Today I Celebrate Me...

WOW! Another year has gone by. Hard to believe. Where does the time go? At this time last year I was in Los Angeles hanging out with a variety of Friends, some of whom I had not seen in a very long time. I went seeking sun and beach only to learn about "June Gloom". Apparently some parts of LA are void of sun for the most part of June. Because I was staying at Redondo Beach and was so close to the water, some days were damn near cold and some others were overcast with the gloom of June... Who knew? LOL! It was a fabulous time nonetheless! I enjoyed my time with Friends and Family. It was great...

As I prepare for what will be a subdued birthday this year, I am reminded of birthdays past. Without exception, my birthday is my special time to celebrate me! I have celebrated birthdays by doing something as simple as spending a day being pampered at a local spa, as I will today, to spending the entire month of June in Egypt marveling at the wonders of my history and dining on the Nile.

Milestone birthdays have been purposeful and extra special. The big 4-0 was celebrated on a cruise with 25 dear Friends. 35 was celebrated partying harder than I have ever partied in life. I reconnected with an old Friend from my college days and went to St. Maarten for the very first and the very best of the Sinbad Soul Festivals, 1995. Chartered planes filled with a few hundred mature and spirited Black folks from around the country descended on the island for a week of nothing but pure fun! Parties were held on a different beach every day. Concerts were held nightly with the best of performers from the 70's; Earth, Wind & Fire, The O'Jays, Gladys Knight, Frankie Beverly, Teena Marie, Ohio Players, Natalie Cole, Al Green and more. Celebrities, to include Angela Bassett, Isaac Hayes and Tom Joyner mingled, partied and took photos with us regular folks. HBO taped the event, segments of which aired later that summer. Night clubs stayed open and filled with partygoers, including myself, til' 5am! The weather was perfect and everyone was in good spirits. I had so much fun that I had to remind myself to stop and eat. Sleep was almost unheard of until we boarded our flight for home. It was such a grand time that one of the DC ladies had a party at her house later that summer for all to gather, share photos, swap tales and reminisce about our trip. It was the best time ever!!!

Miss Higgi & Frankie Beverly

Thirty was celebrated by having a party at "The Club" in Washington, DC. I remember that it was on a Friday night and I danced all night long! One of my Friends described that I partied like an over aged teenager! This too is a good memory. The Club became on of my favorite DC hang outs. It was at located above the Days Inn Hotel at 12th & K Streets, NW. Ah, the good ole' days!!!

Fifty was fab too! I celebrated in Punta Cana & Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with two very dear and long time Friends. In between I have celebrated birthdays in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Florida, Jamaica, San Francisco, Arizona, Las Vegas, Sydney, Australia and more.

Today I turn 53! Today I am truly grateful! Grateful that despite a few bumps along the way, this ride of life has been mostly good. I fully recognize and appreciate that I have been blessed in that I have been afforded some truly wonderful experiences and met some truly fantastic people! 

Thank You God for Your many blessings and for another year to inspire others and to Celebrate Me... 

Today I Celebrate Me, Happy Birthday Miss Higgi...