You Never Know?

Billy and Sharlene 

I haven't written in a while because Life kept happening like my boss says. Besides Trinity being born, work, my health, and the loss of my youngest Sister's best friends since childhood passed away at the age of 44. He had a massive stroke and was brain dead. He died on the 19th.

Death was very busy that day. My friend and teacher Carol Douglas lost a very good friend from Cancer.  Jerry Lewis and Civil Rights ICON Dick Gregory passed that day too. I was heartbroken for my sister who was his best friend. It's unusual for males and females to remain best friends throughout adulthood but Sharlene and Billy remained best friends.

My heart also ached for my friend Carol I knew she would be heart broken because she was on a business trip and not due to leave until today. Carol had to put on a happy face when she felt so sad. She's an artist but my guess is no one wants to see a crying artist regardless of reason. The only thing I could do was check on her.

Billy's death was unexpected and a shock to the system. It's different here where death is usually unexpected because of Homicide. A massive stroke at age 44. I was stunned and could not cry until days later. I hid mine too. I was, however, cranky. My granddaughter Aleara age 7 kept asking me if I were angry. I had to sit her down and tell her I was sad.

Billy was born in Braddock into poverty. Impoverished people do not have the best diets due to the fact that the healthiest food is also the most expensive. We eat to much fried chicken or Subs. Death tends to take us sooner. Banning Soda will not work on food stamps since most people who get food stamps HAVE jobs despite what judgemental people say. Most people receive a small amount of stamps and must spend on meat as well as fruits and vegetables. I still don't understand why people look in people's cart. One nut job decided to look in mine and tried to berate me for pop. I am loud and ghetto that means I am loud. I kept asking her about why she had tampoons in her buggy didn't she know they weren't healthy and she should wear pads. I also called out condoms and the size of her underwear. She stormed off red faced. The poor women cheered because they understand the humiliation of rude people lecturing them for whatever reason. If you engage people in this way you are not a Christian because you would do it to Christ do not forget the Least of me lesson from Christ.

Food stamps aside, health food is to expensive and when you have to feed your family healthy food doesn't allow you to have enough to eat for the month. So we buy veggies from the can or frozen. We also hit up the Farmers market.

Billy's death also made me realize that my own death is coming soon. People with Sarcoidosis doesn't live long and the death rate is high. I often ask Why am I still here. I survived the streets, cancer, and I am still battling Sarcoidosis.

You never know when it's your time to go don't take life for granted. You never know when your gonna die.