Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said: "Joy: Joy is prayer, Joy is strength, Joy is love, Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. The best way to show our gratitude to God and people is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of Christ risen. This I tell my sisters, this I tell to you."

Juanita Barnes

I read the most wonderful story of a family celebrating the birthday of Ms. Ada B. Jones. Mother Jones turned 107 on June 8, 2007. What a wealth of wisdom. Her mind is very sound. In attendance at her celebration were about 90 friends and family members.

Those in attendance included the mayor of Moreno Valley Charles White, Pastors Art and Jacqueline Wooten, doctors, nurses, attorneys and many more. Congratulations Mother Jones. Thanks  for all that you have done to help women like me. Although you may not know me,  you are a great woman of God and you paved the way just like my granny, my mother and so many others.

 After reading Hardy Brown's editorial this past week, I had to read it again because it made me reminisce about my dad, my grandfather and my father-in-law and the foundation they laid for me. 

The things Mr. Brown spoke of were similar in my life. My father taught me how to shoot a rifle even though I fell a few times backwards but I did not waste bullets. Like Regina's question, I wanted to know why did my father choose me and he often talked to me about how good he felt being chosen as my dad.

Thank you Mr. Brown for taking us back in time. And the tribute to Black fathers & fatherhood, how powerful. To all the fathers, keep up the good work you are doing a great job. When things seem strange think of who you are and always remember your children are our future leaders.