Sacred Spaces and Other Ordinary Lessons

It’s day four of my move to New Orleans and I am getting used to having incremental naps. Felicia and I, after getting our bearings, arose and went searching for coffee. We decided on Café Treme, which isn’t but a few blocks away from where we stay. Here is where you guess what happened next. If you’ve guessed that we got lost – and stayed lost for about an hour – you win the grand prize of NOTHING.  No need to worry though because we had our handy GPS system. When our sister Michaela found out where were lost, around the corner from her house, she couldn’t stop laughing. Damn northern city folk! How in the world can I find my way around Chicago but get lost in the crescent city is beyond me. 

Speaking of things which are beyond me, I am in awe of this city and its people – my people. Felicia and I have been showered with so much love and support. We’ve been sheltered and fed (spiritually, mentally, and physically) by these amazing women and men.  It really makes me understand the importance of not merely being out for oneself, that life is a collective arrangement give and take. Deep bonding with our sisters and brothers is a manifestation of the love that our divine creator has with us. 

The creative and supernatural energy that is New Orleans slams you into reality and teaches you to wait on her, forcing you to keep your eyes on the heavens and take note of incremental progression.  I’m sure that if there was a New Orleans dictionary (and quite possibly there is) there would be no term or phase which could nearly mean I want it today. 

For instance, I mentioned our living space earlier in this blog and by now you may be wondering what the hell is going on with their house. Well, a few weeks in August, after visiting New Orleans in search of apartments and interviewing for jobs, my Goddess sister Gee texts me and says – look no further. Michaela has just the space for you! And it’s right next door to her home.  I was ecstatic.  Living next to my goddess sister, who has her own garden and is willing to allow me to dig in her dirt as well, I was sold…without even seeing the house.  Sometimes you’ve gotta act on faith alone, right?  Well we did, and I spoke to the property owner and we hit it off right away. After our conversation I learned that the house was being completely gutted and renovated. The bottom half is being turned into a café and Felicia and I would be the occupants of the top level. Might I add that this building is gorgeous and is the tallest on the block? It has floor to ceiling windows which allow light to come in from all directions, a wraparound balcony, and high beautiful ceilings.  I’d asked if the unit will be available for October 1^st, and the answer was “yes that’s more than enough time.” Needless to say the unit isn’t ready…not even close to ready at this point. 

However, here’s the lesson in this lived experience that I’ve learned so far, which New Orleans is teaching me over and over again. Down here we run on the power of people and spirit, we are all intertwined into what we know as community. You’re nothing without it. You can’t get anything done without it and certainly, without the power of community, your sacred spaces are sparse. You’re open to the elements, whatever that is, and this is definitely taken at your own risk. This is how the people of New Orleans and any people, get through atrocity and trauma and come out clean and beautiful on the other side.  

So this is how the creator decided to slow down my pace so that I can keep my eyes on everyday miracles. Oh, and by the way, the other lesson I learned comes from Michaela. I bought pralines from a street vendor on our way home the night Felician and I were was lost. 

Michaela asked, “Child, where’d you get these pralines? From the man on the corner? 

 I replied, “Yes”, all proud of myself for buying some local pralines. 

She said, “honey don’t you buy any more pralines without butter in them.” 

Her and Felicia laughed me out of town and I will never live this one down. Hilarious.

Welcome to Chi-NOLA! Why am I moving again?

"You don't know shit from Shinola" was a common phrase that I used to hear when I was coming of age. It's a colloquialism which usually means that one isn't too bright, that a person may not hold basic intelligence or common sense. I never knew what the heck Shinola was until I was grown, and I'm still trying to figure out if all "fat meat" really is "greasy", but one thing I do know is that this Chi-town woman is making one of the biggest moves of her life to New Orleans tomorrow. 

This blog will be used to tell the story of my migration towards a place of healing, peace, and self care. Do I expect Utopia in southern living? Nope. However, sometimes a person has to navigate away from what is most comfortable, in order to get to where you need to be. As a Black woman, who has struggled through a very unequal/ imbalanced existence all of her life, I now feel as if I need a place to heal - and dealing with lifelong trauma is no easy feat. However, the few times that I have visited New Orleans, my friends and the people have provided that sacred space for me to get respite. And, of course, I've always felt as if it were my natural home. So away I go!

Who knows, maybe I will come up with a few catch phrases of my own to relay this experience in its entirety. What I know is that every new day offers another opportunity for me to re-imagine myself. As I write I have decided that all of my stuff, my 30 something years of life, must fit into three boxes and a rickety old cedar chest, which is relatively easy seeing as my partner and children will be staying behind in Chicago. They have graciously given me a year to "get it all together", so everyday I will wake up and do just that. One day at a time.

I know that my family and friends love and support me. All my life I've known Chicago, now let's see how well I can get to know New Orleans. I may not know shit from Shinola but I do know faith and spirit and they have carried me thus far. I'll allow the creator to shine out the rest.

Ase!
Keesha

...Countdown...

T-minus three days until I'm in my beloved New Orleans. This is a major move for me. I'm giving up parts of myself, everyday contact with my family (temporarily), and being vulnerable and open to the universe! Here's to stepping out on faith.