, the last I heard; Michael is dating someone at his college.” “Well dear, what do you want me to say to Michael? I told him that I would check to see if you are available.” “Mom, please tell him that I am not available. You can also tell him that my phone number is still the same. I am hoping me saying this will make a statement to him; letting him know that he just cannot show up at my door after a year and expect all is well; especially when he has not call me or come by to see me when he came home, from school, for Thanksgiving and Christmas.” “Sandra, I have raised a strong, wise, intelligent young woman. I am so proud of you. I have watched so many young women on these reality tv shows lower their standards and devalue themselves to be in relationship with someone who openly disrespect them.” “Thank you, mom. You and grandmother taught me well. Now, I have found my computer love.”

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

    Judy Owens

  • I Got to Find Me an Angel in My Life.

    I Got to Find Me an Angel in My Life.

    I got to find me an angel to fly away with me. Someone whose love will match the love I give unconditionally.

    Let’s talk about it…

    “Mark and Barbara appear to be attached at the hip”, states Belinda. “I thought they were” replied Malinda as she laughs out loud. “We have been working as Barbara’s assistants for five years. She does everything for that husband of hers. I mean everything. I will not be surprise if she wipes his ass after he goes to the bathroom.” “Lower your voice Malinda, you better not let Barbara hear you talking about her husband. She would fire us just as quick as when she rescued us from the homeless shelter when we were kicked out of our foster parents’ home upon turning eighteen.” “Okay, Ms. Voice of reason Belinda. I am just having a little fun. I cannot help it that I am the happy go lucky fun twin and you are the; well, I don’t know what to call you. Anyhow, I will speak lower when I am joking about Barbara and her husband. I am who I am. It does not mean that I don’t love Barbara or hold her in high regards. It just that humor has always been my method for coping with life.” “I understand Malinda, we have been through a lot in life after being abandoned by our mother as infants. Barbara would have been the idea foster parent for us. Unfortunately, we did not meet her until after being thrown out of a system that did not provide us with life skills. Maybe the foster care system assumed the foster parents would teach us how to survive in life once we turn eighteen. But as you know, our foster parents told us they only got paid to provide a roof over our heads and a meal on the table. How we got money for other things was up to us.” “Belinda, can we talk about something else; you know I do not like talking about when we were in foster care. I am forever grateful to Barbara for taking us under her wings and teaching us the principles of being a productive citizen in life. For this reason, you know I am just having fun when I am talking about her and Mark’s marriage. I understand I need to keep my voice low because it would hurt me if she hears me and think something other than what is truly in my heart.”

    Barbara enters the room where the twins Belinda and Malinda work at her nonprofit organization as her assistants. “Hi twins, let me correct myself; hi Malinda and Belinda. You two have names and your own self-identity; I will make sure to address you in that manner. How are things coming with registering the vendors for the upcoming charity event?” After the twins provide Barbara with detail information about the status of the charity event coming in approximately a month; they informed her that Mark had called requesting them to put on hold whatever project we are working on. “What reason did he give? asked Barbara” “He asked us to help his co-worker plan her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary party. He informed us; we were to do whatever his co-worker Tracy request of us.” “When did he call you two, asked Barbara.” “He called this morning.” Barbara was upset with her husband for requesting her employees to help one of his co-workers without talking to her about it first. Barbara asked the twins to not do as Mark has requested until she talks to him about it. She informed them their priority is the charity event. That evening, Barbara prepared Marks favorite dish for dinner. Barbara sits at the dinner table sipping on a glass of wine waiting for her husband. Mark was late coming home. When Mark finally arrived home, he smelled like cheat perfume and alcohol. Barbara had suspect for years that Mark was having an affair, but she chose to keep her thoughts to herself. She knew Mark would deny it and her friends would think she was foolish for knowing and not doing anything about it. Mark appeared to be slapping her in the face with his affair after she took the twins under her wings by allowing them to move into one of her rental apartments for low-income families and for giving them a job without consulting with him first. Although Barbara’s nonprofit organization and rental property was obtained before her marriage to Mark, she always made him feel like he was part owner by consulting with him on the business affairs of both entities. Barbara would feel so proud as she informed Mark that she was following his advice. She wanted her husband to feel like he was the head in every aspect of her life including her business endeavors. Her consulting Mark made him feel like he was part owner as he executed that role well by interfering in many of the employees’ job duties. Barbara felt it is senseless to have a serious discussion with Mark while he was drunk; she knew he would not remember anything they discussed in the morning. Instead of saying anything to Mark, Barbara exerted energy by cleaning up the kitchen before going to bed. She could not sleep. She kept hearing the gospel song “Something has to Break” in her mind. Barbara begins to think back on the many conversations she had with William the therapist who worked with clients at her non-profit. William, often talked to Barbara about knowing her self-worth and walking in her God given power. Before Barbara married Mark, William asked her on several occasions to date her. William chased after Barbara for over a year before she married Mark; yet she marries Mark after only knowing him for three months. Barbara would give William the same excuse. “William, you are a good man. An intelligent man and a good-looking man; however, I do not want to date someone I work with.” William would often tell Barbara, “I am not your employee just someone you contract with to counsel clients who attend programs within your non-profit. I know you are the person I am to spend the rest of my life with; so, when you are ready, I will be here waiting.

