4.17.03
RETURNING THE LOVE - A message from the "JOI" in our lives

Peace and Love to my Skate Family:

I would like to take this time to thank God for each and every one of you for all the Love and Support that has been and still is being showed to me in a time that Love and Support is much needed. There are so many people that I need to say a special thanks to and I know I will forgot some of you, but charge it to my head and not my heart.

Johnny - thanks for being my partner and passing along the information to the skaters. You are number 1 and you know that.
NSC Freestyle Rollers - Thanks for all of the love and support that you guys have showed and for the special card.
Thanks Kim for the phone calls and sorry about the tears.
Vanessa P. -Thanks for allllllll of the calls and a special thanks for listening to me
Chris "aka heavy"- what can I say about you. I thank you for checking up on me weekly. Your calls mean so much to me. See you soon.

I want to thank all of you for the cards:
Janice - your words touched me in a special way. Don't be surprised if you get a call for me at 3:00 am.
Michele (my daughter in NY) - every time I read your card, it bring tears to my eyes. Thank you for all of your support

The e-mails that I received:
Jody - the Hug is yours.
Stacey - Your "Auntie Joi" is doing fine.
Sugarbearshorty - From my heart to Yours, I love you also.
Darius - we must meet again. Yours words were so poetic and moving.
Tyrone - thanks for the Psalms 16:6.
Tony - people talked about those collard greens at the service. Yes, they will be missed.
Venessa from Virginia- I don't know what to say about your e-mail except Thank You. I know, that you know how I feel. We will keep in touch, please?

There was so many and I want you all to know that I printed them and I have read them over and over. There were so many special ones, but the ones that touched me the most was the ones that came from people that don't even know me. Wow!!

The poems:
Thanks Kim M. for the poem that you wrote for me and my Mom. I plan to frame it.
Nikki, the poem you sent was one of the poems that was read at my Mom's Memorial Service. How could you have known? Much love to both of you ladies.
Desi, Thank you for the Love, Support and Respect that you showed me. Thanks for also forwarding the e-mails to me.

And now I must take this time to Thank all the attendees at the NSC skate party. Big Bob, what a brother. I have already expressed my love and thanks to you. I hope you are feeling better at this time. Take care of yourself. Skaters are still calling me and talking about the Silent Prayer. These words from so many skaters stick in my mind- "you could hear a pin drop," " if a strand of hair had fell, you would have heard it hit the floor," "done with such class," " no one was talking," "you could hear the birds chirping," " you were given so much respect"...

I want to thank all of you for the Love, Support and Respect that has been showed to me and my family.Terrance and Darrell from Detroit-thank you guys for being with me that day of the Memorial Service. Darrell you know you were the biggest surprise-thanks Terrance for bring him.

Also thanks to the skaters that wanted to attend, and couldn't make it. Your thoughts and love was felt. My Mom and I had a special relationship. From the time I left Detroit, back in 1988, we would talk weekly. When my Mom told me that the Doctors had given her only 6-8 months to live, we talked DAILY. During her illness, I made sure that I visited my Mom at least once a month, and some times twice a month. When she got sick and became bed ridden for16 days, I was there 14 of them. I thank God because my Mom did not suffer, she just slept her self right into Heaven. The second day that she was in the hospital, my Mom looked at me and said" If you could give me 2 years of your life so that I could stay here a little longer, I know that you would do it." My Mom let me know that she knew how much I loved her and I will forever be at peace.

Love your Mother while she is here and let her know that you love her. I have NO regrets because I now know that I was a good Daughter to my Mom.

Peace and Love to all and thanks again.
See you soon. Joi

4.08.03
GETTING THE ROLL-AROUND IN NORTH CAROLINA

Hi Desi,

Reading the articles in skate groove and checking out the jam sessions make me want to skate every weekend. I'm in North Carolina and have been to every skating rink on the east coast that worth going to. Goldsboro is a definite no because management will not let you get in your groove. If you draw a crowd they'll tell you to stop doing what you are doing. Greenville is a big joke. The management caters to small children and will not let you skate in the middle or on the sides of the floor. You have to go slow all the time because it's like a baby sitting service. But if you are a female and greets the manager just right you'll get in for free. Wilmington, New Bern, Morehead, Washington, are all for Kids. You have to catch Rock Mount just right to get a good roll on. The best place to go and really have a good time is in Kinston on Sat. night and Garner on Sun. night. In Kinston the music is good and the manager is cool. There are many kids but you can skate anywhere and do whatever you want. I used to travel to Raleigh on sunday nights. What happened. If anyone could tell me Holla back. I want to skate where I can enjoy myself and see other good skaters in N.C. Wherever there is a jam, we'll be there to support you guys.

