Moving Forward 

My dearest sisters, when summer winds down, it’s time to look forward to autumn activities—including the first day of fall in September. The month kicks off with the Labor Day weekend.  Later in the month, we’ll remember 9/11, observe Grandparents Day, and celebrate National Women’s Friendship Day.

Summer has been spent, and it is harvesting time.  It is sad to see the warm days wane and glad to see the hot summer days slide into the cooler fall.  Grandchildren have departed your house and have gone off to school – a little taller and into the challenge of the next grade up.  The family celebrated the Labor Day weekend with fervor because this weekend signaled the official end of summer.

You mourned the loss of our citizens on that tragic day of September 11^th, and your prayers are that it will never happen again in this country. Some of you celebrated Grandparents Day. Though it has not reached the fervor of Mother’s Day, it is nice to get some recognition for the roles grandparents play in the lives of children around the world.

As important, we recognize National Women’s Friendship Day.  On the third Sunday of September, women worldwide come together to appreciate their friendships with their women friends.  It is a joyous occasion because women-friends play a critical role in our lives. 

Personally, I could not have made it to my senior years without the support of my sister-friends.  They have been with me through all my critical moments, both happy and sad.  They celebrated my successes and cried with me when I messed up.  They have forgiven my weaknesses and reveled in my strengths.  They even helped me to put sugar in the gas tank of a guy we all thought had done me wrong. 

Women friends were there to hold my hand when I lost my father, husband, brother, mother, and sister.  Most recently, they let me mourn the loss of my only child, and they let me do it my way because they knew how deeply it cut my soul.  Through it all, my sister-friends were with me, held me up, and loved me anyway!

We are so fortunate to live to see another woman, Kamala Harris, be brave enough to reach for the highest office in the United States.  We wish her well and encourage each of you to vote.  When you go to the polls, remember Shirley Chisolm, Fanny Lou Hammer, Ella Baker, Dorothy Height, and so many other brave and determined women who made so much possible in our lives.  They were inspiring, incredible, powerful, and amazing.  And so are YOU! 

Let us turn this crazy world into a good and safe place for our families.  We women can do it!  We can do it with much love.

Love you madly,

Dr. Lou