Happy birthday to me.

While organizing my files a few weeks ago, I found a letter that I could not recall ever having seen. In the summer of 1964, my father was in Raleigh, North Carolina, taking teacher-training courses at his alma mater, Saint Augustine’s College. On June 22, he took pen in hand to write my mother a few lines. “I really will be glad when the baby comes,” he said.

The baby? Me.

“Every time the phone rings I listen to hear if it is for me,” he continued. “I’ll be home Friday evening or Saturday depending on what we have to do.”

He came home early Friday, June 26. And I was born at Mercy Hospital that afternoon.

My mother the month before I arrived, in Sunday-best, kitten-heel slingbacks and oversized cloche. 

Today I am 60 years old. It’s an odd thing for me to hear coming out of my mouth, but I am grateful for every year. My father didn’t quite make it to see me here, but my mother’s love buoys me every day.

My father and me the month after I arrived. We lived at 706 Ward Boulevard (on land once owned by Samuel H. Vick) until early the following year.

I’ve been blessed in so many ways across these six decades — in family, friends, love, health, career. There are no greater gifts. Cheers to the next!

18 comments

  1. And you have blessed us with these incredible postings on Black Wide Awake for all these year. It is monumental work that has enriched the community. Happy Birthday to Lisa Henderson!!!! Thank you for all you do!!!

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  3. Happy Birthday Lisa! We are all blessed by your presence. You were born to two absolutely beautiful people. May God continue to rain down His blessings on you.

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  4. Happy birthday and thank you for your incredible blog! We appreciate all your hard work and we applaud you for keeping their stories, their voices, and their triumphs alive!

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  8. Happy Birthday, Lisa. I enjoy your blog very mush and appreciate the careful research you bring to every topic. All.the best to you in the coming year.

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  9. My heavens!! What a splendid life story. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you from the ancestral soils of Africa, namely , South Africa.

    I am sending you warm greetings from the Motherland as you turn 60 years of living. THANK YOU for all that you do for so many, including me.

    May you be more empowered than ever to continue to reap the magnificent assignments and blessings upon the life that God has bestowed on you.

    May your father’s spirit of love for his family abound forever!!

    Reply

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