Author Archives: yeagerturner

For Colored Girls

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ForColored Girls castAWESOME!

AMAZING!

BREATH TAKING!

INSPIRING!

MOVING!

 

 

These are all words I’d use to describe last week’s performances of For Colored Girls. I was able to witness a local cast transform the bodies, voices and movements into powerful, meaningful roles.  Although their costumes were mainly simple long skirts and colorful t-shirts, when each person opened their mouth – you listened.

Whether the beat of the drum or the harmony to the melody, talent surrounded all walls of the KY Center.  The all female cast made you laugh, cry and question yourself whether you should laugh or cry.  My husband was glad we sat in the second row, because all men sitting in the front row were easy targets to incorporate into the scene.   It was entertaining to watch the guy sitting in front of us have the entire cast vocalize their frustrations to him.

And can you say full house?  Packed crowds every night to support an African American play, with African American actresses and an African American producer.  Rush Trowel, the brainchild behind the production, worked his magic and showed that Louisville can hold its own.

I loved meeting the cast after the show.  During the play I was intrigued by JD Green’s performance.  She transformed from a young girl to an angry man and she made me feel as if I never wanted to cross her.  To my surprise, this was her first acting opportunity.  

I was fortunate to sit close to Donna Mason during a group scene where she played a homeless person. Most of what she did was off the cuff and not even a part of the main acting occurring, but everyone in our section was glued to her every subtle movement.

Anyone in the audience remembers the powerful ending headed by the amazingly talented Ebony Jordan.  She reached deep into her soul and pulled all of us in with her.  And we stayed with her.  And we felt her pain.  And we didn’t know what to do to make it better.

Local talent exists all over Louisville and we need to support avenues that showcase these people.  But the thing about it is, we all have talents.  Whether it’s theater, poetry, cooking, electronics, landscaping or teaching – we all have a gift.  Some of us are able to more visibly show our gifts.  Others are waiting for the right opportunity to shine. Just know, opportunity rarely comes and knocks on your door, you have to go knock on opportunity’s door.  Follow your dreams and opportunity will follow you!

October 2011

60 Hours

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ACU
60 Hours

I was like a kid running into a toy story.  I just couldn’t wait and was so excited!  I had to wait until 10:00 at night, but it was definitely worth it.  I pulled up, parked my car and waited at the bottom of the escalator.  And I waited some more, wondering if I’d missed him.

And then there he was!  First Lieutenant Milton Turner caught my eye, flashed me a smile and embraced me wearing his ACU uniform.  He hasn’t been home since July 3rd and was only going to be home for 60 hours. It felt great to have him in our house and to sleep next to him in our bed.  Although I won’t admit it to him, it even felt great to see his stinky socks on the floor.

We ate some of his favorite foods like Wick’s Pizza, Lonnie’s and Wild Eggs.  He cooked one of his amazing meals. The rest of the time we just enjoyed each other, caught up on some of his missed television shows and just enjoyed being loved by the other person.

Although his abs are more chiseled (thank to Army PT every morning), he still has the same personality and tells the same goofy jokes.  He still leaves the light on when he leaves a room and still rolls over every morning to give me a good morning kiss.  

That’s my husband and as much as I knew I missed him, I didn’t realize how bad it was until he was here.  I then realized it again once he was gone.  After dropping him off at the airport and returning home, I felt something was missing.  He was missing.  It was no longer the same.

Unfortunately he won’t be back for good until December (it was originally beginning of November).  Insert sad face.  But, luckily thanks to Christopher Columbus I get to see him again this weekend.  Insert a smile! If you love somebody, let him/her know.  If you’re not spending quality time with him/her, take advantage of the minutes on the clock while they’re still there.  None of us are perfect, but all of us deserve to be loved.  Remember, love comes in all shapes and sizes.  Don’t limit your definition of love to someone of the opposite (or same) sex.  Love can equally be experienced through family, friends, volunteering and following your passion.  God loves you and so do I – just don’t try to crawl up in my bed in the middle of the night and snuggle with me!

