Folks,
Friends and family,
New friends, old, and maybe so’s,
Greetings and salutations. Today I celebrate 39 around the sun. My pops is quick to remind me I was born at noon (lunch time) and it’s why I eat so much food; fair enough.
I don’t ask for much on these occasions. I’m very fortunate to have arrived at a place where I’m able to give myself what’s needed and wanted. So what else is there? Give me a hug next time you see me; outside of that, I’m not sure.
Maybe this day ain’t for me but for y’all – my people, the folks I’ve been riding with for years, who’ve been in the trenches with me. You know who you are. So yea, this for you. Could also be for the folks who are new or relatively new, or we still learning each other, y’all too. Maybe we met on a zoom call or at a function, or we just random internet friends. Y’all too.
Get you some joy and peace today. Maybe that’s a glass of water, chilled, from the refrigerator. Maybe it’s eggs scrambled with bacon (not burnt) and some OJ. Maybe it’s a nap at 11:00 AM ET or PT or MT, or wherever you are reading this. Matter of fact, pause the reading of this and go take a nap, all of you.
Maybe joy and peace is texting someone who you know gonna have you crying laughing in the next five minutes. Maybe it’s a voice note to yourself. Maybe it’s a voice note to yourself. Maybe it’s you replaying that voice note so you too can hear your voice and settle in calm knowing you’re okay, or maybe not okay. It’s okay to not be okay.
Maybe it’s rereading texts from the friend you lost yesterday, because, no matter the year, that shit hits like a day ago all the same. Maybe that joy and peace is watching some video you have saved on your phone from that trip you took 7 years back. You know, the one at the dining spot you keep telling folks about. Maybe it’s watching your favorite poet read a poem on YouTube, or it’s sitting still in silence for 3 minutes before crying. Crying is joy.
I’ve tried to cry writing this and I don’t know why. Maybe joy is the rain and the peace is you sitting in it or walking in it, or eating your favorite biscuit with jam while listening to a loved one shower you with praise in it.
We’re here together, in this together, continuing to find new ways to live in this world together, so Happy Birthday to y’all too. Now go drink some water.
with love,
RW
P.S. S/o to Tuvok, always
Can't wait to give you a hug the next time I see you. What a blessing it is to be in community with you. Happy Birthday <3
Happy Birthday, fam! May this year be filled with all the love and peace your heart can hold🫶🏾