Genesis. Do I need to say more? Umm, Yep! My darling wedded soulmate secured tickets for us to be in the presence of the band Genesis with Phil Collins. We excitedly made our way to our seats after obtaining concessions. The band performed amazingly. We savored the moment and the melodic tone as Phil enchanted the crowd with his friends, bandmates, and son on the drums! For two kids that grew up in the ’80s and enjoyed the music from that decade, The Baylies weekly date night felt surreal and yet perfect.
Excuse me, sir. Could you take a picture of us? Cheers!
A view from on top.
Peter and I danced and sang like we were band members. Our original seats allowed us to feel how the sound rises to the heavens. Interestingly enough, the couple who sat next to us found some extra tickets closer to the stage, shared the seats with us, and the view was fantastic. I extend a huge thanks to my husband and fellow concertgoers’ compassion and generosity of spirit.
The spirit of joy of this band’s music continued into our holiday cruise. A lady noticed my t-shirt that we picked up at the concert to commemorate our date and excitedly wanted to know how it went. She could not see this tour since the band did not go to Dallas, TX. I told her Genesis had not come to Raleigh, and the show was delightful! Plain and simple! Spread love, people.
Taking the advice of my past self, we bought the concert tickets. As the world tentatively attempted to resume actual broadcasting, we kept a keen eye out for artists and events that we could attend in our area. Cybertronic Spree, a Canadian rock band, included Durham, NC, in their North American tour. The transforming attire only enchanted the fantastic musical skills as the band filled the air of the small venue of Motorco Music Hall. The remarkable band covered songs from my 80’s childhood and featured original material. We watched them jam out, which only brought more joy. Peter and I experienced a remarkable event that helped us settle into the winter holiday for a Tuesday evening.
Poutine and a gyro, Ready!
The stage!
Masked and Ready!
The venue served terrific cocktails and food to help us enjoy the show. I enjoyed poutine and Peter had a gyro. The opening performer sparked my rave nostalgia club vibes with a gothic twist. The headlining band embodied the characteristics of Hotrod, Arcee, Rumble, Unicron, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Shockwave, and a Quintesson. The heavy metal jams thrilled us as the visual presentations of transformers came to life.
‘Happy, Happy Turkey Day!’ – a song lyric featured in one of my favorite films, Addams Family Values, floated through my mind as I worked out Thanksgiving plans. When considering the amount of upheaval last year imposed with social distancing protocols, my husband and I looked forward to a leisurely holiday celebration. He and I spent time preparing our holiday meal and decor. Holidays always test your flexible nature. So even though I did not watch my football games live, I shared a meal with my husband and his mother, Susan, and fellowshipped. We recorded the fun for me to watch later.
The holiday weekend began with ‘Chef Peter’ donning his apron and pitching into the dinner preparations. My mom supervised me from afar as she readied to spend time with family back home in Oxford, NC. I checked in with my sister as she celebrated her birthday and the holiday in her new home. My father called Peter, and I tackled a 17lb turkey and fixings.
Floral accents for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving 2021 table casual setting
2021 Thanksgiving dinner served!
With the uncertainty that consumed our world, our priorities constantly hold to essential truths. With faith remaining my center and guiding light, our needs focused my actions and thoughts. My family, friends, correspondences, work, and doubters encouraged me to continue forward toward completion. My soul was and is grateful.
Counting our many blessings, I remembered lean times and great times. I found it essential to see and recall things and attributes that make you thankful. I appreciated my family, friends, work, and health this year. My heart gladen that I have not yet seen the fullness of God’s mercy and blessings. With all the struggles and obstacles, the blessing business remains operational.
Celebrating forty-three trips around the sun released a newfound joy that unexpectedly delighted my spirit. My husband, Peter, kicked off the celebration by securing movie tickets to see The Chosen Christmas Special: The Messengers. The film nourished my soul as I looked at the nativity through the lens of the phenomenal show. Hearing the songs of Christmas and remembering the joy of reconnection to God through faith, wonders and promises fulfilled a weary soul. I found my soul moved by how the television show and film encouraged me to renew and exercise faith boldly and unafraid. Later that evening, Peter surprised me with a gift that touched my heart – a beautiful jewelry set of pearls.
43.
My mother planned a special pampering session for the two of us since I planned to travel closer to the Christmas holiday as a gift to her firstborn. A Mommy and me moment remained essential. My stepdad, Chris, secured a lovely bottle of wine by Melanated Wines. My sister, Johnea, called me from across the country to wish me birthday greetings. My dad checked on me to find how my birthday turned out. I wanted to give my family a big ole bear hug!
I do enjoy a good red blend.
Since I took in a film to begin the birthday celebrations, I intended on relatively low-key festivities on the actual day. My father-in-law, Chris, took my husband and me out to a birthday lunch at a nearby Irish pub, Trali Irish Pub & Restaurant. They partook in the restaurant’s specials while I set my sights on the shepherds’ pie paired with a delicious local cider. Chris gave me a present that reflected my love of being a Sagittarian and pearls. After lunch, Peter and I returned home, and the surprises continued.
