Since November 2024 I made a decision that anything from this point that I will proclaim in this crazy world, will have to be bottled up in one phrase, because no matter what I tried to make things right and I can foresee the collision course that was ahead. I just threw my hands in the air and said, " no matter what, I trust God, in 2025 I will trust God. My country and this world has gone crazy but I am going to trust you." And then the test began, 2025 came in peacefully but for only a couple hours. It happened on the last place on earth, my beloved birthplace, the city that cared forgot! In a small friendly event filled town that can handle host millions in one wild Mardi Gras weekend became crippled by a selfish domestic terrorist. I woke up to see the mayor and FBI investigators on every local channel and rushed to my cellphone to check on relatives to be sure they were safe and were not on Bourbon Street during this imposed punishment of terror. All I could do was shake my head and cry, but I whispered, "Lord help those people who were harmed and survived and cover the families of those 13 that perished with your love but even now I know I must trust you to keep us to get through this mess!." Days of coverage and a sadness darkened our daily conversations, our workplaces, our city and our state and then weeks later to we had to stomach a convicted felon that is a narcissistic psychopath that was inaugurated in the highest and most respected office in the world on a day that was meant to be a day of peace and unity that started issues from the moment he was sworn in office. Yet he sent us special and unusual natural occurrence....a snowfall in southeast Louisiana covered my yard and it came down for hours. It was so beautiful and peaceful, it looked like a perfect painting of a winter wonderland. The local government did not know how to handle snowy roads and black ice but it was worth it, "Thank Lord for the opportunity to be home and experience such beauty, Oh yes I trust God." As 2025 continued to reign, and its terror continued to plague in politics as it came to cast stress at my workplace. A place of learning, a place for research and a place for personal growth for so many from across the globe. Here it is education has been set on fire across the nation with cuts, threats and insult. Everyday we've had to witness hateful people who have lied over and over that they say they love God and this country and live by the teachings of Jesus when they show hate towards a person who does not look like them and believe that their likeness is superior. But just to keep my heart right, I say again "I trust God, if I don't I will forget to love and welcome hate, I just cannot do that, I will continue to trust you God." But being who I am I knew something good just has to happen to turn the weight of this foolish hell inside out. As I exist through months and keeping occupied with with work which was actually improving and began surrounding myself with friends and love ones but started to receive messages that some special people that lived in my heart were taken into the eternal sands of time.....each one left me numb and speechless and to see them lying peacefully on their death bed, I felt a piece of me leave with them, but as I cried my tears and walked away from their side, I carried and remembered their love and joy that we shared then I held my head high with those same tears in my eyes and said," It is well with my soul because I trust God." Now that its the 365th day of 2025, God has granted me the grace to survive the disappointments in humanity, he reminded to love instead of hate, helped me to be unbothered through the confusion, he has given me joy that passes all understanding and continuing to help me heal from the unexpected loss of those that meant the world to me, and all the while I continued to trust him as I can sat calmly in the eye of the storm. Within hours we will step into 2026, the political stage continues to heat up, innocent people are being racial profiled, detained and deported, education is still under attack by the uneducated, the tariffs are hitting the working man's wallet and healthcare will be unaffordable and with that being said more children and adults will be unhealthy and will likely die. I pray and pray that things with change sooner than later but meanwhile.....I will continue to trust God. Happy New Year........
