This past weekend I went to Miami to help my favorite cousin (Melvin) celebrate his 50th birthday.

Melvin and I got reacquainted after the funeral of my paternal grandmother a few years ago. He's a Washington DC based professional and one of my closest friends. I'm the type of guy to always do my best and live a fairly fearless life. I'm not afraid to change careers, step out on faith, make bold moves or most importantly to show love and be a good friend. So all that being said I thought I was pretty special. Then I started hanging with my cuz. He's an accomplished attorney, former President of the DC bar and a great person who is incredibly generous, thoughtful and loyal. He's turned out to be a great friend who is a trusted confidant, mindful advocate and the big brother I've never had.

The most important thing he has reinforced for me is the need to always have balance in your life between business, pleasure and family. If all that wasn't enough, the negro looks pretty darn good to be a 50 year old man. he provides further evidence that getting older is a blessing to be appreciated and looked forward to and not a curse to be avoided. His friends are also talented, accomplished, beautiful people (outside and in). I can honestly say that living my own life and now being apart of his...THE LAST THING I'D EVER WANNA BE AGAIN IS 20 SOMETHING...lol. Life is just great the way it is. Just live for NOW and don't be afraid of growing older and wiser. It's sexy...GROWN AND SEXY!

Now that's the ART OF LIVING.

Happy Bday cuz.

Oh yeah and going to Miami regularly during winter is really nice too. It's like chicken soup for the soul.

For once I'm the baby in a group...(left to right - yours truly, my Aunt Fannie, my cuz Melvin (the Bday boy), Melvin's good friend Tawana, my cousins Beverly, Christine and Michael)

For my info on me visit my official website
www.rickyday.net

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Change is the only constant in this life. The only measure of control we have is to make choices that insure that most of that change is positive in nature. My grandmother is gone from this earth now, but being with my family reminded me that she will always live inside of each of us. Being with my family also showed me how much we all love each other and how much they count on me to be one of the rocks that holds our small family down. I love the responsibility and I totally respect my Moms for being the strongest, kindest, most loving woman in this world. Women are incredible.

Here are a few images from my trip home to LA.

The parents and I

Family and friends graveside

My nephews, cousins and niece

My sister Lisa, cousin Tia and I

My cousin Tia and I

My Aunt Norma (my favorite aunt)

My Uncle Bill and 2nd cousins Jeff and Janea

The Caregivers who took care of my Grandmother during her last year on earth

Rick

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Mrs. Tommie E. Mason
November 12, 1907 - October 14, 2008

She always loved me without condition and always made it clear. She taught me to be honest, strong, believe in myself and God and to always be there for my Mother. She supported my every dream and essentially taught me to be a good man. She's the love of my life and today she left the earth forever.

Though she may no longer reside in the body that hugged and kissed and nurtured me, her lessons and her love will be with me forever.

Until we meet again Grandma.

I love you.

Grandmother and me / copyright 2007 ricky day

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Check this out.

New York Times: Black in America, Painted Euphoric and Heroic

Aaron Douglas (1899–1979) was considered the foremost visual artist of the Harlem Renaissance. In paintings, murals, and book illustrations, he incorporated elements from music, dance, literature, and politics to produce powerful artistic forms that had a lasting impact on American art history and the nation’s cultural heritage. Working from a politicized concept of personal identity, he combined angular Cubist rhythms and seductive Art Deco dynamism with traditional African and African American imagery to develop a radically new visual vocabulary that evoked both current realities and hopes for a better future. Aaron Douglas: African American Modernist, curated by the Spencer Museum of Art/The University of Kansas, is the first nationally touring retrospective to celebrate his art and legacy. This special traveling exhibition features the four Douglas murals from the Schomburg Center’s Art and Artifacts Division.

Aaron Douglas: African American Modernist

From September 11, 2008 through November 30, 2008
Latimer/Edison Gallery
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801 (directions)
Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For Tours, please call (212) 491-2207.

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Grandmother and me / copyright 2007 ricky day

(* speaking like Yoda) Look this good at 100 years old you will not.

She has always loved me without condition and always made it clear. You just don't get that kind of love from most people and I will always remember and appreciate it. She's the love of my life.

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