October 2011

Unforgotten Love

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ECH
 Unforgotten Love
Some people remember every little detail about your life.  They’ve known you since before you knew yourself and take pride in all of your accomplishments.  There is a man at my church that fits this description, I’ll call him Mr. FS.  Whenever I see him out in public somewhere, he is quick to brag to people that he came to the hospital the day I was born. And ever since I can remember, he always gives me a big hug and kiss on the cheek every Sunday in church.  Every Sunday.

Mr. FS is over the age of 80, although I don’t know his exact age.  He is still married to his wife.  He has shown me the meaning of true love and ’til death do us part.  His wife’s health and memory have declined due to Alzheimer’s Disease.  It’s gotten to the point where she needs full-time care.  They moved her into a nursing home.  And guess what?  He moved there with her. She’s in one room and his room connects.

Although they’ve been there over a year, I just recently realized how deep his love is.  In the nursing home, they stay in the Alzheimer’s wing.  So Mr. FS literally spends all of his time around people that don’t remember much of what’s happening. Could you imagine living a life where you’re the only one that knows your name?  Although they have church at the nursing home, he still brings his wife to church every Sunday. They sit in the same front pew and he still gives me a wide grin, hug and kiss.

I started to realize not only how dedicated Mr. FS was to his wife, but I also realized how sad he must be.  So, I scheduled a dinner date with him at the nursing home.  I HATE nursing homes with a passion, but felt it was the least I could do to make his day.  And he was overjoyed!  I was able to witness a man so in love with his wife that he never wants to leave her side – regardless of her condition.  He pushed her down the hallways with such pride as if it were a first date.  I also better understood the reason they kept coming to our church instead of the church offered at the nursing home. Their service had mostly people unable to care for themselves. Coming to our church was his one opportunity (with his wife) for a sense of normalcy.

I pray that we all find true, genuine love.  Here’s to that person that will be there through thick or thin and is willing to protect us until the end.  As much as I still hate nursing homes, I’ll keep having dates with Mr. and Mrs. FS.  Although I’m not his wife, he has supported me in everything I’ve done so now it’s my turn.  If I can bring even the smallest amount of normalcy or light to his day, I want to do it!  Each time I see that twinkle in his eye, I know how much he appreciates it.  Mr. FS thanks for being you!

September 2011

Yearbook Proof

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Words of the Week
MYTGG
Yearbook Proof
Jessica and I have been great friends through teaching Zumba together.  I first met her in December 2010 when she took my class, then I encouraged her to become a Zumba instructor and the rest is history.  She’s my ride-or-die chic and I’d do anything for her.

Well, recently I invited my friend Tosia to a Challenge Party. She and I ran track in high school together.  She walks in and says hi to Jessica as if they were long time friends.  I thought nothing of it because Louisville is a small place.  Tosia later says that Jessica and I went to middle school together.  What?!  I said I doubted it because they were older than I.  Tosia kept claiming it was true, so I went home to look it up.

As I opened my Westport Middle School yearbook from 1988, I flipped to the sports section.  On page 54 is a picture of Jessica on the girl’s basketball team. Right next to it on page 55 is a photo of me in front of the the cheerleading formation.  Who would have thunk it?!

I now remember Jessica.  She was an 8th grader when I was a 6th grader.  I remember her because she was the ‘busty basketball player”.  As a cheerleader (that was – and still is- waiting for her own larger chest size) that stuck out.

Jessica says she remembers me as “little Michelle” because I was the little cheerleader that flipped down the court. It’s such a weird feeling to know that someone that I feel so close to is someone that I’ve known for sometime (which may be the reason we had an instant bond!)

We shared the story at our Zumba classes and what’s even more ironic is that one of our members, Julie, was in the same class as Jessica.  So, when we flip to page 10, there Julie is also.

