Tag: children

Fighting to Matter

To be black and live in America is to live through trauma.

Black lives do not matter. Animals and walls get more respect and consideration than black people do.

People are murdered in their homes and yet they are made to be villains.
Even in their deaths the world tries hard to turn the tables so even sympathy is not given.

Oppression makes a wise man mad. And continually perpetuating trauma makes a person numb.

But
life goes on and we keep pushing because our souls weren’t created to quit.

Some of us march, some pray, others protests, rebel and raise holy hell and no one can say any of them are wrong.

Because collectively we are grieving and enraged all at the same time; we have lost so many and each death effected us, even if only subconsciously.

Every death by the hands of the police has you questioning your safety during what should be a routine traffic stop.

Have you reconsidering mentioning the police as someone a child can turn to and be safe with in times of trouble.

Parents have had to change the narrative of their coming of age stories especially with their black male children to include how to live through an interaction with the police.

It’s crazy to have to explain that typically black people are seen as guilty until proven innocent and even then they are sometimes still punished.

Society might have removed the chains, but they’ve held fast to the cruelties and tenets of slavery.

Yet somehow we still make strides and make moves because our souls weren’t created to quit.

With tear stained faces and red rimmed eyes we still stand tall with our fists held high.

Burdened by the struggle to be recognized as human, worthy of life, deserving of justice.
Fighting to matter.
~micaiah

Pushed to the edge

Today my Healthcare corporation encouraged us to participate in an 8 minute and 46 second moment of silence in honor of Mr. George Floyd and in solidarity with White Coats for Black Lives Matter (WCBL). WCBL is “an organization that strives to dismantle racism in medicine and promote the health, well-being, and self-determination of the African American community.”

During those 8 minutes and 46 seconds I couldn’t help but to think of all the things that must have flashed through Mr. Floyd’s mind, while seemingly coming to the stark realization that the police was literally killing him. I can’t even fathom what he must have been feeling and the helplessness of being rendered breathless.

I kept having that video of him being murdered, because that’s what it was, play over in a loop in my head. And of how tired I am of explaining to my 7 year old daughter that another person of color has lost their life at the hands of someone who sees them as less than, all while attempting to instill into her that she is enough.

It’s exhausting.

Racism in America, like a festering wound and abhorrent disease, has been left untreated since the nation was birthed. It’s a sickness that effects the young, old and all in between.
How can we tout this as the best nation on earth when animals get more respect and protection than people of color?

When will I not have to say extra prayers for all my male friends and family members that their lives are not taken during a simple traffic stop or interaction with the police.

Yes, we try to teach our youth how to act to stay alive, but until people stop placing symbolic bullseyes on their heads and back, hunting season continues in spite of being compliant.

All lives matter, but until Black Lives Matter there will be no peace because there won’t be any justice for us. Understand this country was founded on the backs of the people that they no longer deem matter, how hypocritical is that?

There are too many disparities in healthcare, education and the justice system for people to feel comfortable sticking their head in the sand and pretending to be unaware of what takes place around them. We know you see it, you show us with your silence that until it effects you directly you don’t care.

If you aren’t helping resolve the problems you may as well be throwing fire on the flames. You care if people mistreat their dog, yet act confounded that people would feel so strongly against the mistreatment of a whole collective group of people.
Surely, not a nation that state in God they trust! Do you not understand the same God you say you trust, created us.

When will enough, be enough for you? It’s past time for me.✊🏽🖤

~micaiah

Born Free??

A friend of mine posted a picture by this amazing and talented artist ➡️ nettartanddesigns.com
and my creative juices went to work on a poem.
So check out the poem and more importantly check out his website above for amazing art work, paintings, illustrations and more…👨🏾‍🎨🎨

Born Free??

