Our Blessed Life

Our Simple Blessed Life

The room on the other side of the hall was dark however a small amount of daylight shown between the slightly bowed window shade. This light focused on the top of the dresser. On top are brushes, facial products a hair dryer let you know that at least two people sleep in this place. The huge faux antique mirror makes the person looking into it appear a bit rounder than they actually were. The room smells of the scented candles and cologne that is on the dresser. Each item competes with the other items like the men’s shaver stands out bolder than the petite perfume bottle from an earlier era. You could tell the lady of the house uses the dresser more than her husband. The eclectic assortment of cosmetics all natural handmade facial creams and hair moisturizers juxtaposed with high end brands of the same type all made to look very elegant with her jewelry box beaming over with faux pearls, real gold earrings and exotic bracelets representing the many cultures of the world.

Each day we push each other from the center of the mirror as we dress for the day. Sometimes we acted like team mates me smearing lotion on his ashen face and him correcting mistakes I have made with my scarf. We gaze at each other affectionately as we primp before our audience of two in the looking glass. The first one finished always teases the other about needing more time due to old age. It is all in fun and a very positive way to begin our daily routine.

He’s off to our family business a variety store not far from downtown in Atlanta and me to study at the library, do research at the National Archives or attend a writing class. Our working worlds are miles apart and do not meet anywhere. As I review old documents at the National Archives researching intently for information about people in my families’ distant past to compile a family history album. He is entertaining customers at our store in East Point. A place that has a massive variety of clothing, accessories with a touch of this in old school music and a touch of that in decorative sports socks. Some of the socks have Greek symbols on them others have logos of local and national sports teams.

All meet the needs of our diverse customer base. Although located in a low to moderate income neighborhood we have customers who travel from many areas in

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the city to get the item that is not available in a high end boutique where they live or corner convenience store. Our white sage is popular with holistic health healers in the area. West African inspired skirts, slacks and dresses appeal to the more culturally minded individuals who want to add some spice to their wardrobes and show their pride in their heritage.

We have our customers who come just for a bottle of spring water and a short chat with my husband in between business meetings or on a break from working on the streets near are store. He is easy to talk to and can hold his own with the very well educated or get down with the guy who barely made it out of the 9th grade. He is a very intent listener and does not forget what you say to him. Not the person to be dishonest with for he will know it and like an elephant not forget.

Some days as you walk into the shop you may hear Aretha Franklin telling you to give her some RESPECT or Johnny Taylor crooning Believe in Me many take time to enjoy the music. If he is promoting our varied T-Shirt collection you probably will be serenaded by Prince. On some days the blues rule and the master Bobby Blue Bland will grab you at the door with “Ain’t no Love in the Heart of the City.” Or you may catch the store ring master rearranging or adding new clothes in the store display windows. Each item of clothing is treated like it owns act. You can see the love Brother Abdullah has for his baby Maidah/African Village.

Like Drake says “We Started at the Bottom Now Were Here!” My husband began building his business very humbly by selling a few clothing items and essentials oils entrusted to him by vendors he knew on his way to and from work on the MARTA bus in 1984. At the time he worked as a painter for the Housing Authority. Each day as he would go to and from work he would sell a dress to someone or a couple of roll-on bottles of fragrance to riders on the bus or train. He and a dear friend to this day shared a small humble apartment in the mid-80s. Both men were struggling however had plans for a much brighter future.

Today his roommate owns a spacious home with his wife who is a NP in the suburbs. I forget what company he retired from a few years ago. Both men have worked tirelessly to make their dreams of a better life become a reality. Proving it is not where you start however where you finish as Reverend Jesse Jackson often says. If you can dream it and are willing to work for it, you can achieve it.