'Cause I'm still hood, Hollywood couldn't change me

I hopped over a gate today.

Somethings never change.

Growing up I, not quite hopped over, but onto a gate. At the center of Baxter Terrace, a housing project, there was a basketball court which was enclosed by this large metal gate. One Summer, part of it had fallen down halfway and a bunch of the kids were bouncing on it. Who was I to not join in on the fun? I was having a blast until I could feel pain from my knee to my ankle, the cut was leaking so much blood. I still have the scar from that. I didn't forsee myself ever having to do such a thing again.

Looking back I realize we were rich in other ways. Some of my core, most cherished memories, had to do with me being outside. Making mud pies with my friends. Riding around on bikes and scooters late into the evening. Playing tag, hide and seek and man-hunt. We spent so much time jumping rope. I never learned to jump double-Dutch but I loved to turn for the girls and watch them in admiration. All the kids would play together outside on the jungle-gym. I spent so much time with my cousins on both sides of my family. Nothing compared to that.

Storytime! My kindergarten crush pushed me off a platform onto some monkey-bars below. I'll never forget him or that day! We were playing outside, as we always did, but I remember a lot of families had started moving from Brick Towers, another housing project, so there weren't many of us outside. But there was a security guard. Don't recall seeing one before that day or after. An angel if you ask me. Because after my crush (>:() pushed me I remember almost passing out, the guard jumping over a gate and picking me up and me pointing him to the building my family lived in. That was how I lost my top two teeth.

By third grade we moved to an area with a large Latin population. Though my mother's father is Puerto Rican, I didn't experience much culture outside of other Black folk. Such a new, welcome experience! Good food, music I don't quite know how to dance to but when I'm alone my hips do not lie, and a language that piques my interest. I can pick out a couple words and phrases here and there. Wait until I learn for real! I met a cutie pie then, I recall seeing for the first time and things kind of slowing down. That feeling has happened a few times with the very same. I tried to teach him how to skate. Key word, tried… My friend had such a crush on him so as a loyal friend, I had to set my sights elsewhere. They were also of the same culture. As a child, I didn't know that was something that could be explored.

Reminicing makes me emotional.

We don't choose who will be a light in our lives. I wouldn't have it any other way either.

So, yeah, today I did hop over a gate. Someone ordered cupcakes and I don't have a car but I had to do what I had to, use these two left feet and find a place to get last-minute muffin tins and icing bags and tips. A flip phone means no ubering. I guess I could save a few cab numbers but my feet work just fine and I needed to be active anyway. After walking to the East-side of the city I had to walk all the way to another city, up-North. I hit a dead-end along the water and was too lazy to walk back. Your girl had to do what she had to do. I was exhausted but I got everything I needed and made it home with lunch before the rain.

Cupcakes are cooling. Icing is ready to go.

I made fourteen cupcakes.

They ordered twelve.

I am very deserving of a treat.

Greedily,

xoxo,

Ashanti

Update: Twas bomb!