ADAMS-BROWN REUNION NEWSLETTER - FINAL

ISSUE NO. 5

|

FINAL PRE-REUNION EDITION

DAY ONE IS FINALLY HERE! WELCOME TO SUMMERTIME CHI! We are so excited to host you in the city of wind for this, our 7th Bi-Annual Adams-Brown Family Reunion. All reunion updates are contained in this newsletter. See you later this evening at Get Re-Acquainted Nite!

WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE REUNION FUN! SIBLING SPOTLIGHT WEEKEND ITINERARY FAMILY CROSSWORD "UNCONDITIONAL" EPISODE 5 AND MORE!

The Hyatt Place Chicago-Lombard Directions from O'Hare Airport: Get on I-190 E from Exit 2B Follow I-294 S and I-88 W to Highland Ave in Lombard.

Take exit 134 from I-88 W Take IL-56 E/Butterfield Rd to your destination Directions from Midway Airport: Get on I-55 S in Stickney from S Cicero Ave Continue on I-55 S. Take I-294 N and I-88 W to Highland Ave in Lombard.

Take exit 134 from I-88 W Take IL-56 E/Butterfield Rd to your destination

Thursday, July 26th Get Re-Acquainted Night 4S794 Pinehurst Drive Naperville, IL 6pm - 10pm

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! Friday, July 27th T-Shirt Distribution The Hyatt Place Chicago/Lombard 340 Fountain Square Dr Lombard, IL 11am - 1pm

Friday, July 27th Dinner Banquet Drury Lane Banquets 100 Drury Ln Oakbrook Terrace, IL 6pm - Midnight

Saturday, July 28th DuSable Museum Tour and Six Flags Great America Outing Meet at Hyatt Place 9am

Sunday, July 29th Cookout Centennial Park Grand Pavillion 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Ct, Naperville, IL 60540 Noon - Dusk

ROSEMARY JOHNSON

Interview

Born January 14, 1950

Favorites

What does family magic mean to you?

Knowing that you have family that has your back through thick and thin. Sharing and caring for one another.

Color: Red Food: Italian Beef Group:The Emotions

What would you say is your role in the family as it relates to your siblings?

Babysitter, advisor, friend, a sounding board.

Legacy 3 Children: Corey Johnson, Sr., Pamela Johnson, VaShawn Johnson 9 Grandchildren

What is your first memory of big Mama Hattie?

Quiet, strong, on-nonsense. I didn’t know she could talk.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

4th of July and Christmas. All of the family having and sharing fun time and Daddy somehow pulling the day together.

What is your gift or talent and how did you discover it?

The cookout and again, everybody coming together.

12

13

48

BEVERLY YOUNG Spouse: Sherman Young Born July 21, 1965

Favorites

Color: Red Food: Fish, spaghetti, and cole slaw Song: Precious Lord

Legacy 5 Children: Maurice Hall, Tanisha Brown, Steven Hall, Brittany Ballentine, and Jessica Ballentine 10 Grandchildren

Interview

What does family magic mean to you?

Family Magic is having fun with your family. Going on trips and making memories. You have good and bad but I remember the good, those are the memories that last.

What would you say is your role in the family as it relates to your siblings?

I don’t’ know…lol…They don’t listen to me. I am the family’s intercessor. I hold the family up in prayer. They always call me or come get me to pray when times are hard. I try to keep everyone together.

What is your first memory of big Mama Hattie?

When I was 12, we went down south, I had never met her. When I first got there I thought she was so mean, turns out she was really sweet to us. We slept on an enclosed back porch on pallets. Her mama and Aunt Willie Mae made breakfast for us.

What inspires you most about your siblings?

They always encourage me to do better. They praise me when I’m doing well, which helps me to want to do more, especially Harrison “Kirk”.

12

13

48

What is your gift or talent and how did you discover it?

Taking care of people, elderly people. I make sure that they are alright. I was blessed to encourage, pray and have patients with them. I know how to make them comfortable.

