Grandma Riddick was a very religious woman. She was the Mother of her church. As long as I could remember she was referred to as Mother Riddick by everyone from the preacher on down in the church.In fact, every time we got a new preacher, he had to have dinner at our house. I lived with my Grandma a lot growing up.
Being the grandson of the Mother of the church was worse than being the son of the preacher. I was held to a higher standard.
I had to sing a solo at lots of church functions. I had to sing on the childrens choir. I had to be a little usher. I hated it.
My grandmother belonged to a senior club for women. When they met at our house, I had to put on the suit with the short pants, bow tie, long socks, and Buster Brown shoes. I had to pour tea and carry a little tray with cookies and sweets my grandmother made. The women would pinch my cheeks and give me bear hugs smothering me in their industrial sized breasts.
When I was old enough, I told my grandmother I hated church and would never go back again. She was hurt. She thought I loved church as much as she did. I think she was in denial. She loved her church and she loved me, and thought having the two things she loved more than anything together was perfect. Sorry Grandma.
She was a practical woman. When we moved, she moved to a Jewish neighborhood. Exposing me to a whole new culture. We moved again into a more orthodox Jewish neighborhood. I went to public schools whose populations were 95% Jewish.
She asked me once when I was in my 20's if I believed in God. "Of course!", I told her."I'm your grandson." She told me to find my own way to God. She knew her way didn't work for me.
I found my way to Tao and Kabbalah. Tao is ancient, Chinese and nature oriented. The Tao Te Ching gives me many Aha moments. I remember reading about opposites. For there to be tall there has to be short. There can only be ugly if there is beauty. I even have an opposite. Jamie Foxx.
Jamie Foxx is tall, young, rich, a stud, exciting, and unpredictable. Royal is short, old, just getting by, a cuddle muffin, comfortable, and familiar.
I do have a problem with this though. What's the opposite of a kiss?
Being the grandson of the Mother of the church was worse than being the son of the preacher. I was held to a higher standard.
I had to sing a solo at lots of church functions. I had to sing on the childrens choir. I had to be a little usher. I hated it.
My grandmother belonged to a senior club for women. When they met at our house, I had to put on the suit with the short pants, bow tie, long socks, and Buster Brown shoes. I had to pour tea and carry a little tray with cookies and sweets my grandmother made. The women would pinch my cheeks and give me bear hugs smothering me in their industrial sized breasts.
When I was old enough, I told my grandmother I hated church and would never go back again. She was hurt. She thought I loved church as much as she did. I think she was in denial. She loved her church and she loved me, and thought having the two things she loved more than anything together was perfect. Sorry Grandma.
She was a practical woman. When we moved, she moved to a Jewish neighborhood. Exposing me to a whole new culture. We moved again into a more orthodox Jewish neighborhood. I went to public schools whose populations were 95% Jewish.
She asked me once when I was in my 20's if I believed in God. "Of course!", I told her."I'm your grandson." She told me to find my own way to God. She knew her way didn't work for me.
I found my way to Tao and Kabbalah. Tao is ancient, Chinese and nature oriented. The Tao Te Ching gives me many Aha moments. I remember reading about opposites. For there to be tall there has to be short. There can only be ugly if there is beauty. I even have an opposite. Jamie Foxx.
Jamie Foxx is tall, young, rich, a stud, exciting, and unpredictable. Royal is short, old, just getting by, a cuddle muffin, comfortable, and familiar.
I do have a problem with this though. What's the opposite of a kiss?
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