From Penny Loafers to Prada Pumps! Reflections of Love, Laughter & Life - This Woman’s Perspective on Friendships and Relationships

FROM PENNY

LOAFERS TO PRADA PUMPS!

Reflections of Love, Laughter & Life - This Woman’s Perspective on Friendships and Relationships

FROM PENNY

LOAFERS TO PRADA PUMPS!

Reflections of Love, Laughter & Life - This Woman’s Perspective on Friendships and Relationships

Bernadette Holder

Copyright © 2014 by Bernadette Holder

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior consent of the publisher.

First Edition: April 2014

Quantum Media Emporium

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 978162030986

Dedication

This book is dedicated to anyone who has had a relationship or

friendship that has touched your life in some way. You have grown

because of it and it has shaped you into the person you have become

today.

If you have experienced true love because of those relationships or

friendships, you are extremely fortunate and I hope this will

encourage you to pass it on.

❧

Acknowledgments

I am so humbled by the completion of this book. I’d like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from whom all my blessings flow. I recognize that I am able to share what He’s given to me to tell, because He has been with me through it all. The woman I am begins with Him; and the mercies He has provided to me daily.

I’d like to thank the love of my life, my husband Frank. Thank you for your endless support and complete faith in me. You encouraged me to put my words to paper and begin this book. It took me a few years to really believe I could do it, but here it is! I love you for making me feel empowered to do something SO big.

Watching you day after day do your thing with the Humor Mill makes me extremely proud of you. What you’ve done with your vision is awe inspiring!

To my children; Ta’Quane, Taylor, LJ aka Little Junior (who is now going by Frankie) and Tania, I love all of you! I’m blessed to have such amazing children. Quane, I’m so proud of you and I know you have the gift to write, beyond other things. I pray you will follow my lead and do even better than what I envision or hope to accomplish for myself. Be the best you - you can possibly be. Taylor, I know you are the eccentric one and will act, sing, or do both. The world better get ready for you, because I’m certain they will be pleasantly surprised my little British Butterfly. LJ, my perfect little gentleman in the making; you also have the same vivid imagination as I do and the gift to write, draw and so much more. This is your cue to finish your book and your script. I have complete faith in your talent and God-given ability. I know you can do it! Tania, I encourage you to tap into your passion and I promise you - you will excel in ways you never imagined. I want you to know although you were not birthed by me, you are one of mine and I am so fortunate to have you as my daughter. I’m so happy you and Ta’Quane are close. If I haven’t told you both, that means the world to me. Please take the words of this book to heart… I hope it will be helpful to the four of you.

To my parents, I cannot express the gratitude I have for you! I am the woman I am because I had a great upbringing. You were the epitome of what I strive to be. The way you treated one another and the way you treated me, encouraged me and uplifted me, this is the way I have nurtured my family. If I haven’t said it lately… I appreciate you! I love you! I am grateful for you!

To my cousins Loretta and Laura, you were and will always be just like my sisters. We grew up in the same room, whether it was upstairs or downstairs and I am thankful to have had both of you! I always think about those days and miss you both like crazy. But just because we don’t see each other on a regular basis, please know I feel the same as I did when we grew up! Retta, you are my Shero for your tremendous courage and strength. You are a SURVIVOR; Breast Cancer exposed your strength in many ways and I love you girl! I certainly cannot forget Ms. Dessa (Odessa) and Debra, you two are always close to my heart. I miss you and always look forward to all of us getting together again. You are all my girls and a constant encouragement to me!!! Thank God for Facebook and always staying in touch with me.

To my Auntie-Auntie, my second mom! I love me some you! You always encourage me and I can’t wait to give you a big hug!!! Thank you so much for praying for me. It means everything. To Auntie Sandra, Auntie Lorraine and Auntie Katie you were great role models and I have lived by words you’ve said and the actions you’ve taken in your own lives. What a bunch of strong women. To my Grandmother, my firecracker, I admire you. Whenever I hear your voice, I smile every single time. I get inspired each time we talk because of the many stories you’ve shared with me. You have been an incredible example of what it is to be strong and humble at the same time. I love and miss you.

I’d be remised if I didn’t thank my uncles. You all are the best! I can honestly say you have always been the best family anyone could ask for and I thank you. That goes for all of Grandma’s sons, by blood and marriage. I love you. Uncle John, I have missed MSBC, but I’m watching you online and I see what you’re doing. I’m so proud!

To my Bestie Tray, girl what is there to say about you?! You have been such a constant in my life and I thank you for even making me think I could write. When I penned my very first poems and sent them to you… you kept every one and in turn made them into a beautiful book for my 30th birthday! You are amazing and I don’t know what I’d do without a friendship like yours. I’m blessed to call you sister-friend!

To my extended family; it’s been difficult not seeing you on a regular basis. But we