Family is the most convoluted composition in God's creation. As we all know, we have no say in the matter. We come into the earth and are assigned titles. Sister, brother, cousin, aunt and so forth. And what's more, the longer we live the more titles we accumulate. Mother, father, grandmother and more. We can't pick and choose family members as we do friends. We can only meander our way through.

For years I believed I was a mistake. I didn't feel comfortable in my own skin simply because I didn't think like others. I felt for sure I was adopted. Nothing reasonated with me regarding my family. I questioned everything... And I still do. I just couldn't grasp my family disposition. As I matured, I realized it was never meant for me to understand. I had the power to accept or decline the subtle demands that were placed on my title.

To my amazement, I discovered in my journey that I was exactly where I was meant to be. That discovery provided a level of confidence. I determined that we all are gifted and further, we are all God's instruments. We are used as teachers, haters, givers, accusers, comforters, takers and et cetera. In each of these categories we are assigned our titles or positions in the family structure. If you are aware of your environment, you will be able to figure out where you want to be in life. My journey allows me to experience many life lessons. I believe these life lessons are pathways to a higher plane of existence.

So as I continue my journey, I thank God for the life lessons that each family member has brought and will continue to bring to my life. Think about this... You can end friendships if you feel it's not working for you, but you can't do anything about family.   I mean yes you can avoid certain members but really... They're not going anywhere. And... I love my family.

Definitions of DIVA: A Goddess; A fine lady; a usually glamourous and successful female...

A Diva is a female version of a hustler!

The latter is my favorite definition! Why you ask??? Because a true Diva will figure out how to make a dolla outta fifteen cents without breaking the rules or her nails 💁🏽!

Yes! The makings of a diva...

A Diva realizes early on that she and she alone is the "captain" of her ship. She will shape her own destiny.

A Diva strives for perfection in everything she does... Yet she is IMPERFECTLY FLAWLESS.

A Diva rules with her heart, yet she is lionhearted.   A Diva may be well educated but it's how she presents herself that opens doors.

A Diva will choose champaign over beer, as her tears are better compensated with her initial choice. And though she can be a mother and/or wife, she is always a trendsetter as her level of self confidence knows no bounds.

A Diva will declare war and protect her turf with a mere glance -

A Diva is a mindset. I love my DIVAS! ❤️

My beautiful GG. For many years I'd look at your picture. Always proud of it. Always protective of it. You see, as I am the oldest... Your place is in my home. Early morning is our time, coffee in hand, I would stare at you for minutes at a time. I would think of my father... And his mother. My mind would wander off to some strange dark time when we were not free. I'd ponder what must it had been like? How did you make? What did you do to survive?

Your skin looks so smooth, your hair dark and long. And GG, your hair is straight! (Cough!) LOL! Your brows are naturally arched, just like mine, but your eyes... they have always captivated me. There is a story in your eyes! I see a sadness there GG.

But GG! Guess what? I brought you into the millennium! I introduced you to cyber space on the worldwide web! I downloaded your beautiful picture and shared it with the world. Yep! And I'm so proud of myself. I've connected the dots to others in our lineage. Others who were amazed to actually see your picture. And GG best of all!! I found your family. Your mom and your dad and your siblings! And their children! I have cousins I've never met! OMG!! GG! Can I just tell you... but I'm sure you already know all of this.

My mind is racing as I write this letter. So much more I want to say. But, let me take just a minute to thank you for your daughter. GG, she is my heart. She never leaves my side. She passed down a sense of pride and purpose that is with me to this day. The same as I've passed on to my daughters. Grandma always made me feel special. She gave me all the love that a grandma could give and most of all, she give me a sense of 'belonging.' Even if only to her... I knew I had a very special place in her heart. She would always remind me that I was the 'Firstborn' of her only child. Yes! I was número uno! To be out done only by the youngest... the baby... Lol! And that honor went to my brother. My grandma gave me stories of her siblings and you too GG, that made me laugh so hard. And she danced! Grandma danced all the time (just like me!). As a little girl I'd laugh as I watched her sweep the floor and then suddenly stop, and out of no where she'd start dancing with the broom!

