Project Kengikat

Late Night

// December 23rd, 2009 // Uncategorized

This is really turning out to be one of the best holiday seasons for me in a very long time and it started off with the month of November “Giving Thanks” outreaches to homeless people, ow income families and people living with HIV and AIDS. The month was a huge success and set the tone for what was to come for me during this holiday season.

December represents so much for me this year and I was so looking forward to my 41st birthday. As I stated in other blogs and even in my vlog I was really excited because all the goals I had set for my organization as well as for myself were all accomplished, so I was already looking forward to celebrating my 41st and getting started working on my new goals.

It’s December 23, 2009 at 2:17AM and I am busy cooking making pie crust and getting my peaches just  right for a peach cobbler, after it is done I will began the prep work for my baked macaroni and cheese, both of which are for the Christmas party I’ve been invited to attend down on Skid Row being hosted by the residents I try to help through my Unpluggin HIV outreach. It is such a huge honor to have been invited to attend their Christmas party.

On the 19th, which was my 41st birthday, I was so surprised to look into my mailbox and find that there was a birthday card from the residents down on Skid Row. It really blew me away that they would take the time to think of me on my birthday. It really had such a huge impression on me and set the tone for what was an awesome birthday filled with cool messages, emails, phone calls and time with family and friends.

For me there has been so much to celebrate and to be thankful as well as grateful for, after 29 months of homelessness I am in a great apartment, after so much trouble and stress with my HIV health care, I now have a great doctor and awesome clinic which makes HIV something that I no longer worry or stress about, just the way it should be. I’ve been able to really step up my efforts to find employment, my organization has gotten much stronger and has even grown. This is also the first time I have ever purchased a Christmas tree.

Buying a Christmas tree really may not be such a big deal for many, in fact I have had people tell me that it was silly of me to purchase one, but I told them that they do not get to decide what it best for me or what is silly for me. For me the tree represents a new beginning and a sweet gateway into the new year. It is clearly a celebration of life and all that I have been able to accomplished.

Right now my apartment smells like peach cobbler baking in the oven and has the cool glow from the lights on the Christmas tree, there is also the smell of fresh pine when I walk into my apartment…..each time I either say or type “my apartment” I cant help but smile really big and it feels great.

This Christmas is going to be much different then the last three. I am no longer on the streets, no longer fist fighting for my things, no longer worried about my HIV care, no longer stressed out and worried about what the next day will bring for me. I have amazing friends in my life, but most of all I have family in my life again and that is such a huge blessing for me.

As I move toward Christmas day I will give thanks and praise God for the favor and awesome mercy he has shown me and moving into the New Year I am only taking people, places and things that are fruitful for my life and my organization. I guess you could say I doing some gardening and making certain that my garden is free from all weeds, so that I can grown a better harvest for the year to come.

Merry Christmas and Happy New