Be Careful Please

I say goodbye to a friend.

DeKalb teen dies from injuries in Saturday car wreck
Head-on crash killed other driver Lisa Hutchinson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
After playing in a pair of baseball games on Saturday, 16-year-old Benjamin Bynum went to the movies with some buddies.
The Stephenson High School sophomore never made it home.

Family
Bynum died Tuesday evening from the injuries he sustained when the car he was riding in with five other teenage boys crossed the center line on Rockbridge Road in DeKalb County. The crash killed 43-year-old Lisa Hutchinson, whose 1994 Toyota Corolla was hit head-on.
Recent headlines:

Bynum died Tuesday evening from the injuries he sustained when the car he was riding in with five other teenage boys crossed the center line on Rockbridge Road in DeKalb County. The crash killed 43-year-old Lisa Hutchinson, whose 1994 Toyota Corolla was hit head-on.
A friend’s mom was supposed to pick the boys up at the theater, according to Benjamin’s mom, Linda Bynum. But those plans changed when her son met up with other friends. Linda Bynum suspects one of the boys offered the others a ride home in a 1995 Honda Accord.
“They decided they didn’t need to wait,” she said Wednesday night. The boys were all childhood friends.
Linda Bynum learned of the accident from her husband, Bernard, as she got home from work late Saturday. Because of the extent of his injuries, Benjamin was taken to Grady hospital.
“We were told there was nothing they could do,” Linda Bynum said. “He was already critical.”
DeKalb police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said Saturday night’s accident is still under investigation. Charges likely are pending against the 16-year-old driver of the Honda. He also suffered injuries in the crash.
Linda Bynum said the community support her family has received has been overwhelming. Church members, neighbors and Benjamin’s former teachers and coaches have reached out to the Bynums. Benjamin was active in his church, in the Beta Club at school, and was considering running for class president next year.
As the family makes funeral arrangements, they have found some comfort from knowing Benjamin’s organs have already helped several others.
“Even in death, there’s life,” Linda Bynum said. “To know that someone else is living on because of what the organs could offer is such a blessing.”
Benjamin is also survived by two brothers.

Enjoy

No words today because you should be outside enjoying the wonderful day!!!

My Name Is Jade

Fuck you too, I shouted! What? He replied back. Fuck you too, I answered. Ok, he said. Then continued to play as he was before the argument started between this man and me. One team had been on the court for quite some time, and when that happens the team never wants to accept defeat and this was no different. Once the inevitable defeat took place things seemed to have cooled down. Finally I was up next to play. While walking onto the court I was blindsided by the man whom I’d been arguing with moments before. I mean he sucker punched me dead in the mouth. His boys surrounded me, and I was trapped. I didn’t know anyone because I was new to the area. I think the man came to his senses as I put up my fighting arms lol. Understand I was 16 and he was approx. 28-32. I was jacked up. What a shot he got in. I needed stitches to close my lip. It was a big as 2 golf balls. I stayed out of school for like 2 weeks until the swelling went down. I swore that if I ever saw him again I’d kill him!

“Let me get 15 on pump 3”, I said as I handed the attendant a $20 bill. As he handed me the $5 in change I turned and noticed a man sitting in a Suzuki Sidekick outside. Instantly I was back on that basketball court from 6 years ago. It was that man who sucker punched me and left a permanent scar. Things had changed quite a bit over the last 6 years. 3 of my friends were sitting in the car waiting on me to come out of the gas station. Funny thing, well at least to me, we’d just come from playing basketball. I walked to my car and informed my friends that the dude in the Sidekick needed to get a quick beat down. With no objections from anyone, we proceeded to walk up on the fellow that truly had it coming. I asked, “Do you remember me?” Before he could answer one of my friends hit him. It was on from there. He didn’t have a chance. Figures huh, neither did I. Now I’m not going into detail but let’s just say, he won’t be hitting on anyone else for while unless he has help, if you know what I mean. (Though I know you don’t) Last words before we drove off were, my name is Jade!

Would You Mind?

