What's on your tombstone

With the recent passing of the 'Voice' Whitney Houston (my favorite artist), it awakened in me a since of my own mortality. With 2012 approaching, a conversation spun with a friend regarding our 'Bucklist Manifesto'.  We agreed to give serious thought about our life's goals in the month of January; and make a compilation of at least ten things to accomplish in 2012.  Admittedly, I'm still in the process of completing the ten-item manifesto; I have made tremendous progress and anxiously awaiting to experience some desires of my heart.  Reflecting over the past couple of years, I smile to myself because in spite of life's rocky roads; I have experience many, many extraordinary moments of joy and happiness.  As time waits on no man, I am more encouraged to strive for ultimate jubilation in breathtaking moments shared with love ones.  When the curtains have closed, I want my tombstone to read 'I Danced'.  One of my favorite songs is 'I Hope You Dance'- I have it framed hanging on my home-office wall.  The lyrics are: 

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder, where those years have gone?)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance
 

**Compilation of a few joyous moments over the past couple of years:

 

 President Barack Obama's Inauguration

 

Celebrating a past Xmas at City Place, Dallas 

 

Celebrating birthday at Oceanaire, Dallas Galleria

Celebrating 10th anniversary at Five Sixty, Dallas by Wolf Gang Puck

 A visit from college girlfriend Anita from Memphis, TN a couple years ago

 Celebrating girlfriend's Valarie husband's birthday (loaded!)

 

 Celebrating a past Xmas at my older house

 Daruis and LaShundra's wedding rehearsal dinner at my older house

 

Photo with my Uncle Lavern at rehearsal dinner

 New York:  I LOVE New York

 (

 New York at Forest Gump's restaurant

 Celebrating a past Xmas at girlfriend Ruth's home

 Celebrating my 46th birthday

 New York to see the musical 'Memphis' with hubby

 Welcoming the newest Hamberlin (maiden name) into the family (The beautiful Layla)

 New York at wax museum

 New York with girlfriends Ruth and Valarie (Everybody in the club getting Tipsy!)

 Superbowl weekend in Dallas

 New York to see musical (yes, I saw it twice - loved it twice)

 AKAs and Kappa's Kasino Night

 With girlfriend Velene at Babyface and Charlie Wilson's concert (Oh yeah! VIP)

 Birthday celebration for girlfriend Valarie's husband

 Darius and LaShundra's wedding reception at Sheraton - Dallas

 Fayette, MS at Uncle Lavern's home with AKAs (sorors) and a Delta girl

(taken after the repast of Uncle Herman)

 Gene's 45th birthday at Ms. Mary's

 Xmas 2011 moment with my son