    The next day, Mark’s co-worker calls the non-profit requesting to speak to Malinda or Belinda. Malinda takes the call. “Good morning, this is Malinda.” “Good morning, Malinda, this is Tracy, Mark’s co-worker. He informed me that you and your sister will be assisting me with my parents 50th wedding anniversary. I have a laundry list of things that need to be done and not enough time to get it all done even with help. Therefore, I need to schedule a meeting with you and Belinda today so that you both can start immediately on getting the ball rolling. Is two o’clock good for you both?” “Tracy, today is not a good day to meet with you. I am not sure what day would be a good day.  I suggest you scheduled a meeting with our boss Barbara or that you hire a party planner A Sap.” “Look Malinda, I do not think you heard me clearly. The owner of your company has assigned you and Belinda to be my party planners. I do not care who is your boss; she does not override the orders of the owner. I do not think you would want me to report to Mark, the owner, that his employee is being insubordinate; this can cause you your job.” “You look Tracy, unfortunately you got the twin who do not give a shit on the phone. Maybe you need to hang up then call back requesting to speak to Belinda. She is the twin with the voice of reason and wisdom. Besides, Mark is not the owner of this company; his wife Barbara is the owner and my boss. She is the only one who can give me orders or say I am being insubordinate. You sound like you got your P wet by Mark. I suggest you calm the hell down and give Barbara a call.” Malinda hangs up the phone on Tracy without saying goodbye. Tracy was so angry she could not speak or think for a few seconds. When she came back to herself, she thought out loud; did I hear that rude as bitch say that Barbara is Mark’s wife and is the only owner. I need to have a conversation with Mark right now” Tracy storms out her office to go look for Mark. Malinda goes to find Belinda to tell her about the phone conversation with Tracy. Belinda being the voice of reason, tells Malinda “We need to tell Barbara immediately about your conversation with Tracy. You were wrong for talking to Tracy the way you did. Regardless of what you think is going on between Tracy and Mark. He is still our boss’ husband and we must respect him. Now we have to do damage control by telling Barbara everything said on the phone.” Barbara’s office door was close. She was still feeling hurt by the disrespect she received from Mark, last night, when he came home drunk and smelling like perfume. She believed in her spirit that at the appointed time, she would know what to do. The twins knock on Barbara’ office door. Barbara calls out to the knocker, “Please come in.” Belinda opens the door. Good morning, Barbara, I am sorry we are bothering you; this is important otherwise we would not have knock on your closed door.” “It’s okay Belinda, what is it?” “Let me start by saying, I do not agree with how Malinda handle the phone conversation with Tracy; I will let her tell you word for word what happen.” Malinda tells Barbara exactly what was said over the phone. She apologized to Barbara for being disrespectful to Tracy. She assures Barbara that she would never be that unprofessional again in her place of business. Barbara let the twins know that she appreciates their honesty and for informing her right away. “Malinda, I am happy to hear you understand the need to always be professional at work regardless of who is the caller. You could have simply ended your conversation with Tracy, before it got heated, by offering to transfer the call to me or by letting her know, you will forward her request to me and I will call her back.” “You are correct; sorry Barbara. I will do better.”  Barbara informed the twins that she will handle the situation with Tracy and Mark; and should they receive any more calls from either of them to please forward the calls to her. The twins agreed. Barbara called Mark immediately after the twins left her office.

    “Hello Mark, this is Barbara; I know you are at work, but what I have to say cannot wait until you come home.” “Hi Barbara, I only have ten minutes to spare; I’m due to give a presentation at the board meeting in approximately 20 minutes.” “No worries, what I have to say will only take five minutes. I am calling to let you know that I will not be there when you get home today. I am leaving you. I have found an angel to fly away with me; someone to set me free from you. My heart has been without a home since meeting you. And I chose to not be alone anymore; too long have I loved you without any love in return. Now I am flying free.”

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

    Judy Owens

  • Everybody Plays a Fool Sometimes

    Everybody Plays a Fool Sometimes

    Being naive and green behind the ears leaves one vulnerable to predators.

    Let’s talk about…

    After several temper tantrums, Cindy’s parents agreed to allow her to attend Howard University in Washington DC. Her parents initially wanted Cindy to attend Spelman College so that she could continue to live at home while attending school. They were concerned about Cindy living away from home, in a college dorm. The Coopers has always protected their daughter, who is their only child, by monitoring her friends, activities, and whereabouts. Cindy and her best friend Michael have been friends since they were babies. As a matter of fact, Michael is her only friend. Michael’s dad and Cindy’s dad are second cousins. Michael’s parents, the Blackmans, raised him with similar values to how Cindy was raised; however, Michael was not raised with as many restrictions as Cindy. Michael participated in sports and attended parties in high school. At the age of sixteen, his parents bought him a car. Michael is the reason why Cindy’s parents is allowing her to attend Howard University; because, Michael is attending Howard. They both will live on campus in a dorm. Michael vow to look after Cindy while they are at school.

    Two weeks prior to school starting, Michael’s parents drive with him, in his car, to Howard. The Blackmans fly back home after spending a day in Washington with Michael. Before flying to Washington, Cindy’s parents ship items they knew she would need for school and for her dorm room. The Coopers arrives with Cindy one week prior to the start of school. They helped Cindy fix up her room and made sure she was well familiar with the locations of her classes, the school library and the school security station. Cindy’s parents flew back home two days later after having dinner with her and Michael. Cindy was excited and nervous at the same time about finally being able to be separated from the strong-arm control of her parents. Michael promised Cindy’s parents that he will check in with her every day. He keeps his promise by calling or texting her daily. 

    Cindy made an appointment with the Dean to discuss obtaining two degrees within the time frame for obtaining one degree. Her hope is to have the general course credits applied to both degrees, so that she would only need to take the major course for each degree separate. She feels it is a waste of time and money to take the general courses twice. Cindy arrives ten minutes early for her appointment. She was called into the Dean’s office by someone who looks to be her age. “Hello Cindy, please have a sit. I can tell by the look on your face you are surprised to see someone my age as the Dean.” Cindy nods her head up and down without speaking. “Well, let me introduce myself. My name is Gerald Brown. I am an intern for Dean Anderson. I started my internship at the end of last semester. Although I have obtained a master’s degree in education, I am currently in the process of obtaining a PhD in Education. Not that it is relevant; but I am twenty-five. In Dean Anderson absence, I am more than qualified to handle his affairs. With this being said, how can I help you today. Cindy talks to Gerald about her desire to combined courses in obtaining two degrees at the same time. Gerald informed Cindy that it was obtainable, and she would need to only pay the additional amount for the major course classes in the second degree. Gerald was smitten by Cindy beauty and her quiet shy personality. He called her several times after their meeting to follow up and make sure all is going well. Once Gerald saw that Cindy was settled with her new class scheduled, he called her to ask her out to dinner. She thought, Gerald is an attracted man, but I am not thinking about dating anyone while I am in school. She never had a boyfriend or dated anyone therefore, she did not feel comfortable. Her classes were consuming all her time. Cindy thanks Gerald for his interest before politely declining his offer for dinner. Gerald was not giving up so easy. He could see that Cindy was green behind her ears with very little to no experience in dating. Gerald decided to take it slow by gradually digging a place in Cindy’s heart for him.

    He would leave a single rose or a very small bouquet of flowers outside her dorm room from time to time with a handwritten note on a small card. The note always had a happy face with his initial and the word “heavenly”. On evenings Cindy did not used her meal card, Gerald would order a healthy meal to be delivered to her dorm room with a note stating “your physical health is just as important as your mental knowledge. Enjoy the meal”. Gerald would also text Cindy inspirational pictures or quotes in between her classes’. He was careful not to distract her during class time. On many occasions, Cindy found herself daydreaming about Gerald when she was at the library. She begins to wonder what it was like to have a boyfriend. She didn’t know how to kiss and was frightened to ask Michael. She would catch Michael and his girlfriend kissing in the student recreation hall. In November, Cindy being in ear shot of the students’ conversations overheard many discussing their plans for Thanksgiving week. She discovered many students were going home for the week. Some students were going home with other students to celebrate with their families. To her surprise, many students were staying on campus during Thanksgiving week. She decided to stay so that she can use the time to study. Michael informed Cindy that he was going to fly home instead of driving. He asked her if she wanted to travel on the same flight as him. Cindy told Michael that she was staying on campus to study and complete some assignments that would be due after Thanksgiving. Cindy’s parents were concern about her being on campus without Michael but respect her decision. They wanted her to excel in her courses as much as she did.

