See that young lady standing second from the left? That’s my mom. I’m far from the only person who really loves Mom, even being her only child. You probably can tell who the super-cool dude is in the middle. He basically played the role of Dad in her life, since my maternal grandfather decided not to stay around for her birth. But despite his absence, there’s Sidney Poitier, showing up at Middle Tennessee State University when she was a college student, for the ceremony when Mom became a charter member of MTSU’s chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mom had surgery last week. My stepdad has had a lot of medical procedures since last January. As you know, the world is on fire. It’s been quite a time. Some of y’all know I’ve been not only working very hard over the past few years but also trying to make sure — along with an amazing array of family members, friends, and her former students — that they’re OK. It has been everything but easy. IYKYK. Still, nothing is or will ever be as important as her. Big Sid knew it. My grandmother and great-grandmother knew it. All my “cousins” who Mom not only fed knowledge of what community and urban planning requires, but also literally fed with all the extra helpings of food she cooked several times a week... They know. And I can’t thank them enough for loving her like blood brothers and sisters. I owe everything to my mom. I just wanted to say that. She’s special. And by the way, if you saw that U.S. News story about Huntsville being the “Best Place to Live for 2022-23” in America... she taught 7 people who worked in city planning, and has consulted for decades. Everything good that has happened came through her. Long live Connie. She’s better than she was last week, but if you know and love her like I do, just know she’ll be good soon, and she appreciates every call, text and favor you’ve provided. And I can’t thank y’all enough. ❤️