Yes, the pie is here!
Make a Wish!
I found an online community that enjoyed music and gaming on Twitch’s streaming service during the pandemic. I followed a couple of gamers to enhance my skills with video games and a few DJs that moved the party virtually since the pandemic sheltered us. DJ Flash from Canada used his platform to help me celebrate and created an emote that I could use on the Twitch platform, especially for me for a couple of days. Saying that I was floored understated how overwhelmed I felt. Other streamers and chat families wished me a wonderful birthday, and I felt obligated to fulfill their good sentiments.
My Own personal Twitch Emote! WHAT!!!
Look, Ma, My handle is on TV!
After composing myself from the shock of my own special emote, we joined our regional Starfleet family at the Texas Steakhouse for our monthly meeting. My mother-in-law, Susan, joined us and presented me with a beautiful necklace for a birthday gift. (And of course, I began arranging outfits in my mind to showcase each exceptional piece.) The presents touched my heart, noting how all the local Baylies had the same thought pattern in mind in their gift-giving. So sweet!
When I closed out the birthday evening, I embraced some much-needed relaxation and meditative time to give my thanks. I received cards, calls, emails, messages, and texts that warmed this girl’s heart from family, friends, and acquaintances worldwide. I realized that I am a work still in progress, but standing on the promises and prayers answered humbled and strengthened me. I am an essential thread in the tapestry of a grand human design – a powerful and profound thought and fact. My task is to make my existence solid and purposeful so that God is pleased with the creation from my point of view. I strive to accomplish this mission by intentionally pursuing methods and actions to grow and be a better person than yesterday. For those who do not understand my faith or why, even after I fail and fall short, I still seek a real relationship with The Creator; I can only point out the basic facts of my journey.
I do not appear to have endured the challenges that I manage daily. Internal and external difficulties constantly mandate checks and balances to stay on track. I trust that when I redirected my course, the reason reveals that my destiny demands a more extraordinary mindset and circumstance to fulfill its purpose. I stand proudly beside my husband, whose very presence in my life is a compelling testimony of God’s faithfulness. I build my company to be a firm foundation of love and growth to inspire those who lose focus to hope and grow their legacy. With all the uncertainty in the world, I have my family and friends encamped around me, although we lost a few who graduated to ancestor/guardian status. I am blessed to know those who have ended their journey and appreciate having those still here with me.
Year 43, Here, I come! I want to take a moment to say thank you, God and Goddess, for another year. Peace and blessing, I extend to all.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward, it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
The Amplified Bible version via BibeGateway.com
For the time being, no discipline brings joy but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].
New Revised Standard
Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those trained by it.
During the summer of 2021, the message behind the Hebrew passage called me to rethink my development, implementation, and process to move forward on my spiritual, enterprising ventures and the human journey. As a child, my family found importance in training and growing our life with a Christian tone. Both of my parents are Christians and never pressured me to join the church. I joined my baptist church while in middle school. The decision came to me, not because of pressure but because I felt I was old enough to make a life decision that I did not take lightly.
I participated in different community projects and church activities and carried my truths forward in my life. I never fell away from being a churchgoer, but when I reached my early twenties, I slacked off in my active nature of participation. Living in my same hometown during my young adulthood, I bumped into my pastor while leaving a bookstore. He asked, ‘If he was going to see me on Sunday?’ I responded, ‘I would attend the next service.’ Holding to my word, I rose early on Sunday, donned my Sunday’s best attire, and headed to the church with coffee in hand.
While in the church service, I felt out of sync. I remembered my commitment when I was an active member. The peace of mind my soul craved to reconnect to that type of purposeful living compelled me to act. I felt worlds apart and needed to figure a few things out on my terms and regain harmony.
I stood up at the altar call to rededicate my life to Christ and began a new journey. I went to every bible study my schedule allowed and carried my bible with me. When I went to lunch or dinner alone, I broke out my bible and notes and began to piece together what I knew when I was young and prepare for thoughtful questions when I fellowshipped with others. I joined the choir to keep myself encouraged.
I was asked once, ‘Why did I go to such lengths?, and ‘What was I trying to prove?’. I smile, now, at the reasons that kept me firmly on my path. As life challenged me physically and mentally, my firm commitment to holding to the promises I knew and learned protected, carried, and comforted me during the strain-filled times and the jubilant moments. My discipline helped me deal with engulfing grief, reassured me of better days, and pressed the notion that my labor was not in vain.
The direction and instruction of my youth clarified the assurances that the tests (obstacles/challenges/joys) are only a part of my testimony. I am still needled, challenged, and doubted; my unwavering faith reminds me to handle the things presented. I am not trying to live a perfect life. I am trying to excel in the promises and dreams. I hope that my goals align with God’s will for my life. If the projects I have constructed fail to find a way to sync with my purpose, I faithfully believe in the correction process and will be mindful to adjust and move towards my calling.
Inner Peace. Take One!Inner Peace. Take-Two! Action! This time with feeling and a song.
