At Your Side, Professional Birth Doula

08/02/2023

06/09/2023

Raise your hand if you would like to live there. ✋🏼

Wow 😍😍😍

05/25/2023

Everyone is beautiful in their own way😍😍😍

04/21/2023

When I was still young- about ten years ago. Being a doula is such a happy career.

04/21/2023

Meet Shania Muhammad, a 14-year-old African American student from Oklahoma who has graduated with two associate degrees.

04/21/2023

“I wish you enough.”

I WISH YOU ENOUGH!
Recently, I overheard a Mother and Daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the Daughter's departure had been announced. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Mother said:
"I love you and I wish you enough."
The Daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom." They kissed and the Daughter left.
The Mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry.

I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say Good-Bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever Good-Bye?"
"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.
When you were saying Good-Bye, I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.

"When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory,
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."
She then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person. An hour to appreciate them. A day to love them. And an entire life to forget them.

Author: Bob Perks

03/26/2023

“Huge admiration” for this young man. Let’s spread this so others can sing his praises. He should be the CNN HERO of the year.

Sadio Mane: “I resisted hunger, I worked in the fields, I survived wars, I played football barefoot, I had no education and many more things, but today with what I earn from football, I can help my people.
"I built schools, a hospital, we offer clothes, shoes, food to people living in extreme poverty. In addition, I give 70 euros per month to all people in a very poor region of Senegal." I don't need to flaunt fancy cars, fancy villas, travel, let alone planes, I'd rather my people get a bit of what life has given me."

Respects African real Hero👑❤️⚽

03/19/2023

That’s me with my little brother Greg and little sister Connie growing up in Kansas City. I was about 6.5 years old then.

03/19/2023

True Confession Time

02/18/2023

Today I am 600 days SOBER!
Here is everything I've gained during this sobriety journey -
1. My first relationship with someone who treats me the way I've always prayed for
2. A new iob and a raise
3. My first rental property to bring in extra income
4. An amazing relationship with my family
5. Became a dog mom ∞
6. Moved-in with with my significant other
7. Best mental health I've ever had
8. Best physical health I've been in
9. Learned how to manage my anxiety without mind-altering substances
10. Got myself and my confidence back
11. No longer suicidal & the list goes on and on!
* I know I would have none of this if I didn't get sober because it was everything I prayed for when I was using.
Sobriety is possible. Recovery is worth it!

☎️ Addiction Helpline: (970)478-8998
☎️ Addiction Hotline: (833) 330-2874
*Free Affordable Care Act Ins enrolment: 877-754-1256

12/01/2022

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:

Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letterbox at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page were the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith, Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank you."

12/01/2022

OMgosh! This is so touching- I loved it. It will be appreciated by anyone who loves dogs or little kids or God.

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:

Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letterbox at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page were the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith, Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank you."

11/27/2022

Lovely and positive anecdote

We were in Athens yesterday and Avery had to go to the bathroom really, really bad. She & I ran into the closest place which was a Subway in downtown Athens. We ran straight to the bathroom and the employee got my attention and told me the bathroom was only for paying customers. I didn’t have my wallet with me 🤦🏻‍♀️and I told him I was sorry, I didn’t have my wallet and we would leave. Without hesitation these 2 young men spoke up and said they would buy a cookie for Avery so she could be a “paying customer” so she could use the restroom. I was so grateful, thanked them profusely and dashed in the restroom with Avery. We came back out and they were still there, so I thanked them again and started talking with them. Turns out they both play on the UGA football team. (Go Dawgs) We had a great conversation and exchanged some laughs, and talked about football. To some it may seem like a small act, but I was so thankful and impressed that these 2 college kids who don’t have kids of their own gave so freely and without hesitation to help us out. The world needs MORE of this! Thank you Latavious & Jaylen!! 👏Fine young men who asked for nothing in return and a great example. A much needed ray of sunshine. Reminds me of Andy Stanley’s sermon “What does love require of you”? Food for thought.
Go Dawgs!! ❤️🖤
"What the world needs now is love sweet love"

Credit: Christie Williams Myers

11/20/2022

Touching

I WISH YOU ENOUGH!
Recently, I overheard a Mother and Daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the Daughter's departure had been announced. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Mother said:
"I love you and I wish you enough."
The Daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom." They kissed and the Daughter left.
The Mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry.

I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say Good-Bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever Good-Bye?"
"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.
When you were saying Good-Bye, I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.

"When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory,
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."
She then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person. An hour to appreciate them. A day to love them. And an entire life to forget them.

Author: Bob Perks

10/16/2022

10/08/2022

My brother Greg who is getting his beloved Maxine ready to go trick or treating.

10/07/2022

They are friends, and they love each other. 🥰
The black-neck dog (Husky) lives in a house down the road. Every day he escapes from his yard to go down the street to visit his little friend and play with him. But when the entrance was closed, he just came, hugged his friend tight, and left, but never tried to cross that fence.
And we call them just animals.

Credit: Richard

09/15/2022

For all those who think in their little minds that black kids aren’t as bright as others:

Meet Shania Muhammad, a 14-year-old African American student from Oklahoma who has graduated with two associate degrees.

08/31/2022

Dr. Dominique Merriweather, a 30-year-old African American educator who is a Morehouse College graduate, has become the first Black person to be appointed to lead Sutton Middle School and the youngest principal in the entire Atlanta Public School district.

08/31/2022

Lol

Ducking

08/31/2022

Share this! Let’s make this little author a best seller.

Nationwide -- Nyla Johnson, a 10-year-old author and entrepreneur from Rochester, Michigan, is celebrating that her books will be distributed and sold at more than 250 Meijer store locations across five states. Meijer is one of the largest and fastest-growing big box retailers in the midwest.In her....

08/31/2022

http://www.facebook.com/WhatYouToo

08/31/2022

👏 👏 👏

06/23/2020

Should Johnson & Johnson make TB drugs affordable? Share your thoughts today!

08/05/2016

07/27/2016

Just reposting... It may be helpful to you or someone you know.

11/29/2014

FYI ... TV journalist Lisa Ling has a website, The Secret Society of Women, for those who have suffered a miscarriage. Women can post there anonymously.

08/02/2014

Did you know this is World Breastfeeding Week? Do you know the benefits of nursing your baby?

08/02/2014

I love what I do!

08/02/2014

Pregnant? Thinking of becoming pregnant ? Hoping for a VBAC birth? Research to learn how having a doula (trained birthing professional) can help you have an easier and sometimes quicker birthing experience. Hire a doula to help you have the positive birth you've always dreamed about. For more information call 770-309-8806. Get educated so you can make informed choices.

04/08/2014

We are excited for our first "Ask a Doula" post to have responses from not one, but two of our Collective doulas! On the heels of April's International Cesarean Awareness Month, a mama on our Faceb...

04/08/2014

Well, no, it’s not really like that.  I wasn’t sick, and the “changing” part was that the guy refused to operate on me.  At the time, I was kind of mad about it. I was 26, and in the best shape of ...

04/08/2014

Important

Considering an elective induction? Full term pregnancy is up to 42 weeks of pregnancy, and assuming your due date is actually accurate (it can be up to two weeks out!) induction poses risks for both the mother and baby. Here's 40 reasons to give your baby 40 weeks or more of pregnancy.

04/08/2014

What do you think?

"My p***s was cut without my consent and without good reason. This will not happen to our son." My husband speaks with clarity and conviction.

04/08/2014

DOULA: "A woman who serves", a specially trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth...