Words from my brother of another mother

Let me tell you about my friend Bwana. We went to high school together and good ol' Laurel High. We were there when busing kids from one part of the PG County to another in achieve racial balance was all the rage. We were in what was called the "University High School" program (UHS). Supposedly, UHS was supposed to better prepare us all for college. Whether that's true or not, I don't know. What I do know, is that because of UHS I got to meet lots of really cool kids that I wouldn't have otherwise had exposure to, and for that, I'm grateful.

I'm not sure if Bwana and I were in much of the same classes. I want to say we had 10th grade English with Mrs. Lietch, but I'm just not sure. And I think he played football... for some reason I can picture him in a Spartan football uniform running out to the field. I was a cheerleader for a couple of years, so you'd think I'd remember the guys on the team. Can I just blame my lack of certainty on my ADD brain that even then had a hard time paying attention to all sorts of things?

What I do remember of him is that he was tall and mysterious. He was one of the cool boys who would make eye contact and nod his head in acknowledgment of the people he knew as he walked down the hall. He was quiet most of the time, probably because he was always thinking about something, processing whatever was going on around him. He stuck with his crowd and I stuck with mine (although, I don't think I actually had a crowd, but that's a completely different subject for another post).

Through the power of Facebook, I've come across many of the people who shared my years at Laurel. Some are now my friends. Bwana is one of the people via FB's People You May Know tool. My motivation for friending him stems from my reunion planning involvement. The easier it is to contact classmates, the easier it is to plan a reunion. But curiosity got the better of me one day and I started checking out his profile. Turns out he's a fantastic photographer. I started IMing him about his business, and we've had some fun conversations since.

Last week, he wrote a note to some of his lady friends. I loved what he had to say, and wanted to share it with the masses. He's a neat person. I didn't really know him in high school. But, I'm glad I get another chance to know him now. Here is what he had to say, and something I think is worth sharing to a larger audience.

There are very few women who understand the minds of men. I purposely say men and not a man because even fewer of you have ever met a MAN but that's another topic. When you have never experienced the real thing, it is almost impossible to detect a fake. Having never owned a real coach bag, is it wise to purchase one solely based on a claim from the seller guaranteeing its authenticity? If I faced that situation, I imagine that I would seek the wisdom of someone who had knowledge of what an authentic Coach bag looked like.

One of my sisters purchased a coach bag unsure of its authenticity and was then disappointed when its lack of quality construction and materials led to a short life span and subsequent embarrassment. Are you lost? I am merely using the impostor handbag as a substitute for the boys among us that are preying on woman desperately seeking MEN to LOVE but really have no idea what either word truly looks or feels like.

Ladies, you do have resources. Please use them. I have been a big and little brother to many of you and nothing saddens me more than seeing you hurt and mislead when it could have been avoided.

Specific Clarification:
Your virtue has value!
it is irreplaceable for the mentally, physically, spiritually and socially healthy women.

It is coveted by men and boys.

It is priceless to your husband.

The word booty has been used throughout history to describe treasure!!
Think about it.....

I love you all!

Your Brother,
Bwana