Looking Ahead
Lately things have been bleak and unforgiving. I’ve gone through so much in the past couple of months. With my sister’s passing and my mother and grandmother’s health declining, it’s really taken a toll on me. Very recently, though, things have slowed down a bit, so I’m trying to get back to my normal. The only thing is…I am not so sure what that is anymore.
Illness and death open your eyes to your surroundings, senses, opportunities, and make you think of what you want your future to look like. In the last couple of years, I feel like I’ve always known what I’ve wanted out of life, and I still do! However, I may have added one or two things on my bucket list (had to create a bucket list for these things first) because now I am seeing life through a slightly different lense.
Even though I’ve been running raged with my family—annoying and all—I’ve decided that instead of wallowing in my misery or only seeing the negative, I’m going to smile, keep going, and live my life. Because no one can do that for me, and no one is going to make sure that I’m living to the fullest and taking care of myself except for me. Of course, I’ll still be there for my annoying ass family, but on my terms because I can’t keep putting my life on hold and letting it rot because they can’t get their shit together.
With my sister passing, it’s been really hard, but some of you have really come through to help my mother and I by giving what you could towards her funeral. With that said, we still need a little help. My sister’s funeral was really expensive, so there’s still a balance. If you can (don’t strain yourself!), please give what you can. Either click the PayPal button in the top right corner or give below. We’d really appreciate it!
In times like these, it’s best just to push myself. I don’t like doing it, but in the end, I’m grateful that I do because I feel so much better afterwards. And that’s the part that I want the most: to feel better. So, I am
First off, it’s Pride Month, and Juneteenth is smack dab in the middle of it! Those are like the best 2 holidays for this Black queer chick right here! I can be super gay AND super Black. Hell yeah! And there’s always something going on in Richmond, so I know I’ll be able to celebrate somewhere.
There’s the Juneteenth Celebration in one of the parks, the pregame at another park, and I know that Black restaurants and businesses will have something going on as well. I also believe that there’s a café that gives Black people free coffee. I’m not entirely sure, but I’m gonna find it and get me a free cup even though I don’t even like coffee. I don’t give a damn! I’ll take reparations in most forms.
For Pride Month, there are things going on through September, which is wild! But it’s been like that ever since I could remember. There’s the Pride Lit Con where you can meet queer authors, speed dating, which is more common than I thought, and the parade, of course. FYI, I’ve never been to a parade, but I really hope I get to go this year. I also want to go to a drag brunch because it’s been forever since I’ve been. I just love throwing money at the ladies!
So many things going on! It’s hard to choose from all the events, but the main thing for me is participating and possibly making new connections. I want to make more queer Black friends. I’m sure I’ll run into them while I’m out and about. RVA is almost 50% Black, after all! That’s what I want, and hopefully, I’ll grow in the process. That’s what it’s all about, right?
I’ll do my best to take pictures, but y’all know me. I rarely have my phone in hand when I’m having a good time, but I will try to make a conscious effort to take pictures so I can post them on the socials.
I may take a friend or two with me. I haven’t decided yet. I really like going out alone and just being in my own element, but I do like hanging out with friends and bonding over shared experiences, so I don’t know. Most of my friends are extroverts so they’ll definitely be down to go to something. I’ll pose a few of the options to them and see which ones they’d be available for.
