On a Saturday morning, while sitting in a Natchez, Mississippi, nail salon waiting for a pedicure, Lana Brown, eagerly anticipated the simple blessing awaiting her and was moved to write this poem. The title is motivated by her mother, Leonia Bradley, who took a seat on the throne of ancestors in July 2021. Mrs. Bradley believed firmly in verbalizing gratitude for all acts of kindness bestowed upon her, frequently using the expression, "Thank You Ever So Much".
Brown is a graduate of Alcorn State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Communications; a Master of Arts in Secondary English Education; and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education with a Concentration in Reading and Gifted Education. She also holds a Specialist in Education degree in Psychometry from Jackson State University. An instructor in gifted education with the Natchez Adams School District, Brown was selected by the Mississippi Department of Education to be a member of the ELA/Literacy High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Review Team in the fall of 2020.
"Thank You Ever So Much"
For the air I breathe
And the blessings that I receive
In my sinful state of being
For the opening of my eyes
To enjoy beautiful landscapes,
Precious faces, foreign places,
Although I am cursed
For sun that rises
Shining on me, lighting my path, warming my skin,
reminding me each day is new
With You
Because of the promises
that You keep
Because of Your Son
Who You watched die
Dying for generations of sinners
infinite numbers of sins
For a wretch like me
Abundantly grateful
state of mind
Lottery winnings, tax refunds, casino winnings, heir to millions
Billions of dollars
No amount of pesos
Ever amounting to
Calvary
A last stand
The Supreme Sacrifice
never to be repeated
A Showdown with the devil
The Gift that never stops Giving
Whew!
Thank You Ever So Much
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