LISA BROOKS Spouse: Ricky Brooks, Sr. Born March 9, 1960

Favorites

Color: Pink Food: Fried Chicken Song: Adore by Prince

Legacy 2 Children: Brianna Brooks and Ricky Brooks, Jr. 1 Grandchild

Interview What does family magic mean to you?

Making an effort to gather for whatever cause, having a wonderful time, sharing memories and laughter, and joy is in the air. Enjoying the moment and spending time together…priceless.

What is your role in the family?

Being the baby of the family, I’m not sure what role I play. Having older brothers and sisters it’s kind of hard to say. I have different relationships with everyone.

What is your first memory of Big Mama Hattie?

I didn’t spend much time with her. The only memory I have is visiting with Momma during the summer months.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

My fondest childhood memory is everyone would come over on Saturday, eat, watch Soul Train and Good Times. Momma would cook tuna, fries, and hamburgers. The best.

What is your favorite part of the reunion?

Seeing those I haven’t seen in a while.

12

13

48

Pillsbury Grands! Monkey Bread This is it! The classic monkey bread recipe, oozing with warm caramel and cinnamon. Monkey bread is irresistible!

Ingredients 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 cans (16.3 oz each) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers refrigerated Original biscuits 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, if desired 1/2 cup raisins, if desired 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 12 Popsicle Sticks (or skewers)

Directions Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 12-cup fluted tube pan with shortening or cooking spray. In large -storage plastic food bag, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon.

Separate dough into 16 biscuits; cut each into quarters. Shake in bag to coat. Arrange in pan, adding walnuts and raisins among the biscuit pieces.

In small bowl, mix brown sugar and butter; pour over biscuit pieces.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate; pull apart to serve. Serve warm.

Unconditional “Girl you’re crazy” my daddy said to me. He laughed, his smile seemed to be bright as the sun, his caramel skin was flawless and he had a glow. He was young and healthy, his hair was dark, like coal. He sat there with his legs crossed reading a newspaper. “What are you doing here?” I needed to know what was going on. I sat down at his feet as my dad began to explain.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

Clarity

“Ms. Adams!?” Zara’s roommate, Megan greeting me before I had a chance to answer the phone.

“Yes” “Zara missed finals and I haven’t heard from her!” I filed a missing person’s report because it’s not like her to miss finals.” The girl wept and continued “I’m sorry, she called me 2 days ago, but I missed her call. When I tried to call back the phone went to voicemail. I’ve been calling all day, every day and she still has not responded.”

My body went numb. Megan told me that Zara was dating a medical student named was Gary (no last name) from Morehouse. The last time Megan saw Zara, she was getting in his truck. She described him and his car but didn’t know the license plate. After getting a few more details, I ended the call and immediately called Tony. “Zara’s roommate says that she’s missing, Tony please come home.” I can’t take this.

I sat on the side of my bed in a daze. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. My baby was missing? This has to be a mistake. “GOD!” I yelled to the top of my lungs, my heart sank into my stomach. My voice squealed in anguish. I could not stop my tears that were flowing from my eyes. I became angry! My eyes were red, they burned, and the room became hot. “What are You doing? How could You do this? I pray, I go to church every Sunday! I’m there, I volunteering, greeting people huggin em’, telling them how good You are.” I yelled I picked up my multicolored Tiffany lamp and threw it at the wall. It ripped and knocked down the canvas painting that read my favorite scripture (Philippians 4:4‐7).

There was glass everywhere, but at this point I didn’t care. I continued to give God a piece of my mind. “What about bible study every Tuesday? Does that count for anything? I’m on the women’s board and attend the meeting every Wednesday. Thursday I’m helping the youth! I’m there Fridays! How could You?” I yelled and cried for so long that my throat was raw and my voice became hoarse. I laid across my bed, I was sweating my heart was racing; trying to control my emotion my body felt weak.

