Celebration | Life Gets Better

I hear often people say things like, “You’re always doing something”, or “You have so much fun”, or “Do you ever slow down”. My answers are often, “Yes. Yes. And Nope.” Unapologetically, I will turn any appropriate event into a party, celebration, event, shindig, soiree’ or picture-taking, memory-making occasion. There are reasons for why I do what I do that’s probably explained in a blog post or two. By no means has my life been perfect, easy, fair, or fun all the time, but the general gist of things is that life, in my eyes, is a celebration and there’s no need for me to be here and not enjoy it to the fullest. Life is a celebration and we all received an invitation.

So yes, I will make a trip to Wal-Mart look and feel like an upscale shopping spree in West Palm Beach’s CityPlace. No, I don’t mind stretching $8 to make it look like an $80 experience. Yes, I welcome the mundane Sunday afternoon turned into a full-fledged picnic in the drive way with the latest music blasting from an I-phone. Absolutely, I appreciate the free Happy Hours, discount buffets, Ladies’ Nights at the restaurant where my girls and I are treated like Norm from Cheers (everybody knows our names) and gift-card inspired opportunities. By all means, I relish the fun family times (even times where we’ve turned hospital waiting rooms into a barbecue ribs party as we ate, prayed and shared a bit of sunshine with other families in need of a miracle). I invite the impromptu football viewing parties, the mid-day laughfest with friends over a salad and cake, the quick road trips up 65-South or Interstate-20, or anything else I’m able to do because, while I may not (YET) be able to to all I want to do I’m surely grateful to God for being able to do what I do.

Why? Because life has taught me not to take it for granted. I’ve accepted that it would be so much easier to sulk and whimper, pout and point the finger. I could very liberally live in regret or comparison, disappointment or antsy-ness regarding things of old or things of new, but instead I prefer to look at the bright side, and surround myself with people who can remind me of the bright side when my view gets a bit hazy.

This life is all we have, people. It really truly is our best shot at Heaven on Earth until we actually make it to the grand finale in the sky. With that in mind, I sincerely believe it’s better to just buckle up, trust the Tour Guide, be determined to make memorable, gather up some cool kids to enjoy the ride with you and do that…enjoy the ride.

@AngelaMMoore316

Sylvester Scott is… the youngest son of 10, a childhood cotton picker, a former housing project resident, a delayed school starter and accelerated learner, an adolescent golf course attendee, and a night school goer. He’s a McDonald’s worker for years, an international Navy man, a provider for his kin, a college graduate, a proud Omega man, a history buff and rememberer of all things. He’s Ves, Slim, Mr. Scott, Daddy Scott, PaPa, Poppa Scott and so many other terms of endearment. He’s the epitome of a husband, a father, a friend, a financial expert, a decades long government employee, an “I will build two houses from the ground up for my family” man, a street-wise, hip you to the game guy, a surrogate father to those who grew up without a dad like he did, a mean kitchen dancer, a hilarious comedian, the best Heinz 57 Sauce baked chicken cooker, a prayer, a protector, a brain surgery survivor, an abundant compliment giver, a doting man, a football and reality show watcher, a super grandparent, a believer in Christ and first man to ever love me. He rocks!

He’s more than a Daddy, Sylvester Scott is my hero and September 7 marks another year we’re blessed with his presence, wisdom and love here on earth. Since his recent sickness and brain surgery each day and year are that much more special. Happy Birthday Daddy! May this day and year be sweeter than you sneaking a piece of pound cake, and leaving a trail of crumbs in the middle of the night despite your diabetes. You are loved, sir! Yes, indeed you are.