    After the students left for the week, Gerald ran into Cindy eating in the school cafeteria. Walking with a tray of food in his hands, he stops at her table and asked to join her for dinner.  As Cindy looks up at him, her heart beings to jump like flowing butterflies. She thought back to all the gifts, food, and text he sent in the past three months. She invited him to sit. They sat there and talked for hours. She couldn’t believe that she was able to engage in a conversation with someone other than Michael for hours. Gerald and Cindy spent the entire Thanksgiving week together. She received her first kiss on Thanksgiving Day. Gerald sensing that he was her first, took it slow. This allowed Cindy the ease needed to follow Gerald led. She found herself enjoying kissing. She didn’t want to stop. Gerald took short breaks in between kisses in order to show Cindy that you have to come up for air. Cindy asked Gerald as an intern why was he given such a great deal of Dean Anderson responsibilities. Gerald explained that last semester internship was to complete the requirements for his master’s degree and this semester’s internship is actually a paying position. It’s helping to pay for his doctor’s degree but it’s not enough. He let Cindy know that he might have to drop out of school to find a better paying job in order to pay down his debt. Cindy asks him about getting a student loan. “Cindy, I have max out the amount of loans I could qualify for without an income. I am not making enough money to qualify for a personal loan.” Cindy felt sorry for Gerald. She wanted to help but knew that her grandparent’s inheritance is for her education and was being controlled by her parents. Gerald begins to fondle Cindy as they laid in her bed kissing. She allowed his fingers to penetrate her to the point of ecstasy. It blew her mind. Gerald spending time in Cindy’s room fondling her became a biweekly thing. Cindy emotions is all over the place. She can’t stop thinking about Gerald. She doesn’t want him to drop out of school. She needs him.

    Cindy begins to research the requirements outlined in her inheritance. She was able to find a loop hole that allowed her to take out $20,000 without her parents’ approval. She informed Gerald of the good news. Cindy paid in full the amount required for Gerald to receive his doctor’s degree. At the end of the school year, Gerald graduated with a PhD in Education. His family drove to Washington DC from Philadelphia to attend the graduation. Gerald was so excited about graduating he didn’t think about Cindy. He assumed Cindy went home, last week, for summer break with the other students who wasn’t graduating. He figures by the time Cindy return to school for the fall semester he would be back in Philly. Little did Gerald know; Cindy delayed her fly for 10 days in order to attend the graduation. Because Gerald never talked about his family, she assumed no one would be there to cheer him on. Besides, she wanted to talk to him about their future together. After the graduation, Cindy carrying half a dozen of balloons is running across the field to Gerald. From a distance, Cindy sees this lady running across the field carrying a dozen of long stem yellow roses. She thinks to herself, I should have bought Gerald some rose as well. The lady with the roses stops in front of Gerald. She hugs him with one arm while holding the roses. She kissed him on the lips before handing him the roses. This must be a family member thought Cindy as she approaches Gerald. Gerald, congratulations shouts Cindy. Gerald turns around, sees Cindy then passed out. Gerald’s fiancée takes the roses out the vase then pours the water on Gerald’s face. Gerald jumps up and begins to run. Gerald fiancée shouts across the field as he is running asking him where he is going. Cindy not sure what is happening introduces herself to the lady as Gerald’s girlfriend. By this time Gerald’s family see what is going on begins to run across the field to prevent the fiancée from spending another three days in jail for knocking out one of Gerald’s so call girlfriends. They were not sure if they would make it in time as they watched the fiancée take off her shoes then reached to pull off her earrings. Gerald’s brother made it in time to grab the fiancée around her waist and pull her away from Cindy just as she was getting in position to swing. Cindy still confused asked, “what is going on”. Gerald’s brother tells Cindy; I just saved you from a TKO. I don’t understand shouts Cindy. Gerald’s brother proceeds to speak. “I do not know who you are; but this is Gerald’s fiancée and the mother of his three-year-old daughter. I could tell from a far by the way Gerald fakes a faint then got up and haul ass off this field, you must be someone he messed around with here at this school. You are not the first; but I am sure you are going to be the last. It’s getting harder for me to hold Gerald’s fiancée still, so my suggestion to you is “get the hell off this field as fast as possible. The last time Bertha came to this school to see Gerald, she ends up in jail for three days after knocking a girl out who introduced herself as Gerald’s girlfriend. Cindy turns and runs off the field. One of Cindy’s female professors was observing the entire incident. When Cindy ran past her, she followed her to the dormitory.

    The teacher knocks on Cindy’s door. “Cindy, this is Mrs. West your psychology professor. Please let me in Cindy.” Cindy opens the door, she is crying. “Cindy, listen to me. You cannot beat up yourself because someone lied to you by not revealing the truth of their life. Everyone plays a fool sometimes; there is no exceptions to the rule. It doesn’t matter how much experience one has in relationship or wisdom in life; emotions will override it all. Emotions sometimes controls our ability to think clear. Emotions sometimes controls what our gut instinct is telling us. Especially when the emotions feel like love. Please do not give up on school or on finding true love in the future. Please allow me to counsel you when you return to school in the fall. I am more than a psychology teacher. I am a licensed psychologist who works with the hospital. Based on what I observed on the field, you need to heal from that experience to recognize and accept into your life a healthier relationship.

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

    Judy Owens

  • Opening Your Legs to A Married Man; Then Calling it Blessed.

    Opening Your Legs to A Married Man; Then Calling it Blessed.

    I’m not judging; just fruit inspecting.

    Let’s talk it…

    “This is it!” shouts Patricia, who is known as Pat for short; “I am so tired of meeting and dating guys who do not have any money and is always looking for the women to pay half the check every time we go out to eat. I vow to put me first regardless of what anyone thinks of me. I vow to go after what I want at any cost.” Frustrated, Patricia calls her best friend Barbie to vent her anger. “Hey Barbie, what’s up girl?” “Hey, Pat, nothing much. What are you up to? You sound upset.” “Girl, I am going to break up with John.” “So, another one bites the dust, you are dropping them like they are hot. What happen this time? Why are you breaking up with John? He is good for you.” “Why would you think he is good for me?” “Well, you both are 25 years old and do not have any kids. You both have the same interest in sports, entertainment and you both work in the hospital.” “Barbie, John, and I are so different when it comes to finances. He asks me to Cash App him my portion of the bill every time we go out to eat and whenever we purchase tickets to attend sport events, concerts or to see a movie.” “I hear you Pat, but take it from me; I am ten years your senior. Sometimes, you must hang in there with your significant other when you both are freshly finding your way in life. You two graduated from college only three years ago and you both have only been employed for a couple of years. Give him a chance to work his way up the ladder before you criticize him for not being a provider. Keep in mind, he is not your husband; you do not have kids together and he makes only a couple of dollars per hour more than you.” “Barbie, are you not the same person who told me how a man starts the relationship sets a foundation towards how it would end up.” “Yes, I did say that; however, there is always an exception to the rule and I think John is this exception. He is a good man. Besides, have you two discuss your future endeavors as far as marriage and the responsibility of each person in the marriage?” “No Barbie, it is too soon for that type of conversation. I do not think John and I would ever have that conversation; because, I am not looking to marry him. He does not make enough money for me and he is cheap.” “Pat, are you judging John based on your interpretation of what is a man?” “I am not judging; I am fruit inspecting. His tree is bare and is not producing much fruit.” “Okay Pat, on that note; I am shouting Uncle! I give up. Anyway, I would like to invite you and John to my fifth-year anniversary party. It will be in 2 1/2 weeks. The invitations will be mailed tomorrow.” “Thanks for the heads up. I will let John know. I will talk with you later. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

