written By
She wasn’t always
the exotic woman everyone wants to know
the bad ass engineer in charge of three-quarters of the United States internet services with a global communications company
the successful woman who is unstoppable
“I oversee twenty engineers, provide internet service in the East, West, and South. I work with them to help them to get their job done. I am their leader; I must follow them.”
She was once a girl who dared to dream big
She was once a student at the top of her class
As a wise child, I was always overlooked and discredited because of age. I had braided hair that I had to do myself, not beautiful enough, didn’t measure up to standards of beauty.
Awards given, nobody showed.
I’d be recognized in Who’s Who in Math and Science, track meets, and first-place ribbons; nobody ever showed up.
a little girl in the neighborhood
In elementary, we did a paper mâché puppets and I won the contest. We would play on the playground during recess, and play after school.
We were just little girls. We met through Cleo, your neighbor. Cleo’s mom would make us fresh tortillas for breakfast.
In the growing years, doing homework in my room and your mom used to bring us a tray of snacks. I would wonder, “Wow, is this how the other half lives!?! I was like ‘my mom would never do this! She’s like fuckin’ June Cleaver!’, she’d bring us peanut butter and milk! Your dad welcomed me in your home since we were little, even though he never spoke a word to me. After I graduated from college, he told me he was proud of me, that meant so much to me, more than if my own dad spoke those words.
Your dad was so happy when you married Christopher. He looked me in the eye and said: “You’re welcome in my home anytime.”
I was playing sports, you were a cheerleader and together we smoked. We just vibed.
We were friends before we had bikes. We went to driver’s ed together.
She has had her share of challenges
You were my ticket out of there. You fail to see what you did for me. You said, “Let’s go to Houston for a couple of weeks,” and I packed up all my shit, pawned my VCR, and TV and went with you. You were always the leader of our little gang. You always had the freedom cuz you always broke the rules, you never gave a fuck about the rules. I’ve always admired you, your strength and boldness. I never had it or thought I had it, you brought it out of me. We were reckless with other people, but we were careful with one another because we couldn’t lose each other. We forgive each other and love each other because our relationship was deeper than that.
She has prayed and waited for God to move
Mountains far too big for her
She has been the one people hate on per their own jealousy
She has overcome adversity and come out on top
I remember when we went to apply at the Marriott downtown. My mother said, “They will hire Laurie because she’s small and cute. They won’t hire you because you’re big and black. And when I quit USAA to go to college, my mom was so mad at me; she said, “People are trying to get hired at USAA.” When I earned my engineering degree, she said, “Wow! You really did it! I didn’t know you could do it!”
She has been crowned with favor by Almighty God
She runs to the rescue for her loved ones
When her mom died, I helped Renee make the programs for her mom’s funeral
I stayed by my best friend’s side
Trying my best to shoulder some of her pain
And just be there for her
She shows up when she’s needed, no need to ask
Goes out of her way to bring comfort with her presence
When my daddy died, I was a wreck, in a daze
My husband drove me to my daddy’s funeral
When we pulled up to the funeral home, I looked up and there she was
The one, the only- Renee!
God knew I needed her
I smiled and ran to my best friend and hugged her tight, tears flowing
I had to fly into Austin because I missed my flight. I rented a car, drove to San Antonio from Austin, and got to your dad’s funeral on time. When I drove up, I was putting my high heels on when you spotted me. I made it to be with you like you were with me.
She has much work left to do
So look out, world, Renee is just getting started!
