love

Holiday what?

Posted on by theotherblackwoman

I tried to buy a homeless man breakfast this morning but he pretended to sleep. It made me think about being alone over the holidays. 

You see, we used to have these big lavish ones. My mom would have me bring up over 18 small xmas trees from the basement. I would decorate them while bitching and moaning. My niece would do the main tree in the library. My mum would sit there and tell her where to put all the ornaments while drinking egg nog. Sometimes…they would argue…but we all loved it. 

Then the condo happened. Now she’s in sunny California. 

Me here.

It reminded me of never having any traditions with my ex. He had them with others but not me. A yearly camping trip, music festivals with his sons. 

Me nothing. 

For almost nine years I have never had the holidays with him. Two years ago,  he quit giving me gifts. It’s odd because I am a simple gal.

 I like useful things. 

Think a coffee gift card.

Target card.

Converse tennis shoes. 

A pet gift card. You get the picture. 

A few weeks ago I asked him for a back pack from REI. He said yes. I sent him photos….never got it or a response

For nine xmases. He has never sat with me in front of a tree drinking toddys. Put up lights. Had a xmas dinner. Went xmas shopping with me. Walked with me around the U Village. 

She got all of these things. I know I would’ve appreciated him more. 

It’s obvious.I never cared to yell at him. That’s not my style.

Gone to a dog park with me. Spent time with my pup. 

Don’t get me wrong. I love buying him things. Always have. But I don’t think they mean anything to him. I still have a Japanese woodblock calender from 2016 that he never took home. He’s been in my apartment once since April. 

He’s different. I may be reminiscing because the holidays slay me.

I am SLAYED.

I always see travel books, hipster t-shirts, unique beer, music shows and odd things that remind me of him. It’s hard.

He’s privileged but so is she. She stays at home and is taken care off. I bust my ass and have never been taken care of. I struggle.

 Hustle. 

I resent. I deserved what she got and gets and will continue to get, love or no love. Until she dies. 

Don’t get weird. I mean old age..folks..

So the other day. It clicked. I had mentioned that his texts in the morning made me happy. He stopped sending them. I don’t know if it was intentional but they stopped. I would look down and smile at a text from, “on a break” at 7:45am

I know great contact name…and no you can’t use it. 

I thought a few days after that I am not worthy. So if he thinks so. I should go. For one year. I’ve been saddened by my loss of him. Thinking one day he will want me again. But he doesn’t. I know that now…right before 2017.

Go me!

For nine years he’s known that I am alone for Xmas and New Years. No mindfulness. No interest. In me.

I am ready. To move on. I’ve tried.

So for anyone new reading this. Love the one you’re with. If you don’t love them anymore. 

Than leave. Life is too short. 

But by hurting those who love you. You’re losing. ie..me..not her.

And this gal never wanted diamonds. 

Just love…..

Treading Water

Posted on by theotherblackwoman

This year has gone by so fast! I can’t believe it’s already September soon to be October. So many changes.

 For the three of you who don’t know, I have been single this whole year. It’s been good and bad at times.In my mind, you know? 

 Sometimes, I wake up and have seen him in my dreams. He’s standing in my kitchen cooking me up a medium steak,  drinking barolo wine, watching peep show while stroking my calves, but none of this happened. I see him. But we’re gone. I wish it weren’t forever…but he has left the building. There’s that rewind button when you miss EVERYTHING you had with him and you want to push it. But you can’t. 

You’re at a crossroads and being pulled….let it go….hold on….hope…or tread water. 

I juggle the love I once had. 

The love I give others. 

The love I want.

The love I lost.

The love. 

So.. I tread water….

Dear Ethel

Posted on by theotherblackwoman

Have you ever woken up feeling, happy?  No, no, not the usual boring happy, its sunny out, I can’t wait to start my day. Or even, I am on vacation and it’s my day off happy. Lastly, I got paid, I am happy! I mean…..different. Wofting into your own existence. Wait? Is that a word? At peace if you will.

You feel free, relaxed, exposed to the world. Well not really. People, I am NOT that important. To my family and friends, yes. But probably not to you.

Do you remember a time when you used to be or act differently? When I used to get out of relationships in my youth. There is a series of events that would take place.

I would first hate them. Yes, yes, I am aware that word is terrible. I would throw all of their stuff out. I then would erase them from my mind. It’s like, I am in a Terry McMillan novel, lighting a car on fire. It’s just a metaphor. That girl be crazy!

I think the worst of it was driving over an old lovers things in my old Nissan sentra. Settle down folks! This was in college. Maybe, maybe, I put an old lover on a bus back to Poland from London. Or doing the old, “it’s not me it’s you, speech. Or its me NOT you.

We’re friends on Facebook and you know you do the same. Well, the polish one and sentra one. Ah…the twenties!!!

Good times!
Twenty something peeps, listen up!
Do me a favor, do NOT complain about your body, because you look AMAZING!

With a recent EX now three months out, I feel happy. Not that we’re not together but that I no longer carry the expectations that I once had. I hope he stays in my life…forever..

I still miss him, want to be in contact with him, want his approval, love to be in the same room with him, love the smell of him and still respect him. To be honest, I FEEL safer with him in this world.

Ethel, have you ever had this feeling? I don’t have animosity. I just want to move forward and focus on joy. Laughter.

Be grateful to each day.

Ethel, can I have my free Snapple , now?