Page 2 <strong>October</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.blacklensnews.com The <strong>Black</strong> <strong>Lens</strong> Spokane ON MY MIND CSM THOMAS E WILLIAMS THOUGHTS FROM THE EDITOR I’m Out. I’m Proud. And I’m Sixty. Now What? -- Sky Diving. By Sandra Williams I was told many, many years ago by some of my older female friends that turning sixty marks a major milestone in a woman’s life. At sixty, a woman, particularly a <strong>Black</strong> woman, comes into her own, after a lifetime of taking care of the needs of others, her attention begins to turn inwards, towards herself and towards her own needs. Finally. So, look out. Well, I turned sixty last month. I had been planning for years to celebrate my 60th birthday by bringing together my closest women friends for a weekend retreat by the ocean. To spend a few powerful days sharing my life with the women who have had the greatest impact on me being who I have become. For years I had been looking forward to sitting at their feet and soaking up their wisdom, and being surrounded by the kind of love that only women can provide. But when I realized that COVID-19 was not going to be far enough in the rear view mirror for me to risk the health and well being of the people that I love the most in this world, I decided that it was time for a plan B. For the most part I see myself as a pretty brave person. I am willing to take risks that other people shy away from. I am willing to step into situations that lead other people to run in the opposite direction. I am willing to stand toe to toe and eyeball to eye ball with the things and the people that scare me the most. I’ve always been proud of that about myself. But my Achilles Heel, my kryptonite so to speak, is my fear of heights. Always has been. Tall buildings. Roller Coasters. Even driving across a bridge can leave my stomach in knots and me feeling like a frightened little child. I hate it! So what better way to mark my 60th birthday, to kick off the next chapter of my life and signify my focus shifting inwards, than to do a thing that terrifies me. Skydiving. When I was asked why I wanted to go skydiving, my answer was simple. Because I’m terrified. And I was. I can’t begin to describe the fear. Even now, sitting safely in my recliner chair, when I think of how it felt to slide over to the open door, turn to say good THE BLACK LENS NEWS The <strong>Black</strong> <strong>Lens</strong> is a community newspaper based in Spokane, WA. The paper is published on the first of each month, and it is focused on the news, events, issues, people and information important to Spokane’s African American Community and beyond. Contact Information: Square Peg Multimedia, 1312 N. Monroe St, #148, Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 795-1964, sandy@blacklensnews.com Subscriptions: Delivered monthly by mail - $45/year Submission/Advertising Deadline: 15th of the month Website: www.blacklensnews.com Facebook: blacklensnews Copyright (c) <strong>2021</strong> All Rights Reserved bye to my daughter, and then feel us launch into the air, free-falling towards the Earth, I still have to take a few deep breaths. I can’t believe I did it, but I did. Yay me! Thank you to my incredibly brave daughter, who is just as afraid of heights as I am, but walked through her fear to jump with me anyway. To my mom and my partner Patricia, and my friends, Theresa, Terrie, Colin and Dawn (who drove over from Seattle) who came to cheer us on. And a very special thank you to our Tandem jumpers at SkyDive West Plains in Ritzville, who were patient and kind and gentle, and who made a really scary thing a whole lot of fun too. If you’re interested in jumping, they’re great. Here’s their website: skydivewestplains.com and their phone number 509-838-JUMP (5867). Come on, if I can do it, anybody can do it! Now what? Well, I’m loving 60 so far and I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do for my 70th. Hmmm. Enjoy the photos!
The <strong>Black</strong> <strong>Lens</strong> Spokane www.blacklensnews.com <strong>October</strong> <strong>2021</strong> Page 3 Collaboration, honesty, and respect are the values that guide my work in the community and on City Council. I bring a different view, voice, and vision to Spokane, and Council is better off VOTE for it. BETSY WILKERSON S p o k a n e C i t y C o u n c i l Grandmother Business Owner Community Organizer Councilwoman Build Attainable Housing Evolve Public Safety Prioritize Small Businesses Firefighters Fuse WA Healthcare Workers SCAR Labor Council