From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

THANK YOU TO MY FRIENDS -- my CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE.

Today is a day of very conflicting emotions. Happiness for the launch of my daughter's 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, and the final rites for my best friend, Yvette Rene Mills.

As I prepare to move through this day, I am thankful that God has once again smiled on me and allowed me to wake up among the living.

Another great even occurring in my life today is that a woman I have never met is in Maryland and she and I are planning to meet for the first time, not on businesses, but to confirm a friendship that we've started online. Not sure of her schedule yet, but I am sure that I plan to meet her while she is in Maryland, and to begin the journey of friendship.

Friendships and relationship are important. My Mother once told me that if you had ONE real friend in this lifetime, you would be richer than words could ever express. But if you had TWO, there would be no money on earth as valuable.

I can say today without hesitation, I have at least four friends (Jesse Moore, Yvette Rene Mills, Washington Armstrong, III, and Patricia D. Fenn) that have been my CLOSE and PERSONAL friends for more than four decades. MY TRUE BFFs through thick and thin. They have been my sisters and brother. They have walked with me a mile in my shoes. They have seen my hurt and my pain. They have gone with me through my divorce, raising of my children, difficult times on the job, and through my good times. They have been there when I called late at night.

Today a second one of my BFF's will be laid to rest, and I am feeling kind of torn, kind of worried about what lies ahead, and on our circle being so fractured. Jesse Moore would say "hang in there Lynn, I got your back and you know it." Yvette would say, "Cut, you have always been a woose when it comes to death and funerals, so don't show up at my funeral to prove your friendship on my account. I know how you are!"

My children believe that I have acquired some of the strangest people on earth to include in my inner circle, and I think they are right. They have got to be strange to put up with a character like me. I am honored to be called their friends. My circle of influence hold some other close friends, Martha, Adrienne, Marlene, Diane and now Ida. I hope and pray that as the year come and go, they too will become my new BFFs...at least one or two of them.

Patricia D. Fenn, and Washington Armstrong, III are taking this walk with me. They have every intention of standing by my side. To attend the Breakfast this morning, and the wake and funeral later on, IF I choose to go. OR they are prepared to take me to the casino, a bar, another church or whatever it takes today to make sure that I am alright. I guess, my Mother would say that I have been truly blessed and HIGHLY favored to have such loyal and dedicated friends in my circle.

So as I prepare to continue my journey through life today, I want to thank my two remaining BFFs for their love, loyalty, friendship, courage, and willingness to stand by me. I just pray that I am as good of a friend to them as they have always been to me.

Feeling the love guys! Thank you.

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.