Thank You
KING
pbkprince@yahoo.com

3.29.03
PROUD MOTHER

Hello, this is Nikki's Mom. I would like to say I am very proud of you Nikki, as my Daughter and a Marketing Manager. I also would like to give you and the entire staff/members who made this site possible an outstanding hand clap. This site is really outstanding and positive. Keep up the good work. Remember this First and most always keep GOD in everything you do.

Deborah Bowens

3.5.03
POLITICS OR PROPAGANDA?

Tyrone (the original skataholic) Brunson
E. Orange, New Jersey
skatinzindablood@aol.com

Greetings all, Peace and Prosperity in the New Year!!

I've signed on to propose a challenge to all of our skate viewers and readers. Politics or Propaganda??? For 9 years I've participated in various skate parties and enjoyed myself either immensely or slightly. Spending upwards of six or seven hundred dollars in doing so, just to enjoy the comradarie of friends and colleagues, as well as countless people who come out to find out what kind of weekend it would be to hang out with the so-called "old-heads". Countless times we've heard some say they've had a ball, others spewing vulgarities at the name of some of the events. My point is; all of the parties are seemingly taking on the same meaning: IT WAS NOTHING SPECIAL!! How is it that some places like Detroit and North Carolina can roll of the tongues as "spectacular events" and the rest, oh well some more money down the drain. Ladies and gentleman I still have the same old adage, when I invite a guest to my home and I'll sleep on the couch in order for them to stay in the bedroom...

My position is a challenge for all of the host and coordinators to take a hard look at all of the people who are coming now and look back and the numbers you once had. That in itself should be a wake-up call. The skating clubs are are provoking us to take up colors, where one has to choose sides and be selective as to what events we should attend. As with all promotions, surveys should be sent out prior to the event in order to bring out the best in the events to come. We already have the vehicles (skategroove.com rollerskate.net just to name a few.) Forget about all the dignitaries and celebrities for a minute, but just remember who was there with you in the beginning, "The True Skater." Just ask the mature in the crowd whether it's Politics or Propaganda!!!!! Now for all those who choose to act before reading, this is not a negative response to any, but a request to many. In 2003 let's put forth a better effort in order for those who come from near and far, traveling in planes, driving, putting together bus trips in order to accomplish one mission; TO ROLLERSKATE TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF. Some don't really understand the power that we generate we come together as ONE! Speaking UP!

Tyrone (the original skataholic) Brunson

3.12.03

IT'S DEEP, ISN'T IT?
Karen "AKA" sugarbearshorty "AKA" Addictive
Suffolk Va
sugarbearshorty@blackvoices.com

"Woo, Woo" to Mr. Darius "WindyCity Breez" Stroud of the "JB Elite" The Adrenalin Report by Darius Was on Point Let me say it one more time woo, woo, D - B R E E Z, man you know that you hit the spot with this one!~ My heart has been touched with truth and feeling and emotions and love all at the same time. Tell me how do you do what you do? SkateGroove you could not have picked a better skater and or person to write this piece, great job!~ I read this article three times that's how much I was touched by it, people have you ever been somewhere and something took place and you knew that it was time to leave and you also knew that the next time someone asked you to go to that place again that you would not.......why is that, is it because you value self respect and would not want your name associated with whatever or is it because you value what others think about what they see and believe? Deep isn't it!

Deep that is where this article took me deep within, I had to ask myself sugarbearshorty how will People remember me, and the answer was I don't know, but what I do know is how I want to be remembered and that is as a good skater who was a good person to know. And how will I remember Mr. Darius "WindyCity Breez" As the Man who was a good skater and a very good person to know, he kept it real and true, if he knew you and when he didn't he always gives the benefit of the doubt! And No he is not gone and I hope I won't have to be remembering him no time soon:-)

I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of the most precious substance known to man and that is "LIFE". I enjoy it to the fullest; I'm addicted to it. That is why I believe in Love, when I say that, I am saying that yes I love myself, in order for me to love all things I had to 1st learn to love myself, I am saying this for all skaters to take heed to Darius article learn to love yourself 1st and you surely will be able to love all man kind, we are all family as the man said and with that comes love for my brothers and sisters each and every one of you; Lets get it together and keep skating alive...use these parties for "UNITY". No more no less lets stop all the mess!!!!

The Beatles said you can't buy it. The Commodores called it "sweet." The Bible says God is it, and if I recall someone back in the '70s said they looked for it in all the wrong places and in all the wrong faces. No matter-it's still the same thing-Love. Ok yes I am telling my age:-)

Darius; great job you just keep on telling it like it is you get mad props from me and yes much love, much respect and yes you know I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt! By the way I know that you are a connoisseur of Life and yes you go boy and make sure that you enjoy it to the fullest!!

God bless!!
And much Love

We are now accepting letters and feedback articles posted on Mind, Body & Roll. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to express them. Your letters will be reviewed, and posted in our magazine.

You can submit your letters by sending e-mail to Desi@SkateGroove.com.