Nine whole months my mother nurtured me
thinking once I’m born I’d be free
but this country has a plan for me
they branded me with a target
and planted seeds subliminally
they start off by labeling me in school
it’s not in a child’s nature to sit still for hours
but they change the narrative because they hold the power
I can’t see myself pictured in any of the books unless it’s February or the images have labels of thugs and crooks
White washing history, not allowing images of our greatness before slavery to make their way to me
Inoculating my body and indoctrinating my mind
Then have the nerve to blame my parents for why I have no culture or pride
They poison the food
and set the mood for my down fall
dreams get shattered and scattered
across sidewalks littered with trash and filled with shadows
shadows of people meant to serve and protect
yet they look awful suspect, when killing someone based on the color or their skin
oh wait they fit a description once again?
freedom can only be used loosely
police step on necks where those nooses used to be
bullets end lives quicker
because the earth is so much sicker
so my brown eyes cry every day since my birth
knowing this cold world doesn’t see my worth.
~micaiah
5/14/2020
©MYD-Dreams LLC

New Normals

This COVID-19 has me sheltering in place in. I was already doing it without the order, but now we will have no choice except to grab essential things for sustaining life or for people who are employed in essential fields i.e. grocers, gas stations, banks, health/medical fields, and public safety fields.
I am a registered nurse that works from home and homeschools my daughter on a regular basis, but for those who don’t how are you and your children adapting to this new normal?
First off, are you giving yourselves time to adjust?
Don’t think you just have to jump into the school work that was passed out or digitally assigned.
Give you and your child or children a break, take a “spring break” so to speak and relax, regroup and refocus.
Anxiety and frustration levels are high for some so this allows you and your child time to adjust.
Children can feed off our vibes and emotions, so if you are anxious and or stressed 9 times out of 10 your child or children feels it too.
Take time to sit down and discuss how these changes affect you as a family and also individually.
Discuss your fears and theirs too. Then discuss ways you all can help alleviate the stress and anxiety created by those fears.
Maybe you can learn to meditate together, or maybe have a family spa day where you all take turns taking care of each other.
Make it fun and enjoyable.
Break out the cards and board games. Make some baked goods together, try some of those new recipes you’ve tagged and saved off Facebook or Pinterest.
Appreciate this time you may have to practice or spend time doing things you are passionate about.
Get a library card if you don’t have one already and check out videos, audiobooks, and digital books. Watch movies and do reports on them. Sit on the porch or deck or balcony and observe nature or just sit quietly and do some deep breathing exercises.
Camp out in the living room and make a fort-like you used to when you were a kid.
Make this time about reconnecting with yourself as well as your family.
Keep your faith and when necessary ask for help when you are feeling down, depressed or despondent.
Reach out via phone, text, Facetime, Duo app, Houseparty or FB live to feel connected to others.
This too shall pass, so hold on and do your part in containing and limiting the spread of this virus.
Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer.
Stay home when sick, consider yourself contagious if you have or develop a fever which is 100.4 degrees or above.
Treat your signs and symptoms at home unless they become unmanageable or accompanied by respiratory distress, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe dizziness (not relieved with rest/hydration). Boost your immunity with fresh and raw fruits and veggies, vitamins and natural supplements or herbs.
Use essential oils and aromatherapy.
Time and patience are essential.
So is faith and common sense.
We can do this alone, but spiritually together. Let’s root for and encourage one another.
One Love.
~micaiah

My two cents

My two cents from a homeschooling momma, due to the “pandemic” children are out of school and families have new normals. Parents now would be a great time to ensure your children are actually learning what they are being taught. Just because children are passed doesn’t necessarily mean they are learning. You have an opportunity to do some one-on-one teaching with your child even if it’s done outside of traditional school hours. Trust me when I say 20-30 minutes goes a long way when it’s not spread among 25-30 kids. Take the time to ensure they are also learning essential life skills: cooking, shopping, finance (saving, stocks, balancing debits/credits), gardening etc. Even children with IEPs can soar when given more time and attention, often not allowable in a traditional classroom setting. If you don’t know something go online. Youtube has great instructional videos and Khan academy is another great resource or make a facebook post requesting help, utilize your village. Please use this time to reconnect or connect even deeper with your children. Learning is life long, happens all around us and most importantly, it starts at home.❤️~micaiahism

The Why behind The Gift of Being Peculiar

I’m Micaiah, homeschool mom, Registered nurse, writer/blogger, poet and self-published authoress. Being a self-published artist is a bigger job than I realized, but the reward of seeing your thoughts in print is worth it. I write various genre’s my first published work was a collection of poetry, essays and what I have come to call ‘Micaiahisms’, my second and third were urban fiction. Keep in mind I write while also holding down a full-time 36 hour a week job and homeschooling my six year old daughter, she is my ‘Why’.

