African American

to Frankie and Maze how fortunate I was to have a mentor in my youth a lady who babysat and reared a bunch of kids in a DC neighborhood that included Beverly and, of course, Marvin Gaye.

I can't even type this as I remember without shaking my mentor Cleo, a Virginia Slims cigarette smoking older lady who was at that time my age now. She was a a lab tech back in the day after being a stay at home mom who was just naturally selected to mind all neighborhood kids after school simply because she was there for her own children.

Gawd, I can't believe this OP! because she was there years later in the lab for me/us for what's now known as STEM.

Cleo was a pioneer. Smart as a whip who decided to pursue her love for science, after her last wards - Gaye and the younger Beverly included, had grown up and made a name for themselves. I remember my first day in the lab. Cleo walked right up to me and said, "I'm so Happy to see you!" I didn't fully understand what she meant but that phrase became mine as I later welcomed other PoC in laboratories and gave a silent Thank you to Cleo in my heart.

Twice, once when Marvin came home she was bursting that he called to tell her of his arrival date. And another time when Frankie called to say the same. Of course, me and my other PoC girls were like, "Please, we got to come." Cleo was like, "I can't. He'd be mobbed. He just wants some peace." And we understood. But lots of photos were to come.

Marvin was global but Frankie was like our secret. There was just no difference for me, because of Cleo, between the two. She was so proud that "My Marvin" helped Frankie along the way. That sense of community was one of my imprints.

Please enjoy my favorite, Happy Feelings, a mainstay in my life that when I remember in the pits of despondency Joy & Pain is a choice.

Thanks for posting, brush, I can't tell you how much joy I'm sending you right now for this opportunity to share. Gratitude to spread it all over the world from deep in my soul-.