(kinda inspired by Raven's post)
Sometimes, I actually envy OJ and Calvin, and every other person that knows their dad. I tried to find mine earlier this year, to maybe make myself whole in a sense, maybe to ask why, again, because I still don't understand. We did talk about it when I was 18, but it was over the phone, so I couldn't really tell if he was lying or not.
He said that he was scared, for one, and 2, he wanted to live in the country, and my moms wasn't going for it. Well, moms did give country living a shot... for 2 weeks. She is just a city girl, so that was not going to work for her. He tried living in Chicago but it really wasn't his speed, so he left.
He hasn't settled anywhere since. Last I heard, he was in Minnesota, leaving behind my brother and sister in Tennessee somewhere. I often wonder if his wanderlust and not being able to stay in the same spot long is something I inherited. I have been in LA now for 4 years, which is VERY long for me and if it wasn't for state obligations, I would be long gone.
However, right before I came here to LA I went to Tennessee (Ripley) to see my grandmother, mainly because my own great-grandmother in Chi (RIP to Mother Dear) had passed on the week before, and I had no job (just got fired from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, strangle me later) so I was on my way to North Carolina to start anew. But I decided I needed to see her first. She was so sweet, and I was amazed that she raised like 8 kids (my dad and his 6 brothers and 1 sister) in that small, small house. She even had the shoes from my last visit there, when I was 2 weeks old, and she kept every picture that my moms ever sent of me, so she never forgot. And as soon as word got down there that I was coming, ALL the cousins, uncles, aunts came out the woodwork to welcome me and they would say, yes, you ARE Howard's boy.
I felt immediately accepted, and contemplated staying around so that I could learn more, but I was on a tight schedule, so I had to leave after 2 days. I didn't get to see my brother or sister or dad, but maybe next time I can.
In Other News...
They called this woman Mrs. Anthrax. Cold shit there.
And they gave Tim Duncan the MVP again.... WHY?
Posted by maximillian at May 5, 2003 12:45 PMAhh, I know exactly where Ripley is. I'm in Memphis, and about 30-45 minutes away. Calvin is more like 3 hours away. Grandmothers are the best... I could almost envision your experience like I was there... it just sounds like it SHOULD be visiting a down-south, small-town grandma. I know you ate good... right?
Posted by: Deah on May 5, 2003 02:25 PMi wish i had the courage like you to pick up and move to a different place...i want to bounce so bad, but i know now is not the time...
your so right about tim duncan, why again...they str8 up robbed KG...thats foul...*smh
Posted by: Ty on May 5, 2003 04:14 PMThat was really bold of you to even search your dad out, Max. It's funny how you can inherit personality traits from someone who was never really around you. Hopefully, you'll be able to take the same advice you gave me, homie.
Posted by: raven on May 5, 2003 05:56 PMMax this was a really nice entry dude....
It's funny how I find myself doing the different things my mom and dad used to do when I was younger by accident....I find myself talking about something and it's just like what my dad would say....or my reaction to a situation is just like how my mom would react....
I'm glad you got to see your grandmother and stuff though....it's good to make those connections and things....it's a small world out there especially for black folks....
Posted by: Calvin on May 5, 2003 08:44 PMDeah, you would think I would have eaten good, but my granma, bless her heart, is not the best cook in the world, that was actually grandad's thing (RIP). But, one of my uncles from Memphis was a cook at Red Lobster, so at 50% off we ate REAL good, lol.
Ty, thanks, you are like the 4th person who has said that. I don't know, I didn't really look at it as courageous, but I did know it was time to go, and when it is for you, you will know it and nothing will get in your way...
Raven, you are ab-so-smurfly right. I will probably try again to get in contact next time I get a school break...
Calvin, I will tell you how small a world it is... I went to a funeral for an uncle of mine a few years back and saw this girl I was in college with that I wanted to bang...
Turns out we were um, cousins...