From Me to Bernadine

For all the times you had to come outside in your pink robe when I stayed out too long.

For the days we danced in the kitchen.

For giving me your eyes even though they don't open that wide like my daddy.

For the time I forgot my mouthpiece for the football game and you came on the sideline to bring me one.

For anytime you thought your kids were the best at anything even if everyone else thought differently.

For saying No and not caring what the rest of the mamas in the hood did.

For knowing how to cook the cabbage until it’s brown and sweet.

For knowing I like my gumbo with lots of File`.

For knowing that something is wrong with me even without me saying anything.

For every time I had a problem with a company or situation and thought to myself

“mama gonna handle this for me and you did”

For showing me how a wife is supposed to be loyal.

For helping me keep it together to keep everybody else together after Katrina.

For teaching me to love Aretha Franklin.

For 1,275 plays of the Solomon Burke Soul Alive album.

For being willing to quit a job before you missed a school play or awards show for your kids.

For always fighting back.

For being protective and supportive.

For being my friend.

For having as much to do with the man I am as daddy does.

For being the first woman I ever fell in love with.

For already knowing that I cried when I wrote this.

For my number one fan…


Happy Birthday Mama.

This song is for you.....