I felt a cool breeze and the smell of freshly cut grass, I sat up! I must have fallen asleep? I frowned as I looked around the unrecognizable garden. Wait, I thought what’s going on? I stood to my feet, the grass was cool under my bare foot. I knew I was dreaming because I would never leave the house without shoes. The flowers were immaculate, bright and colorful. There were roses, lilies and tulips (to name a few). I looked around in amazement at the perfectly trimmed green bushes and tall evergreen trees. I saw a man sitting on the bench in the distance, I walked toward him. My heart fluttered as I began to recognize him. It was my daddy, but he was... Oh God, OH GOD! I’m in the afterlife! I was so sad, that I...killed... myself?

“Jo, you know the Bible like the back of your hand. The reason that God has given you the wisdom to understand it the way that you do it so that you can take God’s word to His people and help them through their struggles. God has given you the power to speak things into existence until others I able to do it for themselves. You are in an intercessor for your family. Your hearts is cold and better. I know things have happened to you that were unfair. Why are you focused so focused on the past? People may have misused you, but you need to see God’s glory in it. Have you ever thought that those things had purpose? You didn’t go through it for you.

Have you ever thought that this situation a test of your faith? Zara will be fine God is looking for you to give Him the praise. Then you could tell everyone about the goodness of the Lord.

It is not your place to show God's people their flaws. Everyone in the family has insecurities and understand where they come up short, your job is to assist them in figuring now their purpose. You may not agree with the things that they have choose to do, but is not for you to judge. God has the power and glory in every situation. For God is the only one who could fix it.

God is the only one who can put things back together. God is the only one who could heal your heart. You must give Him all of the things that you cannot control and he will do the rest.” He placed the newspaper on the bench, and looked at me, his eyes were even brighter than his smile. He pointed at me as he continued.

“When you hear God speak to you do the work. I'm not saying that you won't be tempted to tell people what you think, in those times keep your mouth closed and you give Him praise because you're not who you used to be. You may not agree with everything that other people do but it's not for you to gossip. If there are things going on in your life that you don't like, it's up to you to change them. Stop disrespecting other people for making moves that you are afraid to make. Stop blaming other people for your choices. There's no reason to envy someone who may appear to be doing better because you don't know what happens behind doors.”

As my father scolded me for being a selfish, judgmental, hypocrite, I listened. I listened because my life depended on it. With tears in my eyes became hard for me to swallow. He went on. “This is a time were you need to get on your knees and pray with sincerity to God about your heart. This the time for you to ask for forgiveness for the things that you have done.

This is the time for you to change who you are and how you present yourself to others.”My dad stood from the park bench and took my hand, I stood in front of him, and then he embrace me so tight I could still smell his cologne. He told that I my latter days would be greater than my former days as long as I surrender to God completely whole heartedly.

Everyone travels life’s journey, we're all on the same team and there is no competition. The trick is success is figuring out your position on the team, it will help us to understand who we are. No one can do what you have been blessed to do. With that my dad walked away “Take your life back Josephine!” he whispered. Suddenly my phone rang, WHOOO! My felt my heart jump out of my chest! I snatched the phone off the hook. “Hello” “This is Dr. Tiffany McCannon, I’m the dean of student at Spelman. I spoke with Megan, she told me that she believes Zara is missing. We’re doing everything in our power to locate her.” I thanked the dean for her phone call and let her know that I was going to travel there tonight.

I was amazed by what my father said. I hadn’t realized how negative I had been. I slid on the floor to my knees and began to pray “Cleanse me oh God...”

Let's celebrate the lives and legacies of our elders - some here physically, but all with us in spirit.

As we come together during the events over the coming days, let us remember that their lives, love, and legacy are why we work and sacrice to make this happen.

Let us never forget our beginnings, celebrate todays, and prepare for our tomorrow.

Let our legacies reflect what we have been taught, yet elevate the next generation beyond what we have accomplished.

Let us define this new legacy in love and tradition.

It's reunion time, y'all!

Submit all "Celebrations" entries to: The HFA Newsletter Committee hfanewsletter@gmail.com We hope you have thoroughly enjoyed the final pre-reunion installment of the The Magic Monthly.

If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out to the HFA Newsletter Committee. hfanewsletter@gmail.com HFA Newsletter Committee Yolanda Robinson - Tierra Muhammad Antonio Hall - Marisa Dickson - Carla Curry