REFLECTIONS

I was born and raised in Flint, MI to James and Susie Drake, along with my two sisters, Carmen and Kendra.  Growing up, me and my sisters lived an idyllic childhood.  Both my parents had siblings and other family with whom they were close, and me and my sisters and my sister-cousin Delinda Marzette observed them over the years nurturing and maintaining those relationships.  My mother also had a group of women (The Phebian Circle) that she kept close the entire time she was alive. Watching those bonds is one of the things that I believe instilled in me the power of lasting friendships.

I graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1984 and attended Central Michigan University.  My middle, high school and college years yielded friendships that remain in place to this day—through ups and downs, me at my best and me at my worst—these are people who I have known since before I became a woman that remain close friends as I cross over the 60 year mark, and for that I am grateful.  (I include in this number Johnetta Prosser (Cookie), Trina Patterson, Rob James and Billy Dexter).

I officially began adulting in 1989 with my first job at Marathon Oil Company in Findlay, OH.  Marathon also became a thread that produced some of my most cherished lifelong friendships (This would include Denise and Haston Lewis and Paul Parker).

By 1993, I had changed companies, moved to Dallas, TX and was fully living life as a young adult.  It’s so amazing how small moves can be seismic in their impact. I quit Marathon and did a 10-month stint at a job in 1995 that yielded what would become a group of seven women that continue to be among my closest friends (Martini Family—Tamara Gardner, Denise Watkins, Nicki Millan, Michelle Logan, Molisa Raybon and Andrea Davila (RIP)), and also yielded the then young man that is like a brother to me (Brian Taylor).

I started working for ARAMARK Corporation in Dallas in 1995.  In 1997, I was transferred to Detroit and then back and forth to and from Philadelphia and Chicago over the next ten years.  My time at ARAMARK afforded me the opportunity to meet what are now some of my best friends, and for that I am grateful (Cynthia Dickens, Pele Sills, Angelique Kelly-Lara, Tangee Gibson).

In 1998, I started graduate school at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.  On the first day of graduate school I met someone that is now one of my closest friends, and shortly thereafter I met her closest friend, who is now also one of my closest friends.  God is good.  (Kristy Fercho and Malaika Myers).

I left ARAMARK in 2006 and once again moved to Chicago to work for what was then Harris Bank.  For the next six years, I would form friendships with some of the most awesome people that I have come to know—some through work, others through networking or personal connections. For all of my Chicago peeps—I am grateful for you (Starting with Bad Girls of BMO (BGB):  Leslie Anderson-Rutland, Corliss Garner, Vachon Harper-Young, Judy Rice, Yasmin Bates-Brown, Pele Sills, Jeanna Knight, and Karen McGee.  Also, Mitch Anderson, Mike Lewis, Michael Johnson and Tara John).

One of the many blessings of living 60 years and having lifelong friendships is that you get to see your friends and family thrive.  I thank God that I’ve been witness to all these gifts (spouses/significant others, children and grandchildren of my family and close friends):

Brian Sheppard, Keiran Drake, Kennedy Drake, Tim Patterson, Pam James, Sammie Parker, Jamie Raybon, Jamie Bragg, Steven Fercho, Justin Myers, Darwin Gibson, Leo Lara, Nick Boyd, Thad Young, Barb Heller, Percy Brown, Julia Wesley, Jacqueline Lewis, Andiswa Johnson, Richard Freeman, Haston Lewis III (Big Haston), Haston Lewis IV (Little Haston), Dian Lewis, Devon Lewis, Haston Lewis V (Baby Haston), Donovan Patterson, Trenton Patterson, Brandon Gibson, Miles Watkins, Rome Watkins, Gabrielle Raybon, Olivia Myers, Evan Myers, Neema Johnson, Iman Johnson, Dominyque Allen, Paryss Prosser and Makai Allen.  Charge it to my head and my many blessings,--not my heart if I forgot someone!

The words of the Tim and Sherri version of “You’ve Been So Faithful/Great is Thy Faithfulness” is such a powerful testament to the way I feel in this moment as I celebrate 60 years of life:

As I look back over my life, I can see how Your love has guided me
Even though I've done wrong, You’ve never left me alone
But You forgave me
And You kept on blessing

This I recall to my mind
Therefore, I have hope
It is because of Your mercies that we are not consumed
Because Thy compassions fail not
They are new every morning
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness

I can never repay You, Lord, for what You done for me
How You loosed my shackles and You set me free
How You made a way out of no way
Turned my darkness into day
You've been my joy in the time of sorrow
Hope for my tomorrow
Peace in the time of storm
Strength when I'm weak and worn
All I’ve got to say is—You’ve Been So Faithful!

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for joining me as I celebrate this milestone birthday.  Your presence means the world to me.