    As both ladies hang up the phone, Pat thinks out loud; well back to my thoughts on self-vows. Suddenly, Pat’s thoughts shift to Barbie’s party. She realized it is a great possibility that Barbie’s husband would invite some of his friends as well as some of his business partners. Pat begins to think out loud again. “It would be good to meet someone exactly like Barbie’s husband. He is a good-looking man for his age. I think Barbie said, he is 40ish. He owns several businesses and he is a good provider. Barbie do not have to do anything but look pretty. His Nigerian accent is a little too heavy for me; however, his giving heart speaks loud and clear.” Pat decided she would go solo to the party. She did not need John there intercepting any passes that might come her way. She was ready to find a rich African man. Pat went shopping to find the perfect outfit for the party. Pat, thinking out loud once again; “The outfit has to be sexy and revealing just enough flesh to arouse curiosity.” Pat purchases a sexy, tight red dress. She could not wait until the party. Pat and John had previously planned to have dinner after the movie on Saturday. She felt this would be the perfect time to put things on hold with John while she pursues her idea man.

    John makes small talk at dinner by asking Pat her thoughts on the movie. Pat was slow to speak. Normally, she would be the one engaging John into conversation about the movies they watch. John noticed that Pat was distracted in her thoughts; her body was presence, but her mind was obviously somewhere else. John breaks the awkwardness of Pat’s silence by saying, “a penny for your thoughts.” Pat thought to herself before speaking; that is the problem, your ass is cheap as hell, talking about a penny for my thoughts. “John, I need to discuss a very sensitive serious issue with you.” “Okay, what is it?” “I think we should put our relationship on hold to focus more on our careers. We both are in our prime at the hospital. You are working in two capacities; part-time as an X-ray technician and part-time as respiratory therapist. We both are paid at the lowest rate on the scale for our professions because we are newly out of school without any previous experiences. Besides, as a LVN nurse, I would like to further my education to become a Registered nurse.” “I understand states John. When do you want this brake to begin?” “I think it should start after this weekend. On Monday, I would like to start looking into a Register Nurse program.”

    Pat shows up at Barbie’s anniversary party ready to mingle. She is a lady on a mission. She walks around the party looking for familiar faces. She notices Barbie and her husband are on the other end of the room. As she walks towards them, she is looking around to see if any African men are present at the party. Barbie greeted Pat with a hug. “Pat, you remember my husband Akin.” “Yes, happy anniversary Akin”, states Pat as she hugs him. Akin, couldn’t speak as he stares at the red dress Pat was wearing. Barbie breaks the silence by pointing out to Pat the area where she can get a drink before dinner. Barbie asked Pat, where is John. We will talk about it at another time replied Pat. Pat begins to walk in the direction pointed out by Barbie. She noticed; Pat’s husband was watching her as she walked away. Unfortunately, Pat did not find any rich African men at the party. She thought about trying an app dating site for meeting professional African men. Barbie calls Pat the week following her party. She was upset and felt Pat owes her an ear to vent. “Hey Pat, are you busy.” “No, I was getting ready to sign up on this dating site; it can wait.” “This time, I am calling you to vent.” “Ok Barbie, let me give you my undivided attention, you never call me to vent. This must be serious.” “It is, stating Barbie. Akin and I are having problems in our marriage. I never talked about it because I thought things would get better as we celebrated making it to five years of marriage; but the party made it worse.” “How so asked Pat.” “Well, our problem began two years after we were married. Akin asked me to give him a son to carry on his name and legacy. I have tried to get pregnant on my own and with IVF; but my womb does not hold the embryo more than two months. Akin has stopped being intimate with me. I was going to talk to him about finding a surrogate when he asked me to leave our home. He gave me the keys to one of his rental homes then told me, he will have my things delivery in two days.” “Wow Barbie, I am sorry to hear this. I pray all work out for you. You know I am not the voice of reason or wisdom. I will keep you in my prayers. Give me a call once you get settle into the home Akin gave to you so I can come to check on you.” “Will do Pat. I will talk to you later.” Immediately after hanging up from Barbie, Pat searched on Instagram for Akin. She finds him; then preceded to send him a DM letting him know that she was sorry to hear that his marriage is over; but she wanted him to know that she is here for him and that she cares about his happiness and legacy. She further expressed, if he needed anyone to talk with, she was available day or night. She gives him her personal phone number and ended with I do house calls. Three days after receiving Pat’s DM, Akin text her to request a house call. Within an hour, Pat shows up at Akin home wearing a sexy tight body jump suit with six-inch heels. Pat had stop taking birth control after breaking up with John. Her and Akin became intimate that evening. Pat blocks Barbie number in her phone as she continued to have an intimate relationship with her husband. Six weeks after sleeping with Akin, Pat finds out she is pregnant. Akin moves Pat into his home and forbids her to work. He does not want her to be under any stress as she carries his child. Pat wants to celebrate with a gender reveal party so she can invite all her friends and family. Pat asked Akin when is he planning on divorcing Barbie. After you give birth states Akin, I do not want any stress during this pregnancy. After everyone enjoy themselves with food, drinks, and entertainment, it was time to reveal the sex of the baby. Pat comes to the podium to speak as Akin waits for her cue to pull the string for the balloons to fall from the huge black bag holding them in the ceiling. “Hello everyone, thank you all for coming to celebrate with us. I am so blessed to have this good man in my life. God is still in the blessing business. Akin and I are having our first child in life as a couple. I would often hear the church mothers say that God will give you double for your trouble. Well, God has given me double. Akin, you and I are pregnant with twins. Akin could not believe what he was hearing. Pat had kept this information from him so that she could surprise him at the gender reveal party. Akin accidentally pulls the string as he rushes over to Pat to hug her. The proud couple is having twin boys.