Would you mind if I talked to you for a while
Would you mind if I walked you home…………lol….I know it might be a long walk considering we live in Georgia
Would you mind if I held your hand and carried your stuff lol
Would you mind if I complimented you on how nice you look
Would you mind if I told you I really like you and I’ve wanted to tell you that, a long time ago
Would you mind if I told you I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known
Would you mind if when we finally made it to your home, I gave you a kiss and thanked YOU for walking with me
Would you mind if I asked if we could maybe see each other,,,,say next Tuesday at starbucks, say around 9pm or so
Would you mind if I didn’t wait til Tuesday to call you
Would you mind if I told you your smile brightens my days
Would you mind if I sent you a text with these words…….Good morning! Hope you have a great day!
Would you mind if I gave you flowers for no reason
Would you mind if I asked you to be my girlfriend……:)
Would you mind if I wrote you love notes
Would you mind if I had lunch with you
Would you mind if I told you that, everyday I’m with you feels good and new
Would you mind if I asked you to dance with me
Would you mind if I pulled you close
Would you mind if said I think we make a lovely pair
Would you mind if I act silly at times
Would you mind if I sang you songs even though I can’t sing
Would you mind if I told you I know you’ll be successful with anything you choose to do
Would you mind if I called you by nicknames that I made up
Would you mind if I kissed you again :)
Would you mind if I wanted to give you the moon the stars the sun and whatever other things that seem out of reach
Would you mind if I just simply said nothing and just enjoyed you
Would you mind if I made love to you
Would you mind if we shared thoughts, dreams, and plans together
Would you mind if I wanted all these things and more
Would you mind if they ended
Would you miss it?

Jaheem

Moved to tears as I listen to the story of 11 year old Jaheem of The Virgin Islands. His parents moved to the US where Jaheem attended a Dekalb County School. I'm not going to make this long. Basically after being bullied at school because of his accent for quite some time, little Jaheem came home from school one day and went to his room where he took a belt and went to his closet and hanged himself. My prayers go out to his family. I can only imagine what was going on in his head to have his life taken in such a way. He reminds me of my son. Listening to his mom talk about how happy and playful he was, simply moved me to tears. This was an 11 year old! 11! There are people around us daily that carry hurt or fear or even pain. To anyone that may find these words that think that all hope is lost, please know that it IS NOT!!! This may seem like a cliché but I'll say it anyway........if you need help or someone to talk to, please don't give up until you find it or someone. I truly want to say more, but as I said, I don't want to make this long. Now get out and enjoy life, it's a nice day outside.

Do two wrongs ever make a right?
What does true forgiveness mean?
Does anyone truly owe you?

Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop is
Life’s Journey
Eyes through dreams sometimes covered up by their surroundings
My activism voice
Sometimes a false reality
Reality
Rhythm that cannot be contained without movement
A voice to my community
Underestimated
A movement
Educational when applied through its true form
Chance
A tool that transforms nothing into something purposeful
Opportunity that may not be there in other ways
A swagger that could only be hip-hop
Is not everyone
A story as seen through its creators eyes
A contest
Light to darkness
A stance against the status quo
A gift not to be taken lightly
Art
Pencil to paper
Where the alphabet comes to life
Able to cross genres and leave a lasting impression that lasts a lifetime
Something that was thought to not last long
A line used to gain someone’s attention
Something that comes in many forms
N.W.A, LL.COOL J, Public Enemy, T.I, Common, Jay-Z, Biggie, Luda, Run-DMC, KRS-One, Special Ed, Lost Boys, Nas, Lil Wayne, Pac, Pun, Fat Joe, 50, Puff, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim
Also
The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Joe, R. Kelly, Maroon 5, Nickleback, One Republic, Cold Play, John Legend, Alicia Keys, James Brown, amongst many others
Setting the bar higher and higher
A dance, a vibe, a beat
You and I
Love
Hip-Hop

Elijah daddy loves you and needs you daily.

Home

Ah home. As I walk through the front door a sudden ah-ness takes hold. While not much is here it's still all mine. From the shoes I left at the door some weeks ago because they were wet from me returning from the car after searching for a cd I'd left on the seat. To the items left on the floor that I keep telling myself I pick that stuff up in the morning. Ah the stereo that seems to be calling out for me to turn on. Before going upstairs there's a brief stop in the kitchen where a box of lucky charms sits awaiting to be eaten for dinner. Yup dinner. Upstairs a camera clings to the door knob waiting the next adventure. Two pair of jeans hang from the closet door seemingly to say wear me. An iron sits in the corner waiting to press the issue. While the clothes in the corner cry for laundry day. 4 books grace the floor along with a school book. Ah home! The many little things that make it. Thank God for shelter! :)

Express Your Self

Expression is one's gift to those left with a touch of life left behind from the giver. So express yourself people. Live Live Live

