I’m Celebrating….

The other day, I purchased a t-shirt online that reads “May Birthday 2020, The One Where We Were Quarantined…” When I saw it, I thought, I need this t-shirt so I can memorialize this historical year and all that it means for me. Each year I am excited about celebrating the month of May mainly because it is my birthday month and I look forward to celebrating with family and friends. May is the month we celebrate motherhood, and the amazing women who nurture the children who carry our legacies. May is also the month where My Sister’s Keeper Foundation for Women, the organization that I founded, hosts its annual fundraiser and celebration of the women who have completed our Leadership and Life Coaching Program.

Well, this year the month of May is a little different. We are in the middle of the Covid-19 Global Pandemic that is reported to have begun in Wuhan, China and made its way around the globe into the United States when the first death was reported on February 29, 2020. By the end of March, cases and deaths had occurred in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia and all inhabited US territories. President Trump has commissioned a Coronavirus Task Force, led by Vice-President Pence, Dr. Deborah Birx and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Most US Governors have issued shelter-in-place orders, school closings, and mandates for malls and restaurants to close. Americans are working from home unless they are considered ‘essential’ workers.

Our city hospitals are overwhelmed with those who are sick with the coronavirus and other medical conditions. Our funeral homes and morgues have run out space to house and bury our loved ones in the traditions of our faith and families. Churches have closed their doors and pastors are leading congregations via online platforms, technology, social media and livestreams. Mental health cases, depression and suicide is rising as people are battling debilitating feelings of isolation and loneliness as a result of social distance.

While many people have the privilege of working from home, far too many have been furloughed, lost wages or forced to shut down their businesses while they await financial assistance from the government. Educators, administrators, students, parents and teachers are frustrated with distance learning, digital divides and the disappointment of canceled high school proms, graduations, college commencements, ceremonies, conferences, concerts and sporting events. We lament the loss of closeness with family and friends at birthday parties, funerals, vacations and weddings.

It is with this backdrop that I enter into the month of May, the month of my birth and the month I look most forward to each year. Yet, this year May is different, but I have many reasons to celebrate. I’m celebrating the privilege of sheltering-in-place in a lovely home with my husband, my children and my dog. I’m celebrating the fact that my mother completed her last cancer treatment one week before the shelter-in-place order was released in Georgia and we are not in the hospital or the cancer treatment center where we spent the past 6 months.

I’m celebrating the 1,010,080 people who have recovered from the Cornavirus! I’m celebrating the congregation who join us weekly for Bible Study and worship services via Live Stream. I’m celebrating the leaders, members and staff of Grace Church international who remain faithful in their commitment to the community of faith, volunteerism, financial and prayer support of the ministry. I’m celebrating the Board of Directors, Administrative and Coaching Staff of My Sister’s Keeper Foundation for Women for their passion in empowering women and girls. I’m celebrating the MSK Focus Group 2020 for their determination in completing the Leadership and Life Coaching Program.

I’m celebrating the opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply, rest and rejuvenate in this season. I’m celebrating the opportunity to save money. I’m celebrating the creativity that I have discovered in the kitchen cooking delicious healthy meals. I’m celebrating the time spent with my husband, the refreshing of our love and the reflection of our life together. I’m celebrating the disruption to my empty nest syndrome as my young adult children have filled our home with laughter, music and their (sometimes disturbing) presence. I’m celebrating the energy to complete old and new goals and reconnect with my passions, visions and dreams.

I’m celebrating my sisters, girlfriends, family, colleagues and Sorors whom I have shared hilarious and meaningful conversations through phone calls, text messages, social media and Zoom parties. I’m celebrating the prayer calls and the people for whom I have connected with in prayer in the church, the Women of Color Empowerment Institute, Chi Tau Omega Chapter and South Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

I’m celebrating the blessing of 57 years on May 16th by God’s grace! I look forward to wearing my special t-shirt on my birthday, ‘the one where we were quarantined…’

Dr. Toni