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

    Judy Owens

  • Anger Caused Me to Black Out

    Anger Caused Me to Black Out

    “Good morning, Lisa. You are early for your appointment” “Hello, Doctor Ruth. I could not sleep last night. Because I am your first appointment for the day, I decided to come in earlier than my appointment time in fear of falling to sleep and missing my appointment” “Ok Lisa, why the long face? I thought you enjoyed our weekly counseling sessions.” “I am sorry Dr. Ruth, it’s not you. I had another incident this past week and I am disappointed in myself. I was so proud of the progress I had made before this incident.” “Have a sit Lisa, let me get you a cup of coffee and we will start our session as soon as I return a couple of phone calls. I promise we will start at your appointment time” “Ok Dr. Ruth, thank you.”

    Lisa is a thirty-year-old single woman without kids. As she waits for her appointment with Dr. Ruth to start, she thinks back on her childhood. Lisa’s parents married at a young age because her mother was pregnant. Her dad was an excellent provider. At the age of eighteen, he got a job working in an automotive repair shop. He would drop off and pick up customers who cars were in the shop for repair. Also, he would keep the shop clean as the mechanics worked. On occasion, he would make a run for the shop owner picking up parts. The shop owner encouraged Lisa’s father Russell to go to trade school to become a certified mechanic. When Russell shared with Lisa’s mother his plans to go to school, she was supportive. Russell reminded his wife Joyce, going to school at night meant he would be away from home longer. Joyce understood the sacrifice would pay-off once he completed school. After Lisa’s father became a certified mechanic, his boss promoted him to a mechanic position. Within two years Russell became the top mechanic. This was great news for Lisa’s mom Joyce, because their family was growing.

    Ten years and three kids later, Russell has saved enough money to open his first automotive shop. The stress of being a business owner started after Russell opens his third automotive shop. He started to drink every evening after work to relax. The fights begin when Lisa was eight years old. Her dad would drink then argue with her mother for having so many kids that he had to spend his life working to feed everyone. The fights would be so intense that the police were called by neighbors on several occasions. Lisa’s mom would pass out when her dad was choking her. Lisa spent her childhood in fear of her dad. She loved both her parents but was so fearful of her dad killing her mother. She wanted her mom to fight back; but her mother never did. She would stand there and take the beatings. Lisa grew up confused about life. She could not understand why her mother did not leave if she was not going to fight back. Lisa’s thoughts were interrupted by Dr. Ruth. “Lisa, thank you for patiently waiting until your appointment time. You can come into my office now. Let us start today’s session with the thoughts that race through your mind as you laid awoke last night.”  “Well, Dr. Ruth, as previously stated, I was proud of the progress I had made with the help of counseling. Yesterday, I was having Sunday brunch with a few close friends. One of my friends invited someone she knew I had beef with in, the past.” “What do you mean by beef?” “Sorry Dr. Ruth, beef is slang for problem. Anyhow, I had problems with this one girl in the past. We got into an altercation when she accused me of sleeping with her boyfriend.

    My friend knows about the beef, I mean problem I have with this girl. This is why, I cannot understand why she invited her without telling me or why the girl came to a brunch that I am sure she knew I would be at.” “Lisa, why are you so sure that this girl had knowledge that you would be present at the brunch?” “Well, I assumed she knew, because I cannot see my friend not telling her that I would be there.” “Okay, so you are saying that your friend, as you call her, intentionally did not tell you that she invited someone you have a problem with; but did tell the girl you have a problem with; that you would be presence at the brunch.” “I have to think about that one Dr. Ruth; hearing you repeat back to me what I just said doesn’t make much sense to me. I guess my anger is confusing my thoughts.” “Who are you angry with?” “I am angry with my friend for inviting this girl. I am angry with the girl for coming. I am angry with me for believing my friend is my friend.” “Okay, let’s talk about this anger. When did you discovered you were angry?” “I became angry immediately after this girl arrived at the brunch. Once I found out who invited her, I became angrier.” “How soon after becoming angry did you have another incident?” “Well, I sat quietly, eating for about fifteen minutes while the ladies socialized. When my friend asked me why I wasn’t participating in conversation, I lost it.” “What do you mean by lost it?” “I Blacked Out. When I came to myself, my friend was wearing her plate of food on her head and security was loosening my hands from the grip I had around the girl’s neck.” “Were you arrested?” “Security asked my friend and the girl if they wanted to press charges against me. They were instructed that the police would have to be called if they wanted to press charges. Both said no. I was escorted out the restaurant as the other ladies were allowed to stay.” “So, there was a fifteen-minute window between you becoming angry and having an incident.” “Yes, that is correct.” “Yet, you chose to sit there hoping for what instead of getting up and walking away before the incident.” “I do not know Dr. Ruth. I do not know why I chose to sit there when I know I was angry.” “Lisa, we have discussed in previously sessions that in every past incident you had, there was always a small window between the anger you felt and the incident occurring. We always discussed that your course of action is to remove yourself from around the people or place that is causing you anger until you have a chance to calm down. Yet you chose to sit there instead of walking away.”

    “Yes, but I am telling you that I don’t know why I chose to sit there.” “Lisa, I think you do know. In order for you to articulate and use power over these incidents, you must be honest with yourself. We as human beings, first level of defense when we are called out on our wrong is to lie. Once the lie has been spoken, our pride would not allow us to admit we lied because we feel that gives the person, we lied to power over us. So, we continued to lie until we actually believe the lie, we told. We eventually get to a place where we no longer know what truth is versus what is a lie. Lies torment our spirit, this is why we do not have any peace when we lie. It is truth that sets us free. When we can stand before a person and tell the truth, especially after lying we gain power and peace. We are no longer condemned by the lie regardless of how much that person we lied to tries to make us feel condemned. There is a feeling of freedom and peace that surpasses all understanding when we tell the truth. The thing we do not realize is that most times people can tell when we are lying. But we think if we stick to the lie, eventually the person we lied to would start to believe the lie and would feel bad for not believing us in the beginning. It is amazing how the prideful human defense mechanism wants someone else to feel bad for not initially believing a lie told to them. We wrestle within ourselves when we hold on to a lie. Lisa, I want you to set yourself free. I cannot do it for you. So, when you are ready to truthfully answer my question then and only then can I help you.  So let me ask you once again; you chose to sit there hoping for what instead of getting up and walking away before the incident.” “Dr. Ruth, I needed an excuse to do what I was thinking when I learned that my so-called best friend invited this girl to brunch without telling me. I felt like slapping the shit out of her and this girl. I knew it would be a matter of time before one of them say something that would trigger me and the incident would take over. I knew the black outs would clear me of any intentionally wrongdoing especially since I am under a doctor’s care.” “Lisa, now you are on the path to truly healing from past hurt and pain; and to gaining victory over the black outs so that no one else is hurt by them.”

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

    Judy Owens

  • Sparing the Rod of Wisdom will Spoil the Child

    Sparing the Rod of Wisdom will Spoil the Child

    A wise attitude, belief, or course of action is the navigation to common sense.

    Webster dictionary defines Spare as “to refrain from: to avoid; to exempt from something.” It defines Rod as “punishment;” and Spoil is defined as “to damaged seriously or to impair the quality or the effect of. Also, to lose valuable or useful qualities as a result of decay.”

    Let’s talk about it…

    “Good morning doctor Young.” “Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Agate, today we will find out the gender of your babies. As previously stated, you are having fraternal twins, which means it’s a possibility that your babies may be of the same sex or different sexes. This is due to the fertilization of two separate eggs.” Doctor Young asked his nurse to setup the ultrasound equipment as Mrs. Agate undress from the waist down. As doctor Young describes and point out the twins features on the machine, he prints a copy of the ultrasound results. The proud parents are happy to hear they are having a boy and a girl.  Bobby and Pearl were so happy with the news, they took the rest of the day off work to celebrate. They would prefer to celebrate at their favorite restaurant but thought it would be best if they order food for delivery; so that they could plan the gender reveal party as well as discuss parenting do’s and don’ts.

    Bobby comes from a strict upbringing. As he puts it; he was forced to go to church all day on Sundays and to bible study every Wednesday night. His summers were spent at the church day camp for kids. He recalls, often receiving direct orders on what he was not allowed to do without any explanation other than his parents stating, “those are the things of the devil.” As a child, Bobby often wonders why all the things forbidden by his parents and label as the things of the devil appeared to be so much fun to the neighborhood kids. He watched the kids in his neighborhood play at the park chasing each other, tossing a ball back and forth to each other, swim on hot days, play sports and go to other kids’ birthday parties. Bobby was taught to not question his elders, but to do as he was told. The grownups in his church would often say; as God’s children, we are not allowed to question him; we are only to follow the principles of the bible. For this reason, kids were not allowed to question their elders; only do as they were told. Bobby grew up following principles but lacking understanding. On the other hand, Bobby’s wife Pearl grows up opposite of him.

    Pearl went to church with her family every Sunday for one service only. Her family would pray together every morning. She was allowed to play at the park, go to other kids’ birthday parties and swim at the local YMCA on hot days. Her parents were teachers; they believed in communication and therefore would take time to explain things or provide explanations for their decisions. They would give their kid scenarios as an example to why something was good for them or bad for them. They spoke using terminology that was within the scope of their kids understanding.

    As Bobby and Pearl ate dinner, they wrote down the plans for their gender reveal party. They could not come to a command ground on the principles of how to raise their children. They both agreed to raise their kids believing in God and understanding the power of prayer. However, Bobby did not want restrictions. He feels the kids should be allowed to experience life without restrictions. Pearl feels limited restrictions is okay with explanations and scenarios to bring understanding as to why something was prohibited. Pearl agreed to allow Bobby to raise their son using his principles as she raises their daughter using the principles from her upbringing. The twins were born healthy. Bobby Jr was born weighting six pounds nine ounces and Christina was born weighting five pounds ten ounces. They were close through-out their childhood. They would often talk to each other sharing information about their friends or activities they were participating in. Christina noticed that her brother was not guided by the same principles as herself. Three months before turning eighteen, she questions her mother about the double standard, as to why Bobby Jr was allowed to experience life without restrictions. Pearl made hot chocolate and place a few short bread cookies on a serving plate, as her and Christina sits down to have a heart-to-heart conversation regarding the decision her and Bobby Sr made concerning the principles’ used in raising her and her brother. Now that Christina understands the difference in principles use to raise them, she asked her mother would it be okay if she advised her brother based on the principles she was raised on. She did not want to go against her parent’s agreement they made with each other years ago. Pearl gave Christina her blessings.

    Bobby Jr was hanging out with his friends, drinking and partying as they race their cars up and down the streets near the beach one Saturday night. Bobby with two of his friends were arrested for drinking in public under the age of 21; also, for racing. Although Bobby was not the person behind the wheel of the car, he is the owner of the car and was in the car as his friend raced against another car. The police had both cars, in the race, impounded. Bobby called his sister to come pick him up from the police station as he was released with a citation to appear in court. Christina used the drive home time to talk with her brother about his unwise decisions. She started by telling him about the conversation she had with their mother regarding the double standards in their up bringing. “Bobby Jr, this conversation is not to find fault in our father’s decision to allow you to experience life without restrictions. However, I believe you should have been guided with wisdom. Sharing wisdom with your child is not restricting their life experience, but it is equipping them with tools to help them make better decisions in life. We were raised believing in the power of prayer and in God. We were raised with the understanding that the bible is the only true instruction book for life. Therefore, in order to gain wisdom, we must read our bible and allow the wisdom of the bible to help us navigate through life, especially when our elders or parents is refraining from teaching us wisdom. We both know that Proverbs is known as the book of Wisdom in the bible; and it bases wisdom solidly on the love of God. In Proverbs chapter 13: verse 24; Solomon talks about sparing the rod will spoil the child. We know, to spare means to refrain from or to avoid. The Rod is speaking of discipline or punishment, and spoil is speaking of being strip of natural covering or to lose valuable or useful quality as a result of decay. So, when dad is sparing you from wisdom and discipline, he is not fully sharing the love of God with you. And his decision to not do so is causing you to decay in value. Brother, I think you need to go to dad and have a heart-to-heart conversation with him on the importance of him sharing wisdom with you. It would help you to make better life decisions that will not cause your life to decay because of him pampering you. You lack in having wise knowledge, also in the ability to discern people inner qualities and intentions, you lack in making good judgment in what is safe or not, and in a course of action for navigating with common sense when you are facing danger. Brother, I want you to bear good fruit so that you can one day teach wisdom and discipline to your future children. Your lack is guiding you in the same direction as your friend William who is now serving three years in person. Please brother have that hard conversation with dad and ask him to tell you the truth about his upbring and the reason why he chose not to raise you with restrictions and discipline. Tell dad the truth about what you have been experiencing because of the lack in knowledge on discipline.

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

    Judy Owens

  • Trapped by This Thing Called Love

    Trapped by This Thing Called Love

    Not a romance novel love story

    Let’s talk about it…

    At the age of sixteen, April wanted more from life besides helping her mother with the household chores and taking care of her younger siblings. April hated being the oldest child, because it came with a great deal of responsibility. Although she is an “A” student with a 4.0 GPA each time April would talk with her mother about joining an after-school curriculum such as band, track or cheerleader, her mother would minimize the activity by telling April it has no substance or add no value to your life. April was known as a social misfit among her classmates.  April grew up in the era when computers was not a household name, she would often tell her mother, she needed to research for a school project or paper. April was allowed to go to the local library for approximately 90 minutes after school. April would go to the library two to three times a week. She would use her time at the library to read romance novels. April would often fantasize about dating a guy just like the person in the novel.