Rest

You rested in my arms
I watched you close your eyes
A certain peace seemed to breather with you
Protected these arms carry you
Your comfort finds warmth with my soul
Released of all cares deeper you sink
Soft peddles of air escape your body
I reach to pull the cover over you to capture heat
You pull me even closer as if to say these arms are all I need
A gentle kiss I placed unto your head
To my joy a smile graces your face
Even through your dreams I am there
I pray that this never ends
Slowly our light between the blinds begin to dim
Rest my love
For tomorrow will provide a new day
So for now
Rest

My Name Is Jade

I know that, at cost a key of cocaine cost (at the time) approx. $10,000. I know that when stepping it down you’ll make more than double what you paid. I know that a pound of weed can be purchased for $900 -$1500 depending on the season and source. I know that you can double your money in time when breaking it down. I know what it feels like to have bullets flying through trees and the sound it makes when traveling through leaves. I know what the smell of crack smells like. I know what it feels like to be locked up. I know how easy it is to make a $1000 in a few hours. I know what it means to be “the one”. I know what it feels like to get what you want just by asking. I also know what it’s like to have the rug pulled from under you. I know what it’s like to walk away from power, respect and money. I know what it’s like to see someone murdered in front of you. I know what it’s like to be a Vice Lord for life. I know what I know because of life. It has taught me many things. In many ways it has hardened me in ways that cannot be changed. However with all that I’ve seen and lived through I still believe that God protected me through it all. I remind myself that things could be much different. Not only has He protected me and removed everything that was tyied to a certain life style, He is constantly renewing and replacing things that He knows I need. He is my supplier of everything. My name is Jade. While there are many stories I may write about, I in no way want them be glorified. These are just ways to express the way I try daily to submit to God’s purpose for my life. As I said, my name is Jade……….
To be continued…

?

You ever had that girl that you liked that you found yourself lose in her words? You ever had the seconds on a clock seem to tick by slowly while listening to her stories? You ever have to play catch up on her because somewhere in her words you just wanted to stop her with a smooth kiss that would leave her asking for more? You ever had that moment when the moment you saw her you knew everything would be fine on that day? You ever miss her when she’s away for a day? You ever want to help deliver her dreams to her? You ever just want say nothing and just while looking at her? You ever want her just because she’s who she is? You ever think about her smile when you’re alone? Or smile when thinking of her walk? Or maybe the way she hums to certain songs? Do you ever want to protect her from worries? Just thought I’d ask!

Today's Quote

"Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you."

-- Richard Bach

Black Females

I love my sisters. Lately I’ve come to the fact that I need them more than I realize. Everything about them is an art. From their curves to their feistiness it’s all about the black woman. She has nurturing qualities that only could come from her. She has a passion which words cannot describe. In her I find rest, love, peace, joy, happiness, covering, understanding, fruit, life, tenderness, and everything else not mentioned that I need. She can see straight through me and know when I need words or love. Her concerns are mine. Her vision is clear and straight forward. She is my gift that Is endless. I’ve come to look into them for so much. I’ve found that they are a vision of who I am and what I need. Their many shades brings beauty to many places. I guess what I’m trying to say is……To all my beautiful black females, I love all of you!!!

I Wonder

I wonder what it’d be like to brush against your skin. Or have my hand grace the small of your back. Or take your hand and lead you to dance. Or pull you close and whisper in your ear how beautiful you are. Or take a walk with you through the park and share stories between us. Or sit in silence and feel like we’ve just shared the world. Or be the protector of your everything. Or give you flowers to brighten your days even more. I was just thinking about those things.

You'll Say

I’d be faithful to you as long as you’re watching. I’d tell you, you’re a queen to your face but treat you like trash when you’re not around. I’d tell you I only have eyes for you, but when I’m out I seek to find who ever will give up the drawls. I’d give you flowers to show my love for you, yet I’ll also send flowers to the others as well. I’d say you’re the greatest, but I will always search for something better. I will spend time with you and make sure I leave enough time to spend with them as well. I will tell you you’re all I want and need, yet my search will continue to have more. I will say I’m not like those other people, but my actions will show we’re the same. I say don’t you see that I love you, and you’ll say…………………

I Enjoyed Life

I enjoyed my life here. I met a lot of wonderful people during my time. From the moment I came into the world I was embraced by many. Life’s lessons taught me that anything is possible if you would only believe. I appreciated everything that people did for me. I smiled, laughed, and even danced at times which brought me joy. I say these things because I want you to know that you too can have joy. You can have peace. You can have love. You can laugh. I left behind gifts for all of my father’s children. Seek them and you will find. There are many stories I’d like to share with you. You can find them in that book called The Holy Bible.