It wasn’t until his funeral that it was said aloud, actually written in the obituary, Uncle Red was Autistic. It’s funny how Black folk had a silent understanding that neurodivergence was seen, protected, yet not openly acknowledged. Perhaps Bunny became an educator with a heart for students who were equally as genius and divergent. Or maybe she was led to a graduate degree with English learner certifications because she sat at dinner tables listening to Arabic, on the porch in Glendale with Armenian and Tupac bumping in the background, on the coach of immigrants from Mexico who taught her some of her first preschool words in Spanish. It’s funny how fate weaves such a complex web throughout space and time. Bunny only wondered where this new adventure would bring her next. Why did she have to say goodbye in order to welcome in a new beginning?
Tag: college
Philly Dreams
I’ve been asked, “If you could live anywhere, where would it be?”
Hands down, every time, it’s Philly. I fell in love with this city in 2002, when one of my college girlfriends invited me to stay with her for Thanksgiving break. A Cali girl, all sunshine and smiles, left her heart in the City of Brotherly Love during that trip. And let me tell you, it wasn’t a gentrified trip with tours and lattes. I was in the hood okay? North Philly, corner stores, hoagies and a lot of interesting characters. My friend took me to her old high school where, for the first time ever, I saw metal detectors in a school. Like really? Where am I? But it was great, looking back I am so glad I have these memories.
But in 2004, my love for Philly got really real. I’d become a Christian the year before, and “discovered” CHH (Christian Hip Hop). Guess where my fave artist at the time was from? Philly of course! Ambassador and Cross Movement introduced me to lyrical theology and I fell deeper. I remember the day exactly, Universal City Walk, at one of those CD stores (lol) and I picked up, “The Thesis”. CHANGED MY LIFE.
At some point I decided that I wanted to go to bible college for my Masters, and with the support of a good friend, we went on tours and talked to her pastor who graduated from the university I was considering. Obviously that didn’t happen BUT, the greatest contribution Philly gave me is my husband, Rob. But that’s a story for another time.
Hey Philly, I just want you to know…I love you.
teachquelle 