On Monday, June 23, 1975, God allowed you to birth your second daughter at 4:19 pm. I am pretty sure you weren’t expecting this daughter would be the loud mouth, bossy, attitudinal, hard on her self and totally into boys but very smart girl that she was, maybe still is as a woman. 😂 Especially since your first daughter was pretty much totally opposite and an angel. (No seriously my sister is and always has been an angel to all of us, Love my Big Sis) But He did give you that little handful of a daughter! I am so sorry not sorry for you! 😆
But Mom, today on your birthday, I just wanted to write you a letter!
This year marks your 75th year that you have graced this earth. Even though actually 89% of the time most of us think of you as a 57 year old because you look that young and you act younger. You are one of the only 75 year old that I know has social media accounts like twitter and knows how to use the social media accounts like those younger folks. Then knows how to work most aspects of technology like the smart phones and is usually the one showing your friends how to work it. Plus has your own Zoom account that you work like a pro, running professional meetings on the daily! I have to call you to set up zoom meetings for me!
God knew that I needed YOU to be my mom!
As a little girl, of course, I thought that you were the strictest and mean at times Mom ever! Always making me stay in church 6 days out of the week (hahaha) and not only being in church but living your life as a walking Bible and working hard to instill that same trait in all those that came around you. But, also as a little girl I knew that I had some huge stilettos to fill. 👠
Most don’t know but we had a tough patch once Dad left and you were my first up close experience of a Boss, a Super Woman, Black Girl Magic! You dusted your dress off and combed your hair, put your make up on and conquered all the huge mountains and giants that were before you! You slayed them all and most through prayer and courage!
If you all don’t know, my siblings and I went to the same elementary school in which my Mom was one of the two first grade teachers. But she made sure none of us were in her class on purpose. Well except my younger brother, who for some crazy reason insisted on being in her class. I am still not totally sure why he did that but when you meet him you can ask him more on that story! 😝 Then later as we grew older, she become a principal at a neighboring elementary school. Then by the time I was in high school she was at the district level running things! Needless to say, we never got a way with anything because we were Ms. Lyte’s children! In addition, the expectations of us were high.
But, Mom, as I grew older and matured, I started to go from being mad at how strict you were to becoming proud of you and of being your daughter. I would always brag about you and your accomplishments. I have a saying that I know who my mother is so sometimes when I want to act a certain way or say something I have to remember who I belong to in addition to God, which is Vivian or VJ!
Then, Mom, when God did that thing that he does and allowed me to have my first child, it really clicked for me! I really appreciated all of those hard lessons that you taught me. It put things in real life perspectives. All those times, Tedra and I called you to ask your advice or the times you were just there to help and pray us though. Technically you are still doing that! Hahaha
Mom I am still learning from you and that is such a beautiful thing! You continue to be available for us and are the true matriarch of our family.
Y’all, my Mom comes from a pretty large family where she had 6 siblings. She had 4 older brothers and 2 younger sisters. She also had 2 first cousins who were raised as her siblings. Then of course she has so many nieces and nephews, etc. To this day, Mom still keeps up with everyone and encourages us all to keep in touch. I swear her prayers are so long because she prays for all that she comes in contact with constantly.
Then, my siblings and I have always had to share Mom. But she is so good about sharing her love, wisdom and prayers that none of us have ever been jealous of her extended family and friends because we still were able to get all that we needed too. All that come in contact with her call her Sister, Aunt, Ms. Lyte, Mrs. Johnson, Sister Lyte/Johnson or sorority sister. But most call her Mom or Moma regardless to the true relationship. Which is a testament to her character. We have been sharing her all of our lives and it has been a blessing even to us, her children!
These last 5 plus years, her latest passion has been in politics. (She has always been into it due to my Granddad who played a large part- now she has just made it her new pass time!) Granted she has been retired since the age 55.
But she is into her Democratic women and Democratic Party as if it was her job! She loves mentoring young women to be able to take over the reigns when as she says, she is too old or leaves this earth to continue the fight. She loves educating and helping people to see other perspectives and is always fighting for equality for all Humans!
But I have this inside joke with her and the family because every year she says she is going to step down and just enjoy her Grands and Greatgrand! However, I think this is year 3 and she keeps getting appointed from different committees, to lead and even now at the state level!
Trust the trust though, she ALWAYS makes times for each one of her 10 grands and now her great grand and all other family and friends whenever they want or she needs to!
Mom, you are one of the few people that is so honest and real but all of us who know your heart know that it always comes from a place of love.
You know I always, call you and say ‘Mom, I need you to pray about this because you know you have a direct line to God’ and then she says Kaevon you do too you just have to listen and believe.
Mom, this letter today is from me and all others who know and love you. We want to first tell God thank you for gracing us with your presence all these years. Then for your never ending love for us, your endless time, prayers, your open heart, your awesome cooking and baking (Momma V’s Cakes - hit me up if you want to place an order) and your giving spirit! You never not take a call from anyone in need and never tell someone that you are unavailable. You may have to ask for a different time but you never say no!
I just wanted to honor you today, on your birthday with giving you your roses while you could still read them and not wait until they were in an obituary!
We love you so much Mommy and are so proud of you!
Happy Birthday!!! 🎉🎁🎂
Everyone please join me in wishing Mom a happy birthday! If you have her # please text or call her today!
With love always,
Your Girl, K. Lyte!
All professional pictures by: Spear Me Pictures www.spearmepictures.com
Professional Makeup by: Touched by Whitney TD @touchedbywhitneytd on Instagram
Professionally Styled photos by: Jon Taylorr and Rose @jontaylorrandrose on Instagram