Photos of me, Stephen, my father Edward Gordon Palmer and my Aunts as children. I don’t have any pictures of my Mom Mable Elizabeth Palmer as a child because her family was too poor to afford a camera or have photos taken of them. I have included a picture of my childhood dresser which I’ve had since I was five years old. It came as part of a Vanity set but only this piece survives.
Also shown is a photographer of my paternal Grandfather William Junius Palmer with some of his children taken around 1923 in Mt. Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park) in Harlem. My Dad Edward Palmer is not in this photo because he was born in Feb. 1930. The little boy seated on my Grandfather’s lap who would have been my Uncle died of polio. My grandparents lost at least two boys to this disease. My Dad was the only boy to survive and he was nicknamed Precious.
The photo of my Dad Edward G. Palmer was done in around 1935 by famous Harlem Renaissance photographer James Van Der Zee. http://www.biography.com/people/james-van-der-zee-9515411
Baby Me & Lamby Pie
Me and Stephen 1961
Little Me
My Childhood Dresser I’ve had since age 5.
DeBorah had a Little Lamb
1961- A Very Good Year
Defiant precocious DeBorah
My Grandfather William J. Palmer with some of his children in Mt. Morris aka Marcus Garvey Park
No Matter What Other People Think or Say About Me, God Loves Me with a Sense of Purpose. The words of the enemy mean nothing to me only what God has to say about me. My writing and photography are my Passions and my Purpose. My brother Stephen is often my Muse.
My Raison D’être
Habakkuk2:2-3
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Just Live by Faith
2Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
Halloween!! I also enjoy Thanksgiving because it involves food!!
How do you celebrate that holiday?
By dressing up!! Last year I was DeBorah the Huntress and Stephen was Robin Hood!!
Gratitude
I know the question was not included but I just wanted to say I’m grateful that I was able to spend time with my brother Stephen and that we were able to enjoy two movies. Both Captain America | Civil War and the X-Men Apocalypse were good action filled films! I’m also grateful that today I was able to see a performance by Dance Africa a program put on every year at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music). This year’s featured African country was Senegal. The dancers performed both traditional and modern African Dance! They were outstanding!!
Memorial Day in America is a day set aside to Honor Veterans who have passed away and especially those who were killed in battle. So I dedicate this poem and verse to my Dad Edward Gordon Palmer, (Feb. 11, 1930 – May 13th, 1995) Rest in Peace Daddy. Living Veterans including myself get their special day on November 11th which we in the United States call Veterans Day.
Who Knows My Story or My Song
America You Know Not My Story Nor My Song.
Black, African, Native American, Asian, Hispanic.
We wore OD Green, camouflage, Dress Greens.
Now I wear a different uniform.
Once you saluted and proudly hailed my years of service with snarky sweet platitudes.
Now you curse and revile me. A Woman. A Man. Those Who proudly served Our Country have become less than the grass and dirt under our feet but remember it was we who cultivated your Land. The Land to which we shall all return. The Land We call America.
When?! When America will you see that Brown face as you sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, mothers & fathers.
I Love You America though you still don’t Love me. I Love you so much that even without the strength of my youth I would gladly serve you again for my ancestral bonds run deep within your soil.
Though you try you can never eliminate me or others like me for we are the fabric of human society. Creators of multiple galaxies and universes. We shall Live Forever.
Double V for Victory
Back in World War II Black soldiers fought for Double Victory. Victory overseas and Victory over discrimination and racism at home. As you well know African Americans have proudly served our country during all its conflicts despite never getting any recognition and returning to a country that despised us.
My Dad Edward G. Palmer served during the Korean War. Fortunately he did not go to Korea otherwise I would not be here today but Dad in his own way fought for Victory back home. I still remember my parents quietly talking at night about lynchings, the KKK and the murders of Civil Rights Workers. I was supposed to be asleep but I silently left my room to find out what they were discussing.
Dad hoped that my generation would have it better. There was some change thanks to the Civil Rights movement but even today Victory at Home is an elusive concept for Black Americans.
Just the fact that a few days ago some of us had a discussion on how we have to protect our developmentally disabled sons and brothers from being shot by the police speaks to that.
Some were killed in the various wars. However some died fighting for Victory here at home. A level playing ground eludes us. Every day racism and for women sexism and ageism will and has killed more of us than any war on foreign soil. I’m in that latter group.
As my Dad used to say, “The more things change. The more they stay the same.
With your answers, please remember we are in the SYW world and which may not always match our reality.
When do you feel most connected with others?
I’m a Loner and an Solitary so it is very rare for me to be or feel connected to others. Rather I’m connected to Nature. I prefer being outdoors in good sunny weather taking photographs. However one instance that stands out for me in terms of connectedness was last January when I attend the New York Paid Family Leave Rally where New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Vice President Joe Biden spoke. The bill just recently became Law in the state of New York and will take effect January 2018. At least I feel like I helped to accomplish something.
What daily habit would you like to introduce to your life?
More Sleep and exercise!!
What one mini-little-adventure would you like to have in the coming week?
That some kind, gentle and generous soul would take me out to the beauty and nail salon. I need to have my hair, fingernails and toenails done!! Having a Fully Paid Free for Me Day of Beauty would be a wonderful thing!!
List things or events that changed your Life: It could be as simple as a book or meeting a certain person?
Committing my Life to Jesus Christ.
Joining the military and serving in the United States Army.
The deaths of my Beloved parents Edward & Mable Palmer.
Having and surviving a minor stroke at age 49.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
I am grateful that my court case went well and had a successful and victorious outcome. I’m also grateful for meeting and dancing with the Lost Samurai! That was fun!!
As for this upcoming week looking forward to just getting through the work week with the least amount of pain and making it to the weekend.
Espiritu en Fuego/A Fiery Spirit 