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	<title>Riehl Life: Village Wisdom for the 21st Century &#187; Charles Hawkins</title>
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	<link>http://www.riehlife.com</link>
	<description>Creating connections through the arts and across cultures</description>
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		<title>Happy Valentine&#8217;s Day, Black History Month!</title>
		<link>http://www.riehlife.com/2008/02/14/happy-valentines-day-black-history-month/</link>
		<comments>http://www.riehlife.com/2008/02/14/happy-valentines-day-black-history-month/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:11:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>riehlife</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[black history month]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carlos Jenkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charles Hawkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Howard Denson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linda Jones Hawkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meet Me in St. Louis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sylvia Jenkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[valentine's day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vickie Denson]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[As I've met wonderful African American couples during the months since I've moved from Northern Califronia to St. Louis, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to three couples and their love stories today...to celebrate the confluence of Valentine's Day in the Middle of Black History Month. You'll meet: --Linda Jones Hawkins and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As I've met wonderful African American couples during the months since I've moved from Northern Califronia to St. Louis, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to three couples and their love stories today...to celebrate the confluence of Valentine's Day in the Middle of Black History Month.</p>
<p>You'll meet:</p>
<p>--Linda Jones Hawkins and Charles Hawkins</p>
<p>--Sylvia and Carlos Jenkins</p>
<p>--Vickie and Howard Denson.</p>
<p>I know your gonna enjoy this special spread!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Linda Jones Hawkins and Charles Hawkins&#8217; cuddled prayers makes the couple&#8230;and &#8220;Post Pinnacle,&#8221; a poem by Linda Jones Hawkins</title>
		<link>http://www.riehlife.com/2008/02/14/linda-jones-hawkins-and-charles-hawkins-cuddled-prayers-makes-the-coupleand-post-pinnacle-a-poem-by-linda-jones-hawkins/</link>
		<comments>http://www.riehlife.com/2008/02/14/linda-jones-hawkins-and-charles-hawkins-cuddled-prayers-makes-the-coupleand-post-pinnacle-a-poem-by-linda-jones-hawkins/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:03:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>riehlife</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[African American]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[artist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[black history month]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charles Hawkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linda Jones Hawkins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[love story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meet Me in St. Louis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[romance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. Louis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[valentine's day]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.riehlife.com/2008/02/14/linda-jones-hawkins-and-charles-hawkins-cuddled-prayers-makes-the-coupleand-post-pinnacle-a-poem-by-linda-jones-hawkins/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I met Linda Jones Hawkins and Charles Hawkins at the 2007 Kwanzaa celebration in St. Louis. Linda showed me her beautiful poems and paintings, while Charles stood by, beaming. They shared their love story with me (Linda speaking): "And the story goes… She found a handsome King and he found a beautiful queen, while playing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I met Linda Jones Hawkins and Charles Hawkins at the 2007 Kwanzaa celebration in St. Louis. Linda showed me her beautiful poems and paintings, while Charles stood by, beaming. They shared their love story with me (Linda speaking):</p>
<p>"And the story goes… She found a handsome King and he found a beautiful queen, while playing in the pool at Bally's on a cold winter day.</p>
<p><a href='http://www.riehlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/charles.jpg' title='Charles Hawkins'><img src='http://www.riehlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/charles.jpg' alt='Charles Hawkins' /></a><a href='http://www.riehlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/linda.jpg' title='Linda Jones Hawkins'><img src='http://www.riehlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/linda.jpg' alt='Linda Jones Hawkins' /></a></p>
<p>"At first sight their eyes locked and their hearts skipped a beat. Now they are embarking on a new life together as one. Both are favored in God's army and they are committed to His work and each other. They prayed and waited for the right moment and God provided the perfect<br />
setting and time. Charles' sweet smile and spirit provided a strong and supportive bridge for Linda's kind ways and loving heart.</p>
<p>"Soon they were laughing and giggling and enjoying special dates and romantic moments. You can find them splashing in the pool and working out with their instructor, Keith, and many supportive friends.</p>
<p>"People are talking about this starry-eyed twosome that looks like chocolate cherubs on a cake.  They have many days to look forward to and are counting on family and friends to share in this joyful moment. Your prayers and well-wishes are welcomed as they begin the New Year<br />
as one!"</p>
<p>Here is Linda's poem...that says so much.</p>
<p><strong>Post Pinnacle</strong><br />
by Linda Jones Hawkins<br />
© January 2008</p>
<p>I now have love<br />
Tucked sweetly on my pillowslip<br />
It enfolds me<br />
It comforts me<br />
It sustains me<br />
And it delights me,<br />
I arise knowing my journey<br />
Has been stretched a bit more<br />
To accommodate his girth and gentle<br />
Kind of loving.</p>
<p>I now move through and<br />
Navigate through known and unknown<br />
Love tunnels that were once buried<br />
Deep in my soul.<br />
Might I say the moments have been<br />
Sweetened and my days warmed<br />
By the sun and my nights<br />
Encapsulated in cuddled prayers<br />
And staccato kisses.</p>
<p>I now rock in love’s cradle<br />
While his arm pushes me forward to<br />
Grasp the next challenge and life’s<br />
Daily fare.<br />
We meet at the bridge and in ordered steps<br />
Become one in so many ways.<br />
I taste his sweat<br />
He caresses my tears<br />
I cheer his jokes<br />
He buffers my thoughts and conversations<br />
I tie his words in a knot<br />
And together we toddle along to our next<br />
Destination<br />
Invitation and<br />
Now permanent habitation<br />
Settled in each others hearts<br />
And spreading merriment<br />
And good cheer on to<br />
Those who see the twinkle in our<br />
Wrinkles.</p>
<p>Softly<br />
Precisely<br />
Unequivocally<br />
And passionately<br />
I embrace my pillow talk kind of love<br />
I’ decked out in rose petal memories and<br />
I look forward to never ending fireworks<br />
Erupting at my door step.</p>
<p>"It has been one year and one month and we are still counting the days and enjoying our moments. You can find the starry-eyed twosome doing just about anything. Visiting friends, cheering up the sick and laughing and splashing at Bally's pool. We have been on a fast journey of getting to know and love each other more. We are not always sure of the reason why fate moved us to this place, but we are coasting on the ride. We are devoted to each other and we are hoping that folks see the 'twinkle in our wrinkles.'  Be blessed, Linda and Charles."</p>
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