Hey there music movie family.  I write tonight with a bit of sadness in my heart, as my family was faced with the task of burying one of our matriarchs, my aunt Marion, on last Saturday.  Aunt Marion was a tough woman (her sisters say “she didn’t mince words”) with a kind heart, and I learned a great deal from her.  She was the first one on the dance floor at our family functions and there wasn’t a wobble, cupid shuffle or electric slide that made it pass her!  I am blessed to have known and shared time with her, but even more blessed that I come from a family that rallies together and celebrates life during the toughest of times.

Even though our heart breaks at the thought of my uncle losing his wife of 44 years to a disease as terrible as cancer, we celebrated aunt Marion’s life with such vigor, laughter and lively conversations last week that a passerby may have wondered, had it not been for the condolences, floral arrangements or the occasional tears, if it was just a regular family get together .  During this experience, I realized when you give your all while a person is yet living the heart rejoices in that fact, and it allows you to grieve but not be overcome by grief.  I witnessed my aunts and uncles rotate and travel up North for months as my aunt battled cancer, and I know they gave more than their all.   As my family prayed at my aunt’s hospice bedside on the night of her passing, I thanked God for the lives she had touched and that theme continued throughout the week as family and friends travelled in to say their final goodbyes at her homegoing service.

I also thank God for all of the the well wishes I received this past week, and for my music movie family and your continued support of this blog.  I offer some music choices below to celebrate my aunt,  family and you all.  And if I may ask a favor?  Please take the time to tell your family and friends what they mean to you. Don’t put off for tomorrow what can be done today :).  For those celebrating,  Happy Resurrection Day and a blessed Passover holiday.

PS – the 2012 Trumpet Awards will air Easter Sunday night at 8pm EST on TV One and honorees include Earth Wind & Fire, Tyrese, and posthumously the Reverend C. L. Franklin (whose award will be accepted by his daughter, the legendary Aretha Franklin).   Check your local listings to confirm viewing in your area.  Also premiering Sunday is Oprah’s Next Chapter episode with T. D. Jakes, whose new film Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the Seventh Day, starring Blair Underwood and Sharon Leal, will be released in theaters next week on April 13th.

Until next thought family, Thomasena

These Three Words – Stevie Wonder, Jungle Fever Soundtrack, 1991 Motown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyFN3NMRe6Y

Happy People – R. Kelly, Happy People/U Saved Me, 2004 Jive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Gmaurug0I

(for Aunt Marion) Cupid Shuffle – Cupid, Time For A Change, 2007 Atlantic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h24_zoqu4_Q