As I think back, I smile. I contemplate what my grandchildren must think of me. I have this feeling in my heart that one day, generations from now, I too will be discovered. I will be received as a long lost treasure and used as a channel to unite our lineage as it scatters upon the earth.

And as I end this letter of love and respect to you my GG, as your blood courses through my veins, I will always keep my head up and my heart open. I love you Great-Grandma! My GG!

I woke up this morning and started my day as any other day. I reached over for my cell phone! Now let's go back for a minute... My husband has already left for work so I had already gotten my "good morning" kiss. So now I have my cell and I'm checking messages... My bestie sends me a beautiful prayer. I mean out of the blue she prays for me. I love her. Then my Auntie sends me a blessing. I mean wow! This same Auntie was on my mind this very morning. I love her. Then I receive an email from a distant cousin that I located on "Ancestry" and after months of silence, he's asking me, "how should we proceed?!" I thank God for all my blessings. I thank him for positioning angels in my life to protect me as I protect others... Indeed, "TODAY is the day that the LORD has made..."

God blesses you with two ears, two eyes, two hands, two feet... One heart and one MOTHER. Think about it... I miss my Royal Highness... ❤️

I was introduced to social media in mid-July 2015! I know you're laughing and asking what rock did she crawl from under? Honestly... I have to shake my own head. I recently had my thyroid removed because of a gut feeling that panned out to be exactly what I suspected. I had cancer of the thyroid. So to make a long story short -- I'm going for the gusto! I want to live and do everything that I put off because of time constraints! Hence my enthusiasm with social media. I love it!! Not only do I use it as a testament to my existence to float forever in cyber space... but I use it as my own personal sounding board. I document my life, as well as express my thoughts! How therapeutic! Who knew! But as my joy and enthusiasm grew I was stunned to learn that my social media presence was "persona non grata" to some of those closest to my heart.

I have always lived my life as an open book and I will continue to do do. I am a "work in progress," and I am excited about my new endeavors. I embrace life, love and the pursuit of happiness.

As my beloved brother ends each conversation we have together... PEACE.

To me what matters in life are the people you love. But, what matters MOST in life are the people that love you back. Think about this.... The definition of unrequited love is loving someone not capable of loving you back. How does that happen you ask?? Well... For those of us who truly love unconditionally, very easy. I equate it to childbirth. If you have ever had a child then you are very familiar with labor pains. However, there are those of us who bare that pain over and over. But the thing about unrequited love is that it makes real true love all the sweeter and highly coveted. I cherish the love I have. I savor and revel in it every day. I do though, look forrward in the hope that one day my unrequited love will learn how to truly love.

Today is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!! Wow God! It can be a bit hard to do at times. In all my pain I asked my God for a breakthrough. I heard his words - Not Now. I smiled as the tears filled my eyes because I know he is working a mighty work in my life, but I must be patient. But as I always pray to my God... Order my steps Lord. Please order my steps. Luke10:27. As my brother always says....PEACE!

I woke this morning to the news of the passing of Bobbi Kristina Brown.  Though we all new it was inevitable, it still stung just the same. Somehow I felt as long as we have BK we still have a piece of Whitney. I enjoyed every side that Whitney belted out.  When Whitney did a remake of my theme song... I'm Every Woman, I knew then -- she was my girl! As far as I was concerned no one could sing that song but Chaka Khan. But Whitney SANG that song! I named this blog Cissy Houston, because as I mother - I so strongly identified with Cissy's struggle with her daughter.  I too have a daughter that I am estranged from.  A daughter I love with all my heart.  A daughter who does not relate to me on any level.  A daughter I watched struggle with the unsavory part of life - the side of life we try to protect our daughters from.  I too have grandchildren.  Grandchildren that we also try to protect.  The babies our hearts ache for - The babies who adore their mothers... as well they should.  To Cissy I would like to say... the Whitney that you introduced to the world is the Whitney I love and remember.  The Whitney that was straight from your kitchen table, unscathed by life.  The Bobbie Kristina that Whitney introduced to the world is the Bobbi Kristina I will love and remember.  The innocent beautiful little girl.  The precious little cutie that so adored her mother. My deepest condolences for your daughter and granddaughter.