OMG…I Won!!!!

Wow. Floored.

. . .

A few weeks back I happened across a writing contest on the school's main website. I was immediately attracted to it because the theme for the contest was around healing. (If you haven't gathered from all of my other entries, my dissertation topic has to do with African American adolescent's beliefs on trauma and healing.)

Well, it was coming down to the wire and, of course, I hand't written a thing. The deadline was March 28th, and as of the 26th, I had nothing.

Giving up would have been easy at that point, but there was something nagging at me to push through and make something happen.

So, at the last minute, on March 28th I submitted a poem.

. . .

Since that day the contest has been on my mind. I knew that a decision about the contest winners would be delivered in just a matter of weeks, so I waited in hopeful anticipation of good news.

I checked the website a few times this morning, but no results.

5pm…still nothing.


Well, just about 10 minutes ago I almost fainted.

After clicking on the link to the main website for the contest, I noticed that winners were listed.

I quickly saw the name of the first place winner. . .didn't start with a "Z".

Second place winner . . .a Howard student, but still not me.

And then, as I was preparing to give myself the speech about being proud of myself for entering anyway, I noticed that the name of the third place winner looked VERY familiar. It read:

"Third Place Prize: $250…"

And then I lost it.
OOOOOOOMMMMMMMGGGGGGG, THAT'S THE TITLE OF MY POEM. . .AND THAT'S MY NAME NEXT TO IT!!!!!!!!
I……WON!!!!!!!

I was truly overcome with joy. It felt like engagement night ALL over again. I fell speechless and near tears.

I'm grateful, humbled, and proud.

Creator, thank you for sending encouragement right on time.

Thank You.

Check out the contest here: www.tucksonhealthconnections.com/healing-stories-creative-writing-contest/

"I got my thoroughest girl wit me"

It's been four years in the making, but, finally, my BEST friend has come to visit.

We met in 6th grade. We were among the "good" girls that pretty much followed the straight and narrow. If I'm being honest, in hindsight, maybe we were THE geek squad. But whatever, the point is that something in our spirits connected us us over 20 years ago, and every time we meet it's like junior high school all over again.

Crystal is the most genuine spirited person I know. She is an amazing reminder of looking at the glass half full. When we're around each other it's all laughs, loud-talking, silliness, and fun! Just what the doctor ordered during the misery that typically comes along with the end-of-the-semester-blues.

It's been EVERYTHING I've imagined so far. Since I picked her up at the bus station two days ago, we've been ripping and running. I've been showing her around my favorite places and we've found some hidden treasures in restaurants that I didn't even know were in my backyard. To top it all off, the weather has been beautiful. It's like Spring picked the PERFECT weekend to really show up.

Even in the midst of all the work I'm trying to complete, just having my bestie here with me has helped change the energy in these parts. I'm happy to have company and ceaseless girl talk, and some sort of balance to this academic process, if only for a few days.

Anyways, I just wanted to tell you that. It's actually 3:13AM. While the bestie is knocked out in the room, I'm here trying to type for my life. This chapter two needs to get into the hands of my advisor in 3 days, and it sure ain't gonna write itself.

So, lata now (in my Crystal voice-that's how she says it on her answering machine)!