    After graduating high school, April got a part-time job at the library while attending community college. Her mother still forbids any activity outside of work and school. April knew the only way she would be able to experience life is to move out her mother’s home. At age nineteen she got a second part-time job as a cashier in a book store. April found a studio apartment near school. Her jobs were within walking distance of her apartment. April was mesmerized by this guy who would come to the book store at least once a week. He fits the profile of the person she would fantasize about while reading romance novels. Without any self-control, April would stare at the fantasy guy each time he enters the store. One day after clocking out to go home, April noticed her fantasy guy was still in the store. She did not want to leave but had no other choice because her shift was up and she did not want her co-workers to question why she was hanging around.  As she heads for the door, she noticed in her peripheral vision someone approaching her.  Upon exiting the store, she hears from a near, “excuse me miss, but do I know you? You look familiar.” As she turns around, April notice it is her fantasy man. She was so nervous she could hardly speak. She was trying to get the words out without stuttering. The fantasy man could tell she was startle by his presence; so, he begins to apologize. As he turns to walk away, April shouted “No, please do not go. Hi my name is April.” “Hi April, my name is Leo.” Leo begins to explain to April, that he had noticed each time he comes into the store, she would stare at him which led him to wonder if they had previously met. According to Leo, he did not want to appear rule because of poor memory. April could not say to him that he looks like the person in her fantasy; instead, she tells him that he looks like someone she once knew. She hated lying to him but did not want him to think she was weird. Leo looked at her ring finger before asking her if she had a boyfriend. Blushing, April says no. Leo asked April if he could take her to dinner. Inside April thoughts were shouting to the top of the mountain Yes! What came out was a soft melody; yes. April’s first date with Leo was at a $10.99 all-you-could-eat buffet on the other side of town. April did not care; she was so happy to be with Leo. As they ate, Leo asked April about herself. The more April spoke the less nervous she felt.

    Leo and April have been talking over the phone for nearly five months, with an occasional dinner at the all-you-could-eat buffet. April suddenly realizes that she did not have his phone number and each time he called her, he called from a private number; also, he did not speak above a whisper or talk longer than five to ten minutes. Leo behavior reminds April of when she lived with her mother and was under her mother’s control. Therefore, she did not want to make him uncomfortable by questioning him about his home life. One evening, rather than take April to dinner, Leo brought pizza over to April’s place for dinner. After a quick dinner, they began to make out sexually. April was made a woman that evening. She did not know how to process the emotions felt. She thought to herself, this must be what they call love. She loved what she was feeling and wanted more. She wanted Leo to wrap his arms around her afterwards and hold her. Instead, he got up went to the bathroom before heading home. Although she wanted more of him, she did not voice it verbally because she understood living in a controlled home environment, the need to return home by a certain time. Leo no longer took April on the other side of town for dinner. The routine had changed to Leo bringing pizza for dinner once a week to April’s place; with him leaving immediately after they have sex.

    One month before April’s graduation from community college, she finds out she is pregnant. Also, she had applied for a full-time administration job at the college and was waiting to hear back the results of her interview. She was hoping for good news so that she could tell Leo all the good news at once. When Leo called her that evening for their brief ten-minute conversation, she asked him could they do something special to celebrate her graduation. “What would you like to do asked Leo?” “I would like to go to a fancy restaurant for dinner replied April.” Okay, there is an Apple Bees on the other side of town near the buffet restaurant. April was excited. The next day, she was offered the position as an Administration Clerk at the college. She could now quit both her part-time jobs for a position with benefits that pays triple the amount of both part-time jobs combined. The evening after graduation, April and Leo is enjoying dinner at Apple Bees when April shares the good news with him. She started the conversation by telling him about her new position. Leo was so proud of her and expressed it to her. However, when she told him the good news of them becoming parents because she was pregnant, he almost fell out his seat. He begins to choke on his drink. Everyone in the restaurant looked in their direction as April pats him on the back trying to help the liquid pass through his system without further complications. Once he finishes coughing, April asked him if he was okay. “Hell no, shouted Leo.” April was taken back by his changed in tone and attitude. As she asked him what I did; he was shouting check please. Leo pays the bill then heads for the door without saying anything to April. She runs to keep up with him. Both were silent in the car ride home. Leo tells April to get out when he arrives at her place. April refused to get out the car until Leo tells her what she did wrong. “You got pregnant, that is what you did wrong, shouts Leo. I am married with kids; I do not need any more kids or another baby mama.” April was in shock. She did not know what to say or how to think. This was not how the stories went in the romance novels she read. Leo never called April anymore after that evening.

    Eight months later, April gives birth to a daughter. She vowed to love and care for her daughter the best she could. Leo being her first and only, she still has love for him. She named her daughter Leona. On Leona’s fifth birthday April take her to an amusement park. Heading home from the amusement park, April and Leona stop to pick up cupcakes and ice cream. As they were leaving the ice cream store, they bump into Leo. April and Leo stood facing each other without words. Leona broke the silence by asking her mother who is the man you staring at. No one Leona, let’s go home. Leo gently grabs April by her arm. Wait, he shouts in a soft tone. This is my daughter? “Mom, why this man asked if I am his daughter?” “I will talk to you about it at home Leona, after we have our cake and ice cream.” April pulled away from Leo as her and Leona walked to the car. Leo called April several times that evening. “Mama, answer your phone. Why are you not answering your phone?” Aprils go to the bathroom without answering her daughter. When the phone rings again, Leona answers it. Leo, asked who is this on the phone. “My name is Leona; what is your name?” “My name is Leo; I am your father.” “My father; why haven’t I seen you before today? My mother did not tell me I had a father” “I am sorry Leona; it is my fault you have not seen me. I want to make it up to you by asking your mother if I could come see you. Can you let your mother know that I am on the phone and I want to speak to her?” “Okay, hold on.” Leona shouts through the bathroom door. “Mom, my dad Leo is on the phone, he wants to talk to you.” “Tell him I am not home and I don’t want to talk to him.” Leo hears April telling Leona what to say. He stops her before she has a chance to repeat what her mother said. “Leona, tell your mother I will call her back another day. Bye baby, daddy is looking forward to seeing you one day soon.” “Bye, states Leona before hanging up.” April found herself crying all night as the following lyrics played in her ear.

    Somebody tell me; What has this man got; He makes me cry; When I don’t want to cry; Somebody tell me; What has this man got; He makes me lie; When I don’t want to lie; He calls me up; And I tell them to say that I’m not home; Then I cry all night; If he doesn’t call again; I’m slowly losing my ground; Slowly sinking down; Trapped by this thing they call love.

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

    Judy Owens

  •  Parenting Grown Kids

     Parenting Grown Kids

    How to retire from parenting when grown ass kids keep running back to mommy when it is convenient for them.

