On Saturday, I had the privilege, honor and pleasure of sharing my day with Singer Natalie Cole. She and I were guest speakers at this year’s Women’s Empowerment Expo in Raleigh, NC.
The day started with a breakfast, where she mingled with other speakers and sponsors of the event. The baby boomer diva said she was surprised at being invited to “speak.” She thought her agent may have gotten the message wrong. She laughed and said she asked him, “Are you sure they don’t want me to sing?” Natalie was invited by Radio One and its billionaire baby boomer diva Cathy Hughes who, by the way, was also at the Expo. I took the opportunity to give each of them a copy of my book “Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age.”
Natalie looked absolutely stunning as she graced the stage in her two-piece fuschia suit. The sold-out crowd listened intently as Nat King Cole’s little princess talked about every woman’s favorite AND least favorite subject: men. We all have, what Natalie called, “a stupid gene” when it comes making choices about the type of man we want to spend the rest of our lives with. The baby boomer diva pointed to her own life as an example of how the stupid choices she made led to an abusive and controlling husband. She shared the fact that she stayed in the marriage longer than she should have because she didn’t think she could ever find anyone else who would love her. Imagine, someone as beautiful and talented as she is saying something like that?
She was straight-forward and candid about her longing to find someone like her father but ended up with people who were more like her mother—a mother with whom she never got along with very well. Those bad choices, she said, also led her to drugs and alcohol. But on Saturday, she stood proudly and proclaimed she has been in recovery for several years.
Natalie told the predominately female audience not to be anxious to find the right man by a certain age. She said until he comes, they should work on getting themselves together spiritually and physically and to take time to focus on the One who will always love them better than anyone else ever could. Natalie says her faith and connection to God has given her an inner peace to know that she doesn’t necessarily need a man to complete her.
Although she wasn’t asked to sing, the sexy songstress blessed the crowd with a song she said was one of her favorite by Des’ree:
Listen as your day unfolds Challenge what the future holds Try and keep your head up to the sky Lovers, they may cause you tears Go ahead release your fears Stand up and be counted Don't be ashamed to cry You gotta be You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm You gotta stay together All I know, all I know, love will save the day…
Upon completion, she received a standing ovation!!!
A hard act to follow no doubt but just from reading this story I know you were up to the challenge of sharing. Read your take on Imus and it inspired me to write mine. I too don't unerstand the surprise of some people and to think he makes $10 mil a year. Racism is a thriving industry but forgive me I rant. Love your work. <Mikii>
Oh wow I enjoyed this so much...wow! Natalie Cole, how thrilling was that! And what an act to follow, huh! Enjoyed this very much dear friend, as always a pleasure to stop by and read your work!
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling
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