It’s a small world after all! Instead of being the Possibility City, maybe we should be Louisville – the city where its possible to know everybody!

Where Oh Where Is My Hair?

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MYT
Where, Oh Where is My Hair?!
Breaking news, breaking news, breaking news! I have cut my hair!  It’s all gone. Goodbye. So long. Farewell. Peace out.  In the garbage to a far away place it has gone!

Well i guess this really isn’t breaking news since I cut my hair almost three weeks ago. But, it is a pretty significant event.  I do not believe that my hair has been this short since the day I prematurely popped out of my mother’s womb 35 years ago.

When I sat in the chair to “chop”, I wasn’t nervous. As the scissors were cutting I still wasn’t nervous.  All I hoped what that I would like it.  I remember the first time I looked up and realized all of the relaxer had been cut away.  My thought was “I don’t like it yet.” But I sat there and let the process continue.

I left the salon with a two strand twist as as I walked out the door I still wasn’t sold on my new look. I went to Go Natural and bought some hair supplies but then has to rush home to prepare for an out of town trip.  It was not until I walked up stairs, into the the bathroom with my mirror that I truly embraced and loved my new natural hairstyle.  It was equally exciting to send my husband a text message and have him ‘turned on’ by the new look.

It definitely feels good to be able run my hair under the water when I take a shower, but I’m still learning what to do with it.  Although it’s not long, I have A LOT of hair all over my head.  I had a hair date with Cherilyn where she gave me some advice as I go on my product trials and I’ve found an obsession with finger twisting these various strands all over my head on an hourly basis.

Unfortunately I learned that you can’t have a bad hair day.  I needed to pick up my car and their shuttle was supposed to call me when they left the store. Well, they didn’t call until they were on my street (I was still laying in bed).  I popped up and went to grab a hat to put on my head but then realized my head and hair are now to big to put on a baseball cap. Crap!!!  I threw some water on my hair and a headband and knew that was the best I could do.

I will say that Louisville has some very friendly natural hair ladies.  Each woman I have encountered has always been so open and knowledgeable.  I do still hope to grow my hair back out like Chaka Kahn or Diana Ross, but I like the fierce look I have now and rockin’ the hair God gave me!

September 2011

We Remember

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NaturalSide
We Remember
It’s always sad to “celebrate” a horrific occasion. Especially something as horrendous as  the tragic events on September 11, 2001.  Many of us remember that day just like it was yesterday.  Although I didn’t personally know anyone who lost their life, our country lost a piece of its soul.

On September 11, 2001 I was teaching first grade at Hawthorne Elementary School.  We had been finishing some projects because Open House was later that night.  There was never an announcement over the intercom about the incidents.  I had gone to the office for something and they were talking about it.  I remember going back to my room and notifying my assistant.

Being a person that want to know all that’s happening around me (which is a good quality for a first grade teacher), I went to the library to find a tv.  And right at that moment I saw the second Tower start to fall.  And at that moment, I didn’t know what to do.

Here I had 24 bright eyed six year olds ready to learn and I’m a teacher trying to figure what’s happening in our world. Unfortunately I couldn’t combine the two emotions.  I couldn’t turn the tv on and let them watch it.  They wouldn’t understand and I still didn’t know what else could have happened.  Talk about being conflicted.

I came up with the best solution I could.  I turned on the tv, on mute, and turned it in the direction where none of the students could see it.  I didn’t really get to see much that day but took pride in the fact that my students left school with the same free spirit as when they came.  Without going into any detail, I simply told them “There was a really bad accident today and a lot of people were hurt.  When you get home, you mom/dad may tell you more about it.” And I left it at that.

I wish the occurrings on September 1, 2001 were that simple, but we all know they weren’t.  As we reflect upon the 10 year anniversary, pray for the thousands of families that were affected, and continue to affected. Try not to hold grudges against an entire group of people because of evil ways of a select few.  Embrace those you love and if you’re not doing what you love there’s no time like today to make it happen!

September 2011