Unpacking Baggage

Saturday, May 06, 2006

To fling my arms wide
In some place of the sun,
To whirl and to dance
Till the white day is done.
Then rest at cool evening
Beneath a tall tree
While night comes on gently,
Dark like me--
That is my dream!

Langston Hughes

Contrary to what I previously posted this is actually my 100th blog entry and May 10 will mark my 40th year on God’s earth. There is quite a bit to reflect on. Blogging has really been therapeutic and fun for me. When I look back at my first post I am very aware of what it was I was trying to do. I was very clearly writing to myself in an attempt to make sense of the way I think about things. At that time I didn’t really have an audience and never really thought that anyone would be interested in my musings. The more than 11,000 visits to Unpacking Baggage illustrates that I was wrong. Folks have dropped by and left some wonderful comments that have fueled more thought and inspired me to go further. I wish I had kept a journal over the years, but the blog has helped me remember things that I thought I had forgotten.

I have been seeking clarity and the search continues, but there is no question when it comes to family. Many of the comments I’ve received have been from my posts about my peoples. The very first comment I received was from BBBJr, who has been my biggest fan and supporter, not only in Bloggerville, but in life. Sometimes I forget to tell him how much he brings to my time on the big ball. The ride has definitely been better since I sat down next to him. The first comment I received from a stranger was from Eric G. In a recent post I remarked that his was the first blog I ever read. Now I realize why. He was the first to encourage me and he still does. So many have helped make this an enriching and rewarding experience. Most of them are listed in Featured Destinations. Those are the places I check in on regularly. I glean so much from those visits. One day I hope I can let those people know how much they have inspired me on my walk and the great value that they bring to my life.

Here are the highlights (my favorites) from the first 100. Thanks for the love.

Family or Friends
Happy Birthday, Daddy
A Long Hard Road
Bill Maher is my Hero
Great Aunts – Letha
Today
Relax! Relate! Release!
Great Aunts – Inspiration
Peaches! Peaches! Peaches!
The Greatest Voice of my Time
I’ve Been Tagged!

When I turned 30 I decided to subtract five years. I wasn't ready to be 30. That's why I honestly can’t believe I’m turning 40 and admitting it, but I look and feel better now than I have in the whole 40.

I'm sure I'll spend the next few weeks referencing my life and times, but here are few observations...

I’ve been around for eight presidents, their wars and scandals. I’ve seen the birth and death of disco and hip hop. Some folks may argue that hip hop is not dead, but when you compare Grandmaster Flash to Fifty Cent, hip hop is dead. Post-hip hop is what we have now. I remember when FM radio was playing whole albums. Hell! I remember albums (I still have some) I was around when audio and video cassettes were born. I was here for the first gas crisis and for the current mess. I remember Jim Jones and the Great Kool Aid Caper. I even lost some family members in that mess. I’ve been affected by the deaths of Elvis, Lucy, Sassy, Weezie, Ossie and Luther and countless others. I’ve been out of high school for 22 years. I’ve been driving for 27 years (20 with a license). The first movie I remember seeing in the theater was Bambi and that was in Georgia in the balcony, because segregation was still a fact in the early 70s. This year marks my family’s 36th annual reunion. I’ve attended all but three of them. I remember, vividly when AIDS and crack emerged. I’ve watched them both take a whole heap of folks out of here. I’ve seen bell bottoms and afros come, go and come and go again. I’ve seen black folks come a long way and go nowhere. I’ve seen us go from a black family on a few television shows to a whole network of shows. I’ve seen all that and so much more.

I’m not tired yet.

Posted by Rodney :: 10:48 PM :: 14 Comments:

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