    Let’s talk about it…

    Today is move day, thought Pat as she grabs her gym bag out the closet and heads for the door. She yells upstairs to let her youngest child James’s know that she is leaving and should be back before the movers arrive. At 5:30 in the morning, James is still sleep and did not hear his mom. After an hour of working out, Pat shower at the gym before going to her favorite café for an early breakfast. She sat in the café reminiscing about when her five kids were babies. The waitress interrupts her thoughts as she served Pat’s order, a veggie omelet with hash brown and hot coffee. Pat was enjoying her meal when her phone started ringing back-to-back. As she grabs her napkin to wipe her hands before reaching into her gym bag for her phone, she counted as least 4 missed calls. Who is this calling me like the world is coming to an end thought Pat. James calls his mom again before she had a chance to return his call. As soon as Pat picks up the call, before saying hello, James shouts in a panicky tone, “Mom, where are you? The movers will be here in thirty minutes.” “James, you are the one moving, not me. Besides, I told you I was leaving this morning, replied Pat.” “Mom, you know I do not wake up before ten a.m. on the weekends. The movers will be here at 8 a.m., I was depending on you to wake me up before they arrive. If it was not for some clown racing his motorcycle down the street, I would still be sleep. Where are you anyway?” James, I am in the middle of breakfast at J’s café. “Oh, that’s the spot, bring me back a meat lover’s omelet, cheese on top with a side of hash browns and orange juice.” Okay James, I will see you shortly. “Don’t be long mom, your baby boy is hungry.” Pat shifts her thoughts back to when the kids was little. She remembers her parents telling her that she was too young to get marry at the age of nineteen. Pat was so determined to prove her parents wrong; she never asked them for help at the age of twenty-one when she became pregnant with her first child. Pat and her husband figure out life the best they could as their family grew from two to seven. The waitress interrupts Pat thoughts again as she brings the take-out order with the check. Pat goes to the front cashier to pay the check before leaving.

     When Pat arrive home the movers was just starting to load the truck. She bought them donuts from the café. James come running down the stairs shouting “Mom, what took you so long?” Pat shakes her head as she thought this will soon be over. Her thoughts flipped to how good it will be to have her garage back after all the weights, dumbbells, drum set, guitars and boxes were out. I am so glad James is taking all the furniture in his bedroom. I will turn his room into an office. No need to have three empty bedrooms. Two guest bedrooms is enough for whoever comes to visit. With all five of my kids out the house, maybe I will join a social club. I am single, fifty-five and ready to mingle. It would be good to have some friends to travel with, or attend entertainment events with.

    A few weeks after James moves out the family home, Pat’s phone rings none stop. Her kids were constantly calling to ask her to babysit their kids or to borrow money that they never pay back. Pat felt like all five of her kids were implying through actions that she was their personal assistant. It was like each child was trying to beat the other child to her time and money. As Pat was having lunch in her office her phone rings. She looks at the caller ID; it is Jesse her oldest child. Jesse is thirty-three years of age, marry with two kids. Okay thought Pat today is Wednesday, what can he be calling about. Usually, he calls on Fridays asking me to babysit his kids for the weekend. “Hello Jesse.” “Hey Mom.” “What’s wrong Jesse, you sound horrible.” “That is why I am calling you. I am not feeling well. I am taking the next two days off work and need to stay with you until I feel better.” “Jesse, why can’t your wife take care of you?” “Mom, you know Betty still work outside the home. She does not have the privilege of working from home like you; besides, she does not know how to make the chicken soup you make when we are sick. Your chicken soup always made us feel better as kids.” “Okay Jesse, I will make up the bed in your old room.” “By the way mom, Betty and I need you to babysit the kids this weekend. I need to rest after coming home from your house.” Pat hung up the phone without replying to Jesse’s request for her to babysit. Of course, Pat was not going to say no to Jesse, she just did not want him to think he was in control of her life and time.

    I am so happy it is Monday thought Pat; Jesse and his kids wore me out the last four days. I am going to be selfish with my time this weekend. Pat looks at the caller ID of her ringing phone. “What now? Thought Pat.” “Yes James.” “Dang mom, why you answer the phone like that? You are making me feel a certain kind of way.” “Sorry James, I had a long weekend with your brother Jesse’s kids.” “Oh, okay; all is forgiven mom. Look, I am calling because I need you to look over this contract for an upcoming tour as a band member for a major artist.” “Son, it sounds like you need a lawyer.” “Mom, you studied business law, why can’t you do this for me? Besides, I don’t have money to pay a lawyer right now. You know I just moved out. The money I make as a fitness trainer is just enough to cover my monthly expenses.” “Okay James, bring the contract over this evening around 6:00p.” As Pat was going over James’s contract with him, her oldest daughter Pam calls. “Hello Pam, I am here with James helping him with some paperwork. Can I call you back after he leaves?” “Mom, as the baby of the family, James is always taking your time away from the rest of your kids.” “Pam, that is not true. What is it that you need Pam?” “Why you say it like that mom? See, this is what I am saying; every time you are occupying your time with James, you treat the rest of your kids like second class citizens.” “Pam, I am sorry it sounds that way; it’s just that I am tire.” “Well let me get to it so you can get some rest by helping James. I am calling because my friends and I are going on a cruise to the Bahamas. I need to borrow six hundred dollars to pay-off the balance I owe for my share of the cruise.” “Pam, why are you going on a vacation cruise that you cannot afford? What makes you think that I have money sitting in the bank waiting for your future expenditures to come swift it away.” “Mom, I asking to borrow not give to me. You are an old school mom, so I know you have a stash of bills hidden somewhere.” “Pam, you still owe me from the last five times you had to borrow money. I cannot afford to keep letting you borrow money that you do not pay back. When do I start enjoying the fruit of my labor when all my saving is going to my grown kids?” “Wait, hold up shouts James, I don’t ask you for money mom.” “No, you don’t ask me for money James; just to buy you things that cost money.” “Well, this is not about me, so I am exiting left out of you and Pam’s conversation.” “Pam, this is the last time I will be lending you money. The bank is close after this withdrawal. Your father and I have raised you kids without any help from family. We learned how to budget our finances so that we would not become a burden on someone else. We did not assume someone else planned their finances around our needs. We understood our parents were officially retired from parenting once their grown kids moved out the house by age 21. This does not mean that we could not consult with them for advice. Once they advised, we did the work ourselves. I am going to call a family meeting this weekend. I will ask your father to be present. It is time, you 21 and over grown ass kids understand to call a doctor when you are sick and have your spouse nurse you back to health. To not spend what you do not have. To save for rainy days. To hire a babysitter from an outside agency; not your mom. I do not know if you all go to your father as much as you come to me. Either way, it must stop. I want to enjoy my live by taking vacations and hanging out with friends. I would love to be in a romantic relationship with someone again. I cannot do these things as long as I am parenting grown kids.”

    Pat finally found the strength to say no to her kids and to live out loud by posting online her enjoyment from the fruit of her labor. Ralph, a college classmate of Pat’s came across one of her postings and decided to send a direct message to her on Instagram. Pat was flabbergasted to receive a message from an old classmate. She was surprised that he recognized her after over thirty years. Pat and Ralph rekindle their friendship and eventually began to exclusively date each other.

    https://a.co/d/5au6GYA

    Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

    Judy Owens