Drop Everything And Read: Finding Freedom

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are an interesting couple.

One, they look adorable together. Two, they make a great power couple. And three, they’ve managed to change the image of the royal family with the fact that they’re an interracial couple. They are a true representation of what the world now looks like as opposed to how the royal family has always looked from its beginning. When these two were dating, there was a lot of press coverage brewing, but when they announced their engagement and wedding? Things skyrocketed to an entirely different level.

If you didn’t get a chance to see the wedding or the photos from it, you missed something special. It was clear that these two were (and still are) very much in love. However, one couple’s happiness can sometimes be an issue for those who are unhappy with themselves and maybe their own lives. Which Finding Freedom dives into. It specifically highlights not only Meghan and Harry’s love story but also describes all of the public scrutiny and criticism they faced, especially Meghan, stemming from media storms from the press, the challenges inside and outside of the very private walls of the royal palace, and the decision that led to Meghan and Harry walking away from that life. I enjoyed reading this book because I felt that it accurately addressed a lot of the false rumors and stories surrounding these two and was also a chance to clear the air.

It was also a reminder that even behind photographs of candid moments and smiles is always a backstory we may never fully know or see. Earlier this year I was able to watch the sit-down interview Oprah did with Meghan and Harry and it was heartbreaking learning how opposed to the union different people were and how heartless and hateful others hiding behind cameras, computers, and smartphones could be too. I love that Prince Harry has continued to stay by his wife’s side and be a pillar of love and support in a world that isn’t always welcoming or kind to someone and something they don’t like just because it doesn’t fit what they’re used to. If you’re into the royal family, Finding Freedom is a nice read worth checking out.

The Day I Became A Kidney Donor

About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...

I’m Glad I’m Not Married

When I was about five years old, I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s car when me, him, my older cousin (my aunt’s son), and my aunt (my dad’s sister) caught my aunt’s fiancé with another woman. My dad had been driving my aunt out to run some errands since she didn’t have a driver’s license or a car. When she spotted her man with another woman, she told my dad to pull the car over, got out of the car, and immediately addressed him. She wanted the keys back to her apartment and was done with him. The other woman she caught her fiancé with slapped him when she realized what was happening, and that was that. When my aunt returned to the car, she was clearly and understandably upset, and the ride back to her place was quiet. Although I was too young to fully grasp what was happening at the time, I knew it wasn’t good. And now, at 34 years old, I can’t imagine how much pain she was in. Her wedding had been planned and paid for – and she never made it down the aisle. My aunt was a beaut...

How To Respond To A Nasty Email

Technology has made many people bold, rude, and incredibly messy. Often to the point where some may hide behind words they’ve typed instead of verbally communicating a message they want to convey. Such can be the case when it comes to sending emails. Ah, emails. You know what they are. Electronic messages that can be quickly drafted, sent, and misinterpreted (because you can’t always interpret tones or emotions through them). Which is why it’s key to know how to respond to nasty emails if they should ever come your way – especially in the workplace. As a working professional, there have been plenty of times when a coworker or superior sent an email my way that was petty, mad disrespectful, and unprofessional. And before I learned how to properly utilize email etiquette, my first instinct would always be to clap back. I just felt the need to respond and to communicate that I wouldn’t allow anyone, no matter who they were, to disrespect me. And while I haven’t taken t...

Making Waves