pennymickelbury

Just a few words today, Women

I celebrated my birthday last week (and no, I’m not trolling for presents!) and I found myself oddly euphoric. I’m not complaining–I got a kick out of watching me enjoy myself so much–but I did want to know why I was so happy. Then I got it: I’m still here. The gift of life. I have paid lip service to the concept of living in the moment but by jingies I think I finally got it! It required a great number of birthdays to achieve this wisdom. I didn’t need cake or champagne (and yes, I had both!) to fuel my celebration. The thought was sufficient: I’m still here. As a young woman I never marveled at the fact of my existence. Because the moments moved by so quickly? Do they pass more slowly now…or perhaps I have slowed. I’m still here and savoring every moment. Happy Birthday to me.

If you live in a state that holds a primary election today, as I do, please go vote. We know too well what can happen if we don’t.

Claim your life’s moments, Women.

Published by pennymickelbury

I now have two publishers and they're two of the best: Bywater Books and BLF Press. How lucky can one woman be?! My two Bywater titles: DEATH'S ECHOES: #5 in the Mimi Patterson/Gianna Maglione series, published in 2018, and TWO WINGS TO FLY AWAY, a novel of historical fiction, published in 2019, were both Goldie finalists, and DEATH'S ECHOES won the IPPY National Bronze Medal in the Mystery/Thriller category. Number 6 in the Mimi/Gianna series is due out in 2021, and a sequel to TWO WINGS is in progress. BLF Press published my collection of short stories, GOD'S WILL AND OTHER LIES, in 2019. I've always been a writer. Prior to jumping into the novel writing business I was a journalist-a newspaper, radio and television reporter based primarily in Washington, DC. Along with six of my Washington Post colleagues I was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in 2019. In 2020 I was honored to be named a recipient of the Alice B Medal awarded to lesbian writers in recognition of their body of work. I am a native of Atlanta and though I've lived in Los Angeles for many years, I still miss humidity (really) and I'll take a hurricane over an earthquake any day (truly).

7 comments

  3. A belated Happy Birthday to you, Penny. I share your happy feelings about being alive and I consider it one of the rewards of being older. We have time to notice and appreciate all the little miracles that surround us…the nest of newborn finches nestled in the flower box outside my bedroom window, the sun drops’ bright yellow blossoms, my spouse staring at the calendar as she coordinates her planting dates with our vacation schedule.

    Here’s to your good health and more happy times! And yes, indeed, I’ll be voting in November!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I’ll add my belated birthday wishes–let the celebration of life go on and on. Hope to see you in Las Vegas.

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