Please know...

Click on the title and listen to the song: "Coming From Where I'm From" - Anthony Hamilton

Do you know Where you come from?

Think about it.

Not you yourself, but you... yourself! How did you get to where you are now? I know..I know. Your ready to give me the whole run down of how you faught and didnt give up and shattered doubt. You faced the ridicule and pressed though depression. Thats all good and dandy. Whooo hoo. But PLEASE KNOW... YOU, you didnt have anything to do with you.

You see, in my life if it wasnt for my parents defying the odds, if it wasnt for them deciding not to become a statistic and not falling victim to the life that seemed so much more stress free. If it wasnt for them deciding to choose love and respect over sensual feelings and a quick fix. If it wasnt for them picking each other up in the rough times and encouraging each other when doubt seemed to over shadow their ability to make a sound decision.... Then... I simply would not be here. You see, my dad didnt have a father. Neither did his dad have a dad. He had no mentors, he had no help. He grew up in an era where Men where NOT men at all. They were scared of the challenges that came with fatherhood. Nobody valued education or took the time to show a young man a way out. The only teaching they gave was how to sell crack for cheaper with less quality or how to seduce a woman. He was dirt poor, didnt have fancy Nike 1's or the lastest Air Max. He went without eating sometimes days at a time. DEFIANTLY seeking a better life. You see, my MOTHER grew up in an age where woman were easily seduced by men and had three and four children out of wedlock. They were premiscuous and ignorant. STD's shocked the world and addiction to drugs were prevalent. NOBODY was getting married and having children. NO MAN was taking the time to provide for his family. NOBODY was defying the odds of divorce and taking a stand, not only for themselves but for their children. EXCEPT my parents. My parents stood strong in their belief in God. They clinged to every verse and every passage. Instead of giving me up, they denied themselves to build me up. They stood in the Gap for me and my brothers and sister.

So you see, much like me... YOU had nothing to do with YOU!

I am grateful for what I have, what I have experienced and what I didnt have to experience because of what somebody else experienced for me.

So PLEASE KNOW... you should thank those who have struggled and sacrificed before you. Those who gave up their dreams and lived their lives unplanned so that they could see you live your life freely and without having to struggle from day to day wondering if you will see tomorrow. So give respect where it is due. Honor those who know you for you, even if you feel like you dont owe them anything, 9 times out of 10 you owe them your life!

So please know...