Autumn in Twilight Reflection
Moments of reflection are often intriguing especially those in nostalgia modes. De Ja Vu! The wind blew and hit my face with a brisk cool breeze. My hair was lifted with charismatic charm as I sat in the warmth of the sun. I felt as though I was in the presence of the one I had longed for all too long. My cousin who had passed away only three years ago today.
The leaves on the trees were a bright orange and crimson red. These tones always gave me comfort yet brought me to a place of wanting more. What is this feeling? I would often ask myself as these moments would appear. A daydreamer is what I was often labeled. A drifting spirit without a home. Who me? No, I like to think of it as being free. Free to allow my mind and spirit to venture to the places of unknown that most people are afraid to go.
"Keoshe! you day dreaming again.. come on we gotta make it to the park before it gets crowded!"
I could hear my cousin yelling at me as he approached my truck. Asad was always cheerful and ready for a good time. He had truly began to teach me the meaning of living in the moment.
'Asad, don't yell at me, you know I like to drift. Dang you just ruined the perfect dream.'
"Keoshe, was I in this daydream of yours?"
'No!'
"Then it was far from being perfect. Come on here girl lets ride."
I loved the way my cousin would put things into perspective for me, from his point of view. At this point in our lives Asad and I were inseparable and no one could come in between us. We are like the brother and sister version of Bonnie and Clyde. Trust you don't want to cross us.
As I drove up the highway we talked about the events of the day that lied ahead at the city park we often ventured to. This was his favorite spot to hang out, Pleasant Park. There's a Wine Arts festival in town and we weren't gonna miss this one for nothing. Asad always knew how to make me smile. So he inserted the latest Erykah Badu cd into the player and we both sighed as we heard the melodious sounds of Worldwide Underground Puff...
Living in the outskirts of the city had done us some justice. We always had somewhere to go within the city limits. Whether we were alone just the two of us or traveling as a family, me him and my two daughters. We always made the best of it. Never in our young lives did we truly focus on the journey of life; it's time constraints or short endings. Every moment was lived to the fullest and by all means enjoyed. Yes there were hard times and bad, but none over shadowed those that was spent in the pure essence of US! We had become a dynamic duo that was left unsung abruptly when the grim reaper showed his face. Twenty four years young with so much more life of promise my cousin Asad Passed a way due to a massive heart attack. This left me in a place of shock and awe. Yet I had discovered that he truly had given me more of a reason to live now, than ever before. All that lay ahead of me he had already sowed pearls of wisdom.
Asad had traveled the world and back thanks to his talent and gift of music ministry. Yes he was a musician at heart and that is the path of life he chose. A giver of his soul and cheerful always. He would often say to me:
"Keoshe God has so much in store for you. It is up to you to allow it to manifest. You choose!"
I can hear him now clear as the day is before me. The sun shining bright warming my face and the smell of burning kush oil in the air. This reflection has become my atmosphere. Asad never hid his feelings and in that, was much like me. Meaning he spoke what he felt and told truth whether you wanted to hear it or not, but He was always tactful. The amazing thing about Asad, by the time he finished telling you what he thought good or bad he always left you with a smile. And today as I reflect in the Twilight of this Autumn day I am enticed to recall all the monumental moments we shared. This essence of nostalgia has not come for no extraordinary reason, but simply to remind me of him.
His spirit lives on and yet the message that his life portrayed. Live, Laugh, Love and in all things keep God first. Yes that is what my favorite cousin taught me. Today I receive it all and believe that this is only my beginning inspired journey. De Ja Vu has become my reality and yet I live in the now. Being Free and Being me. Keoshe Mitchell is on her journey to Soaring as a Free Spirit starting now...
**This short Story was Inspired by the relationship of my Cousin Ashton J. Bridges RIP March 16, 1984 - November 24, 2008**
Although most short stories are longer I just wanted to give you a sample with creativity, momentum, and sentimental value. I hope you enjoyed it. Your feedback is welcomed and you may share your own short stories as well. I will post one more soon this is just to get it started.. Short Story Ventures...
Signed,
Da Black Butterfly
