Again, I have not blogged in quite some time. Therefore with so many things on my mind I thought of my parents and how old both of them would be this year if they were still alive. My mom was born in 1898 while my father was born in 1875. That is a long time ago by any calendar. I feel blessed to be their 18th and last child born in 1941. Just one set of twin girls born six years before me. I never knew but twelve of us because six died early after birth or was still born. No hospital births, they were all by mid wife at home. I can remember when they were my age(67). I considered that old with many grand kids and great grand kids too. I now have grand kids and great grands too.

Now I think of Mr Obama with two young kids who just made history becoming the first African American President to live in the White House that was constructed by slaves from Africa including his great,great,great grand father. They showed the construction of the White House on TV. Imagine the story he will tell his kids. He made history becoming the 44th President of the United States. Many of us thought we would never live to see an African American as president of the United States of America.

Black gospel music throughout African history was sung by the slaves as they constructed the White House along with many other construction projects here in the United States. Before the 1800's the lyrics, tunes and beats of Negro spirituals and gospel songs were highly influenced by the environment in which they worked. African American slaves met in camp meetings and sang without any hymn book. Spontaneous songs were composed on the spot. They were called spiritual songs and christian songs alike. Most of them concern what the bible says and how to live with the spirit of God.

This bit of history was taught to me by my mom mostly never to be forgotten as long as I live no matter where I am or where I live. My parents saw with their eyes the hanging of slaves that I only read about. They got very little schooling because of constant moving from one place to another including plantations. Religion was really all they had that could be called their own Everything else was shared in one form or another. Thus came "Sharecroppers" and years later migrant farm workers.

February now is Black history month and with all the history made by Blacks so few people know very little about Black history. With my parents being born in the 1800's and I have lived this long means so much to me although I have had my fare share of life's struggles.

I write this blog to kindly acknowledge those that don't care to hear or discuss God and religion to understand why I can do so very easily. I respect each member, their likes and dislikes of any subjects being discussed here. I have been here five years and in my physical condition I look and pray to God for comfort and understanding of why me for many more years.