PERFECTED PRAISE

“Halleluiah anyhow”! In her soft voice and in a spirit of praise that was the ending to many of my conversations with Masalena Bradford. I was adopted into her family when I moved to South Carolina almost 30 years ago. She had a way of being profound and funny. It kind of makes me think of ice cream and cake. Both are good all by themselves but together it’s a special treat and you can hardly get enough. Mama Masalena was filled with wisdom and the word of God. The one thing that remains with me long after her passing is the idea of giving praise no matter your circumstance or situation.

“Halleluiah anyhow”! I have found myself saying it on occasion but Tanganyika Patterson showed me how to live it. Tangie was blessed to retire from AT&T after 30 years of service at the exciting age of 49. Unlike her work tenure, my friendship with her was short and sweet. It actually started one month after her retirement when she learned she had not 1 but 2 brain tumors. At that point, how many of us could fix our mouths to say, “halleluiah anyhow”!? Already prayed up and faith filled Tangie’s response in word and action was I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1)

Tangie believed God for a healing and was well aware that it could come on the other side. In the "mean time" of chemo, radiation and more bad news of another tumor in her colon, she meant what she said and said what she meant and praised God anyhow. Not once did she murmur or complain. There were times I called to uplift her and she wound up praying a powerful prayer for me. Such a precious child of God, such a prayer warrior… The scripture tells us in 1Corinthians 15:58, “be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Tangie lost her 15 month battle with the cancer 2 weeks ago and won eternity with the Lord; and for that I can say with a more perfected praise, “halleluiah anyhow”!

Loving Mother
I’ve been blessed to have had countless remarkable women in my life through my stages, ages and phases; first of which was Cynthia Eloise Allen. I have absolutely no memory of our first meeting, but according to her we bonded immediately. That was the beginning of a mother and daughter relationship that I will cherish forever.
For the most part who I am is because of who she was. Many other wise and nurturing women also had a hand in shaping and molding me. I will be sharing with you some of their “sayings”. At the time they may have seemed funny or vague but by and by, as the elders would say, I have come to see the wisdom.
Because I don’t know any better, I believe a good mother-daughter relationship is priceless. Each day that you have together should bring a greater appreciation. So as a tribute to my natural and adopted mothers who came before me and stood beside me, I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you.
Fancy Footsteps
For ages little girls tried to walk in their mother’s shoes. It is true, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But if the truth be told, I can never walk in your shoes. It is not for me to go where you have already been. But it is what you learned and passed on to me that makes my journey so worthwhile. Thank you for showing me the way.
Kathryn Preston
WWW.RKORIGINALIMAGES.COM