I found out today that a good friend lost a family member last week. That family member had a medical condition that required medication, but he didn't take it consistently. Folks, if you don't read anything else that I type this year, pay attention to this--We have to do better with our health.

And I'm one to talk. I've neglected my health for years, knowing that I needed to eat better and get my body parts checked regularly, but not doing it. I'm now making a deliberate effort to eat healthier and to exercise regularly, but suppose I had started this regiment years ago? How much better off would I be today? And by the way, I see my hematologist on Monday. I have no idea what my iron level is, but if my energy level is any indication, he may have harsh words.

My greatest fear is losing a parent or a child. But what about me? What if they lose me? Why am I not protecting my own children from living what I think is my greatest fear? It should be a no-brainer, right? What about you? Are you living healthy? Or are you like me--surrounding yourself with junk food and not exercising? Let's do better...

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My thoughts and prayers go out to the Fort Hood family. There are no words for this tragedy. It puts me in the mind of 9/11. Some things are unthinkable on US soil.

Let's not forget, though, that our military and their families go through this kind of tragedy and uncertainty daily. God bless those who are prepared to give theirs lives to protect our way of life.

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The Michael Jackson flick, This is It, is now the highest grossing concert film of all time. It chronicles his last days of life. It was originally supposed to run for 2 weeks, but has been extended through Thanksgiving weekend.

Many of my friends have seen it and say it's incredible. I have no desire. Maybe I'll catch it on cable. Of course, I was a huge MJ fan as a child, but as a teen or adult, I never bought a single record or CD of his. I was saddened at his death, but I didn't go into mourning, nor was I shocked.

Did you see it? Do you plan to? Are you MJ's number 1 fan?

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Well, they say honesty is the best policy. So, I'll be honest. I had a topic today that I wanted to bring to you. Today is my Granny's birthday. She would have been 86 today, had she not passed away 4 years ago, 2 days AFTER her birthday. This period is the worse for me all year long. I dread it. But I so wanted to tell you how special she was.

When I sit down to start writing a wonderful tribute to her, I realized that time has NOT healed all wounds and it was just too difficult. So let's just pretend that I poured my heart out and made you all know how warm, kind, funny, and special that she was to me.

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The other night, my beloved hometown lost a great one. Ben Ali passed on. Ben, along with his wife Virginia, founded Ben's Chili Bowl in 1958.

Ben's has been an institution in Washington, DC ever since. Many feel that Barack Obama's visit last year put Ben's on the map, but I beg to differ. Homegrown folks, along with tourists who've done their homework, have paraded through Ben's for years. If you've never had a chili half smoke, do yourself a favor, trek over to the U Street corridor, and throw caution to the wind.

Ben's is one of those places where families of tourists sit next to businessmen with their ties tossed over their shoulders and everyone is digging in. In between are local, national, and international celebrities. Never be surprised at who's sitting next to you in Ben's. They are open nearly 24 hours a day, closing for only a few hours for cleaning and restocking.

Mr Ben was a good guy, as are his children, who've been running the place in recent years. I sure wish I could get there this weekend. RIP Mr Ali...

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This morning, I heard that medical science has so advanced that babies born today are expected to have life expectancy of at least 100 years. Wow!

While this is great news, it also came with several downsides. Social Security will go bust--as it can't pay all of the folks expected to collect. Also, few folks will be able to save enough throughout their lives to care for themselves after retirement. That retirement age is expected to be moved up, with most folks working into their 80s.

I guess, just like with everything else, that good news like this is only good until the reality sinks in. On the other hand, I believe that true glory comes in the afterlife. And if that is so, living to 100 just doesn't sound that appealing...

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Some say today, 9-9-09, will be the end of the world. I would like to hope not. I'm so not finished living. There are many things on my bucket list that I haven't done yet. I'm ill prepared for the end today.

Why do folks believe in such superstitious things? Why do they pass them on to their kids? Yesterday, my son came home from school and asked if I knew the world was ending today. I told him that I knew no such thing. In fact, I was so convinced that today would be no different than yesterday, that I insisted that he do his math homework.

On the other hand, I've heard of everyone from brides to film companies, coveting this date for their weddings and film releases. Everytime one of these triple digit dates comes up, we have this nonsense. Carry on, folks! Besides, my birthday is this weekend and I haven't gotten my flip video camera yet. Surely the world can't end before that!

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I post daily. So that you don't miss any of my randomness, you might want to subscribe by email.

In these recent days of heated political debates about Supreme Court Justice nominations, universal healthcare, and the life/death of Senator Ted Kennedy, my thoughts have lingered on a dear cousin, Vi, who passed away back in March.

We spent many a day, watching C-SPAN and sharing thoughts on current affairs. When I heard that Teddy had passed, my first thought was to call Vi. Then I remembered. She is gone. Luckily for me, shortly before her death, we had a serious conversation. At the time, I had no idea that she would pass away in a few short weeks, but felt compelled to share my feelings for her.

It was emotional and tearful to us both. She was like a mother to me. I thanked her for everything she had done for me. I told her how much I appreciated having her in my life and the lives of my children. I've always known her and can't think of a single incident where she said anything that could be construed as mean. Not to say that she didn't tell me about myself when I needed to be told, but it was always out of love.

Yesterday, I spoke to her son, who is like a brother to me. For most of our lives, we lived within blocks of each other--sometimes living in the same apartment building, sometimes even living in the same apartment. We try to speak every couple of weeks. We talked yesterday for a couple hours. It was nice. We talked about her, among other things. Since she's been gone, he always seems to be a bit sad, even when he's happy. I probably seem the same.

Is it true that time really heals such hurts? If so, how much time? When does it stop feeling so raw? And are there folks in your life who you are truly thankful for? Have you told them?

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What exactly does that mean-"Only the good die young"? It seems to imply that everyone dying young is good. What about senior citizens? Are there no good among them? I don't subscribe to this way of thinking. I believe that dying is a part of life and your time on Earth is predetermined. The good, the bad, even the ugly will go at the appointed time.

Besides, who gets to determine what is young? Does young mean "before adulthood"? Does young mean "younger than me"? While young might determine innocence, I don't think it determines goodness.

And speaking of goodness--how do you decide who is good and who isn't? Based on what--outside appearances? What YOU see of the person? Unless you spend a lot of time with someone, do you truly know them? ONLY God can "search and know."

It's best for me to try not to make sense of God's work. It's not for me to be all knowing. I realize that some things are beyond my understanding. In those instances, my prayer is for acceptance of God's will.

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The world has lost a true musical genius. He led a very troubled life, I pray that his soul has found peace.

I had silenced my Blackberry while seeing a movie and when I turned it back on, I was alerted that he had been hospitalized. I followed the story until late into the night. Where were you when you got the news?

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Yesterday, at a shopping center in Miami, yet another baby was forgotten in an automobile, and died tragically. The mother worked there and simply drove to work, got out, and never thought of the baby again for 6 hours. The temperature in the car is thought to have gotten up to about 130 degrees. How very tragic...

I'm sure she will never be the same. While the news didn't show her on camera, you could hear her wails of anguish, someplace just off camera. It was heartwrenching.

While some might question this mother's ability to parent, I immediately thought of something else. Suppose the woman was simply sleep deprived, working around the clock to pay her bills. Suppose she's short on rent this month, and consumed with thoughts of homelessness. While I have no idea if this was indeed the case, it is certainly a possibility.

I'm just not sure if I'm in a position to judge her, especially as she plans a funeral for her toddler. I'll reserve judgement until all the facts have come to light.

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