blog number one!!!

i dream of this summer, when i can bring all of my best friends together for a BBQ. a celebration of sunshine, positive energy, progression, health, and love. i imagine James, Jamine, Tony, Toby, Myer, Kyle, Keoke, Maria, Kasey, Elisabeth, Robin, Lily, Brent, Jesse, Fatima, Ralph, Melissa, their newborn baby, Megan, Airiona, Amanda, Lisa, Andre, April, Steve, Steve-O, Gina, and so many other friends all together to celebrate. So often we don't stop to appreciate all of the incredible people in our lives. i know i don't. i also never have the opportunity to get all of the people i care about, from so many different social circles, together at one time. i imagine inviting everyone, hyped. at golden gardens, a cookout. i would start the pork shoulder at 7am, staking out a spot in the sand near the water. James would join me, bringing coffee. I would have a boombox, bumping MosDef, D'Angelo, John Legend, E-40, and Jimi Hendrix. the sun would already be bright. the night before, i would debate as to whether to wear the black guyabera or the white one, knowing the white one would get dirty. black "gaucho-style" shorts, flip-flops, and a guyabera. the smell of the pork shoulder would permeate the skies, white folks wondering what the hell that kid is making in the weber. james and i would relax in the folding chairs, knowing this was about to be the best day of the summer! As the morning wore on, people started to straggle up. each person would be greeted with a huge smile and a hug. this is the one day we are all family. i would introduce everyone to everyone. kids running around, people laughing, it would be one huge joyous party. when everyone arrived, we would gather around the BBQ, and i would ask everyone to listen up for a sec. "i am so thankful for everyone here today! this is a beautiful thing. please eat until you can't eat anymore. i love you!" the music, the dancing, the new introductions, a sunset, and the sharing of love brings me to an emotional place. just about everyone has left, and i drop to my knees, watching the last bit of sun disappear over the horizon. D'Angelo's "A'aight" is groovin,' and i turn to the final remaining friend, and give her a huge hug. she looks at me and asks why i am crying. my tears are tears of happiness, thankful for such amazing people in my life. i thank her for her presence in my life, grab my radio, and hold her hand...walking slowly along the shorefront...wandering back to reality...