Me and my ‘Why’

I must say that it’s a blessing having a highly imaginative child that understands her mommy is sometimes consumed with getting thoughts out of her head and onto the pages gracing the computer screen, she’s great at keeping herself entertained and keeping disruptions to a minimal. My child definitely dances to the beat of her own drum, much like her momma does. I wanted to create a book that embraced a child being different, peculiar even.

From page 12 of The Gift of Being Peculiar

Saving Children from an Ugly World

By teaching children, the gift of being different

I wanted to empower children to embrace their uniqueness and that of others. Far too often lately we are reading about the tragic loss of a young life to suicide as a result of bullying. I wanted to create a way to show children the power in being yourself.

They say children learn best by example, I want to show Jamiyah that you can make all of your dreams come true and look out for the well-being of others while doing it.

Micaiah Yhisraels’ latest and fourth self-published book, The Gift of Being Peculiar—illustrated by Dariea Shorter—is a creatively imaginative and powerfully innovative resource to empower children and help them embrace the gift of being different through affirming words and invigorating illustrations.

Author Micaiah Yhisrael and Illustrator Dariea Shorter

The Gift of Being Peculiar is the story of Kenza, a young girl who is not afraid to embrace her peculiarity. The main character reminds children of the wonderful characteristics and personality traits that make one wonderfully peculiar. It is a story that reaffirms self-love, being a leader, standing out from the crowd, and the treasure in embracing yourself.

Those wishing to enrich the lives of the children around them can purchase the book online from Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com. It is also available as an e-book via Kindle. Link to Amazon below.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1792302142/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_SUzICb34D65X4 via @amazon

For details on other books offered check out my websitehttps://myddreamer.com

Needed: Your Presence, not your Presents

As a parent you want to protect your children from all hurt and harm, you want to allow them to grow up feeling loved and fulfilled. It hurts as a parent when you realize that no matter how much you pray, chant, meditate or voice it to the universe, you can’t force an absent parent to feel the way you do.

And child support doesn’t equate to active participation. Money can never replace time spent.

It hurts to realize the person you shared such an intimate part of yourself with, that culminated in the conception of such a unique and beautiful creation, doesn’t want to be involved with that creation. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances were surrounding the birth, the child itself is a blessing. Point blank period.

Of course there are those that will say that’s why you should be married before having children or truly know the person, marriage is not a guarantee, they end daily and people walk away from children just like they do the marriage and you can have known someone for years and years, but once something changes from fun and free to responsibility, people can change before your very eyes.

It’s funny that some people will risk it all over pleasure and self-serving gratification, but won’t risk anything over integrity by doing what’s right even when it’s not easy or convenient.

It hurts because no matter how much you love your child, a mother cannot be a father and likewise a father cannot be a mother. But we try and love our child enough not to feel the void of the absent parent. Sometimes we attempt to overcompensate with an abundance of materialistic things or by being more friendly than parental towards our children. But trust, even with the best of efforts they eventually feel the void.

And while if you are a mature parent, you will try to find a way to gently explain that it’s not that the absent parent doesn’t love them, but rather that some people just are not ready or capable of being selfless enough to be parents. It falls flat on ears waiting to hear the sound of the missing parents voice. It falls short of explaining why they have to have an uncle or grandfather at the daddy/daughter dance or why they have an aunt or grandmother at the son/mommy dinner.

These absences play such a major part in the future relationships that the child will have, especially with the opposite sex. It’s hard for a female to learn to trust a man and to understand their role as provider and protector, when dad didn’t find her precious enough to guard and protect. And it’s hard for a male to learn to value women when the one that carried him for 9 months could just then turn and walk away. These children through no fault of their own, may grow to see themselves as less than worthy.

If one is lucky they will find other adults, men and women that serve as role models and mentees that help fill the void, or they will be blessed with a parent that showers them with love and loving, esteeming affirmations on a daily.

In truth it doesn’t take a lot of time, energy, effort or courage to create a life, but it does to raise one! Let’s show our youth that they’re worth the effort and put aside what’s easy and convenient. Make the time, to spend the time. If the custodial parent makes it hard to see the child, take them to court for your right to be involved. Make a call, send a card, write a letter even when they’re too young to read, at least they’ll know you tried, that they mattered enough for you to make an effort.

Father’s and Mother’s claim your place and be present. Children don’t need your presents; they need combined parental presence!

~Micaiah

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