On A Tuesday... #ItsYaBirthday!

When It’s Ya Birthday…

…you do all the things you want to do, right? Because that’s how birthdays work, right? You choose.

And you’d be totally right if you were talking about anyone else. But we’re talking about me. And because you know me, you know that I did not wake up on my birthday ready to embark on all of the things I wanted to do because it was my day.

But, the first voices I heard were my beautiful goddaughters in Southern California. That best friend of mine knows how to make my day for sure. I wasn’t ready to go out into the world the moment before the phone rang. The moment after we said our goodbyes, I was ready to do the impossible!

Which I did. I got out of the bed and got into the shower. Because it felt impossible to do, until I got showered with all that love and remembrance.

You know what I did next? Yes. I went to work. See, the work that I do, it’s kind of a thing. And it tends to get busy every year, like clockwork, on the day I’m supposed to do all of the things I want to do. So much so, I honestly, at times, forget that my birthday is here.

Let’s go back in time to my days in Westwood. My little sister from the same mommie and mister sent me sunflowers. My favoritest flowers in the whole wide world. I was sooooo surprised. So much so, I went around and showed everyone what my little sister did for me for no reason at all! I mean, she sent me something…just…because…?! Inconceivable! Yea, until she called me to wish me a happy birthday. It was around 2:30pm PST. That’s when I went around and told everyone that actually I got these because it was my birthday. Only, I was the only one that didn’t know.

They sent me home.

We’re back to 2015. I’m doing the actual adult thing these days, so nobody sends you home when there is work to be done. Especially when the residents (read: your children that you didn’t birth)  are back. Naw pimp, we’ll see you bright and early. #IncidentReportsBreh #TheyBack

A hunger pain caught me. I grabbed two of my colleagues and we went to House of Bagels. Because, bacon. As we ate and chatted about the world, we heard a loud thud. Not a gunshot thud, but when you’ve grown up where I’ve grown up, you assume the worst.

Which was exactly what was happening. A man, a stranger, a person had fallen down. He hit his head on the bumper of a car. He began to violently seize…stopping mid walk, body frozen, falling down, hitting his head on the bumper of a car…and violently shaking – foaming at the mouth furiously.

When you do the work that we do, you don’t panic. You don’t have time to panic. You call for Emergency Medical Services. You observe what’s going on so you can report it. You ensure the safety of the individual in need and those attempting to help. You remain as calm as you can. You breathe. The same way you where inhaling and exhaling that bacon. Because someone needs you more than you needed that last bite of your food. And in that moment, nothing else mattered. Literally, in that moment, nothing else matters.

Once help has arrived and you have ensured everything will be taken care of, you hit the play button. It’s time for life to resume again. Well, scratch that. Perhaps you didn’t hit the play button at all. Maybe you’re doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing. You just got to the end of one song and the next track begins to play. Different genres of music, sure. Same playlist tho.

Later in the afternoon as one of my colleagues and I talked of this being my special day, he shared with friends (who brought me the special-est gift!) that we saved a man’s life. I looked at him like, we did wheeettt?? o_0 I hadn’t thought about that moment the entire day, until he brought it up. It had not crossed my mind. Not once. Hell, I spent half (read: ALL DAMN DAY) the afternoon trying to figure out how I could leave work early! #DidntWorkTho #ItWas4pmWhenWeHadThisConvo #StillinTheOffice When he used the words saved a man’s life my first thought was, I hadn’t done that at all. We got a man help. I made sure that my colleagues were being safe during the whole incident, minding where they were standing, making sure we weren’t in danger, calming the small crowd around us, giving the man space. I was doing what I was supposed to do, right?

My birthday evening I had dinner with the vessel that created my life. I got to see her smile. I got the honor and privilege of treating the woman who laid in pain for hours (not as many hours as the rest of yall, cause I was considerate) to her favorite meal. I hugged her. I nestled my head into her stomach, asking if I could return there…cause bills Mommie. They make you pay for things out here!!! I wanna go back! #TheDarkConOfAdulthood #SendMeBackJesus #NineMonthVacation

I spent the entire day not thinking about what I wanted to do on my day. I didn’t do a single thing that I wanted to do on my birthday, as a matter of fact #CanIJustTakeANapJesus #ThatsAlliWantGod???. Absolutely no action (well maybe that morning shower and teeth brushing) was for me, or in honor of my special day. But, I did all the things I was supposed to do. And goodness Father God, there was so much happy in that. I am so blessed. I really am. 

...and sweet potato cookies. Because somewhere in HIS word He promised grace, and mercies, and blessings that there would not be room enough to receive. And when I opened that box Father God, I saw the glory! Somebody better get up and shout unto God! Surely goodness and mercies will be mailed to me! All the days of my life Lord! You can't tell me MY GOD ain't good! I dare you to try Him on today! 
#TheDoorsToTheChuchAreOpen #ButTheFlapsToThisBoxAre Closed #TasteAndSee #HeIsReal #RealinMySoul #AndMyStomach #ThemCookiesAlmostGone #EatenToTheLastCrumb #CauseMyGodIsAGodOfCompletion #ItIs(almost)Finished #WontHeDoIt? #OhYesHeWill

…and my heart of so full of gratitude to all of you that took time out to remember me in whatever way you did. I genuinely appreciate your gestures of celebration and acknowledgement. Being remembered, acknowledged, being recognized – in whatever way you do that for a person is a lifesaving act. Thank you sincerely for saving my life on the day I was given life. I hope you had a wonderful day. I owe you thank you’s and so much more!