Love the Skine It's In

As Kathy was doing laundry, she began to rearrange the clothes in her husband's drawer. By her surprise, she came across a Moleskine small black notebook. She's never seen this book before and she wondered why her husband placed it underneath the clothes in his bottom drawer. Instinctively, she knew it was hidden for a reason and she wanted to know why. She debated if she should have a Dora the Explorer moment. As she paced the floor with sheer restraint; she remembered her vows.

Kathy and her husband were newlyweds. Saving to buy a house. Still in bliss and expecting a baby in 2 months.

Kathy was devastated to think about her husband storing his little black book from his bachelor days. Her anxiety increased by ten at this point and she decided to open the book. As she held the book she was trying with every attempt to prepare herself for what she was about to see. She held the book as though admiring the leather, although worn, it remained sturdy like a classic. She could definitely tell he's had it for a while; which peaks greater curiosity. As it grew her hands started to remove the elastic ribbon; which was made to hold it securely close. Although it didn't offer the level of security that was required that day. No one was there to stop this curious Kat. She was on the prowl to do some detective work.

When Kathy opened her husband's book she broke out in tears of despair. She was devastated to see that she really didn't know her husband as she believed. The little black book was a gift from her husband Mal; which he had given as a gift to his mother.

Kathy found a letter written on the front cover. The letter read: Dear Mother, Thank you for giving me life and keeping me protected from hurt, harm, and danger! I'm 25 and still have some living to do, so here's the little black book you raved about. Now you can use this as your prayer journal. Continue to pray away our generational curses. Love, Malcolm.

Kathy was terrified at what she read in her husband's handwriting. She freaked to think of the type of hurt , harm and danger she was in, not to mention the curse. She freaked out - until she finished reading the front cover.

It was a note written back to Malcolm stating:

My dear Son, I love you and you have been the best son a mother could ask for. I have prayed everyday for you and our family. Momma is getting tired and you have to finish the race. Tell the world about your dream. I believe in you. Thank you for choosing me to be your mother. Love Mom. P.S. I'm proud of you for following your heart and marrying that girl. She's a good woman, I just wish she could have been black.

At this point Kathy is in a full Oprah cry. As her husband Mal walks through the door. In panic and concern he rushed up to his wife, as she held his book. He stopped in - mere shame. He never wanted his wife to see that. He was devastated.

His mother died two months after the wedding and that little black book was the only item he wanted from her possessions. He knew that he was now given the baton; to finish what his mom started. Yet, everyone would not understand. Everyone meaning - his wife. He was proud of the decision he made and wanted to explore how great other cultures are. And he was happy.

Now he has to explain to his nosey wife about the Prayer Journal he purchased from Moleskine as a Mother's Day gift for his mom. One thing Mal loves about Kathy is her ability to see other people's perspective which helped her fall so deep in love with him. As he feels often.

Kathy began to apologize for snooping and she started to smile. She was elated; which shocked Mal. She wobbled to him with glee, to say: She said something nice about me. I never thought I would ever hear or see anything nice coming from her about me. Her face changed to OH! She began to apologize while reaching up to his cheeks. Mal looked at Kathy with bliss, to say: That's why I love you! You remind me of my mother. After a long while of him explaining how he felt they were similar, Kathy saw the resemblance. She was proud to stand alongside her man, as she requested a Moleskine Journal of her own to write down all her prayers, goals, plans, and affirmations.

Mal chuckled at Kathy's attempt to passive aggressively close the conversation. Her hopes were high that he wouldn't have a problem with her invading his privacy. Mal was relieved that he no longer had to figure out how to tell her about the book. He wanted to develop a financial plan when he told her about the inheritance. This was a lesson learned from a prior experience when she won the big lotto. Kathy lost her mind. This is also during the time Mal started to send his mom the prayer journals. He felt the blind was leading the blind as it pertained to finances. However, he was willing to work through anything with that woman. He was proud to be her husband and wanted to be a better man for her.

Although ill prepared and caught off guard, Mal hugged his wife and said: Let me explain. Before Mal could get a word out, Kathy interrupted with; It's okay. I understand, some things are meant to be kept to yourself. This blindsided Mal. He thought Kathy examined the contents of the book as she did with his phone. But she didn't. As you know she didn't read past the front cover.

Kathy changed the topic and went on talking about bills piling up and her being fearful of having to go on leave after her fall.

They both were trying to make ends meet. Scraping up what they could to pay bills, yet Mal was smiling. Elated to the point where it scared Kathy. She asked: what are you so excited about?

Mal grabbed the mail on his way into the house and we started opening mail once Kathy mentioned the bills. An envelope, which was addressed to Kathy, was opened. To their surprise the insurance company issued a $20,0000 check for her pain and suffering for her fall. Kathy wasn't expecting anything substantial due to how her luck was curated.

When Kathy found out about her settlement, she hit the roof. It works, she said. The prayer journal works. It answered my prayers. She was elated as she rushed up to Mal to confirm what he was saying. Mal was shocked when Kathy replied, Let's build a financial plan on how to spend the money to make sure it's spent wisely, this time.

Kathy looked up to Mal, not only because he was tall in stature, however it's because she respected him and his support.

While they talked about the financial plan they started to develop one. While working through their plan, Mal said: Let's consider all of the money we have coming in. He reached for the small black notebook. Kathy's eyes were glued to this mysterious book, while her husband gently turned the pages.

Here it is, he stated. He showed Kathy his inheritance of $250,000 including his mother estate. Kathy freaked out. Mal has never seen Kathy this frantic. Kathy picked up her laptop, with no hesitation, she started ordering more of the Moleskine notebooks for her, family and friends. This stuff works, she stated; while looking up at Mal. She finished with: what made you get this notebook. Mal replied: well Kat.. I had that dream and I wanted it to be written and stored in something that resembled the quality my dream held to me. So I bought everyone close to me one to serve the same purpose for them. He added: And I like my woman to match the ivory-colored pages.

Kathy looked with concern, and stated: I believe in you Malcolm and I will be by your side as we live out your dream to end racial inequalities.