Every first Saturday of the month in Brooklyn, the borough's museum hosts a big community party. They have special events and exhibits and it's all free and open to the public. Well this month, the flier advertising the festivities had a very vibrant and familiar face. My big sister was chosen to represent at the museum's celebration of Queens. While the party planners were just doing their jobs, little did they know that organizing this celebration would provide an opportunity for my family to party together.
Crowded in the front space of the museum, more than a thousand people gathered to watch the performance. A few rows were taken up by the likes of my aunts and uncles. My cousins, college girlfriends, and boyfriend took up posts around different sections of the room, and I stood proudly next to a pillar close to the stage, watching and shouting, and cheering and smiling from ear to ear. Not only was I excited about my sister's show, but I was soooooo happy to be around family.
Rewind a few hours and you would have seen the members of the Clinton-Henderson household doing our usual last minute dance to get out the door (late per usual! Don't judge us!). In one section of the house were my nieces fresh from their birthday weekend play date grabbing their shoes and doing their little sister's hair, excited about hanging out late. On another floor was my little sister, just getting in the door from a fashion styling gig, transforming her work clothes into a cute purple and green vintage get-up. Up and down the stairs was my elder brother putting the finishing touches on his own attire (which included a swagged out t-shirt from his personal DrtySlvr clothing line) and making sure that the little ones were ready. And then the matriarch, our fly as can be momma-wearing some fabulous turquoise accents with a beautiful rose colored duster that she just popped the tags off--she led the way out the door with her children and grandchildren in tow.
Ever since I was little, I felt like we had a magic family; times like this bring back the magic for me. In my mind "Magic" captures the essence of how vibrant we are as a team, and how the energy of our family love feels like it can make you float on air, especially when you most need to be lifted from the problems of the world. That magic transcends beyond those of us who are here, and seems to come from some seriously deep rooted place in our family lineage, a place that I'm sure our ancestors curated and continue to nurture for us who are here. I guess being away from home makes reconnecting with the magic that much more meaningful; I still feel charged just reflecting on the night.
At some point after the show we all stood on the stage with my big sister and a huge gathering of people with cameras appeared; they must have felt the same magic emanating from us and wanted to capture the moment as much as I did. My sister electrified the stage and we all celebrated and reflected the glow. It was truly dynamic!
When we finally made it home, the party continued; as we broke dawn we ushered in the 12th anniversary of one our proudest and favorite moments: the birth of the twins! Their tall genes are making it increasingly difficult to distinguish the nieces from the aunt, so before packing my things in preparation for my return to all things school, I tiptoed to an acceptable auntie stature and got to give the proudest auntie hug to two of the most beautiful girls in the world on their birthday. I was sad that I couldn't stay for the traditional celebration that took place later in the day, but shortly before I passed out cold on the bus on the way back to school, I gave thanks for all that I got to experience in the time that I had at home.
What turned into a "magic" family weekend ended up being the perfect way to celebrate before I returned to school to check off some of these assignments from the "Before I go to South Africa Must-Do List". With less than a week before I board, I'm a bit exhausted, but definitely excited about all that's in store.
#sixdaysandcounting
#bestfamilyEVER!
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