My Black is NOT Cracking.

I know. I’m late with my post. But I have a really good excuse!

So we were recently confronted with the fact that my Daughter’s black is cracking a little bit. Don’t worry, I have a plan to seal the cracks. About ten days ago after several weeks of weird symptoms, she received a diagnosis of MS. It was pretty devastating. (For about fifteen minutes.) I/we have had our fair share of challenges in life, but this by far would be the greatest. 

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No mother ever wants to see their child sick, in pain, or suffering. It is heartbreaking. Here I was fearing Covid and those test came back good and negative.. twice! That said, during minute sixteen, my killer and mother instincts kicked in and I remembered, that I just don’t go down without a fight. She’s not going down without one either. We are tough women! Humpty Dumpty was in the wrong hands! All the King’s horsemen don’t have #*it on mom! What the hell was Humpty Dumpty any way? I don’t even remember. I just remember, they couldn’t put his ass back together again. She’s not Humpty and I don’t do CAN’T! Anyone that knows me knows that “CAN’T,” is not a word that often rolls out of my mouth.

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My Daughter (aka affectionately known as Big Head and I told her I knew one day that head would give us trouble! It’s not that big. I tease!) is an amazing single Mom who moved out after she graduated (I mean like days!) and has never asked for assistance at ANY TIME SINCE. Not even with two children! Not one loan. Not one favor. She never once asked me to babysit. NOT ONCE. I would have to say, “I’m taking my grand baby this weekend!” Then go snatch her up! 

So around minute twenty, I also remembered that I believe in miracles and I’m pretty much due for one! (Or five!) Been a little rough ya’ll for a few years now.(Or fifteen!) Then, I remembered why I attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for Food & HEALTH! Because I firmly believe that you can heal yourself through diet and lifestyle changes. Worst case, would be to NOT decline, but I totally believe most, if not all illness can be reversed. 

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I attended that program twenty years ago because I had the desire to change and improve lives with food. I never imagined my Daughter would be my first patient, but let the healing begin. I now know why I attended. It will serve us both now. No Mom wants to hear, “Mommy, I’m scared.” Not from a 2 year old, not from a 12 year old and not from a 38 year old! Nah, we are not doing the fear thing. WE GOT THIS.

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With the right dietary changes, lifestyle changes, stress reduction, exercise, yoga, meditation and a positive attitude you can heal your mind and your body from whatever ails you. If I didn’t believe this I wouldn’t have wasted all that money on tuition and I would presently be curled up on the floor in the fetal position!  

Where there is a will, there is a way and I have plenty of will. I have enough will for the both of us. Here I thought my biggest accomplishment would be my future Emmy or Tony Award, but I will take the spontaneous healing of my Daughter all day, every day. I’m good with that. I’m okay with not being asked what inspired my screenplay or stage play and instead grilled on exactly what steps I took to heal my child. Yes, I said child. I know she’s 38, but she’s still my baby and my friend. So when I’m interviewed about the amazing work I have done, the question will be, “So, tell us, how did you heal your Daughter?”

Yup her black is cracking a lil’ bit, but here’s the thing with me and mine. We might crack, but we never BREAK!  

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So, please forgive me because this is all that I have for you this week. I will be back next week. I brought my Daughter home from the hospital and right now the focus is on instituting necessary changes, developing some new habits, shopping and preparing for this new lifestyle and diet.

Ironically some of the changes I need her to make are changes I needed to make for myself as well. What will benefit her in terms of healing will also benefit me in terms of aging. For one, getting the right nutrients to support brain function. (So I remember where I put my keys and pretty much everything else I set down!) The biggest change will be getting the right nutrients from food rather than relying on supplements. We both need B vitamins. As with many black folks, there’s typically a deficiency in Vitamin D because of our skin color and may be a contributing factor. Sulphurous vegetables like kale, broccoli, cabbage, and my personal favorites garlic and onions are super beneficial.

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The typical Western/North American diet is lacking in nutrients! The food industry did a number on everyone saying you need to live fat-free. Lies. You might need to live added sugar free, but fats have benefits. You have to choose the right fats. Your brain is made up of a good amount of fat, so based on my research, healthy fats like olive oil, avocados and fatty fish are great for your brains.

As with aging, a focus on foods that fight, rather than cause inflammation is also key. According to Dr. Terry Wahls, “Dairy, grains and legumes are implicated with auto-immune reactions for people with MS,” so we will both be avoiding those. Many issues related to aging are caused by inflammation. Inflammation triggers an immune response which is something you do not want when you are suffering from any type of auto-immune illness. Dr. Wahls reversed her MS after seven years of deterioration by changing her diet. She, who was in a more advanced stage of MS went from a wheel chair to a marathon. Favorite word in that quote is “reverse.”

I will be preparing meals for both of us so that I will eat what she eats. It’s not a huge adjustment for me, but it also allows us to share yet one more thing. I too, need to stay healthy, especially now. If I’m not strong, I can’t hold her up when she needs me.

She will be back on her feet in no time. (both of them and balanced!) She has to be. She’s my hairstylist and I need my hair done! I am currently a HOT MESS!