The Tour of the Year: Drunken Legality

 Why, hello there. I'm J.T. and I'll be your tour guide today. Why, yes, I've returned back for another Tour of the Year. I dub thee Drunken Legality. The rules are essentially the same as the last one: Please remember to fasten your seat belts and remain seated at all times. Also, all patrons on this tour must wear face masks or you will be asked to exit and denied access to any further tour rides (even if you were vaccinated). Without further ado, sit back, relax and enjoy the tour.

Let's start off with some legendary moments: to your left, an orange and black painted door, representing the exit of our orange juice colored buddy and entrance of our first melenated female VP.  Chucks and Pearls worn all alike by little chocolate women and girls as we watched the entrance of one of us into the White House, showing just how bad ass a Black woman could really be. But within seen sole days as we celebrated the historical victory of one, we were then mourning the loss of a cinematic mother with so much poise and purpose.  

Our Black History exhibit remains mainly intact with a special , heartfelt addition: a Cameo from an caramel shaded king with a voice as sweet as sugared sliced strawberries drizzled with chocolate syrup. Goodness, could that man take a gal up onto the softest love cloud and she never wished to come down.

That love feeling remained the same as we ventured along a gorgeous green and gold mural , paying homage to number 29. Each number with a special thread woven around it, holding it's creases and cracks in place. A cool breath tickles our necks and ears , a kiss from heaven to live and love for thine self  💋

Of course , with one garden coming into full bloom , another had withered away and crumbled. The demise of a rap legend and two young queens pre-prime had dampered the light hearted mood present. Heaven's angels had spilled waterfalls of tears over the three lost souls via glittery blade, white cloud or their own volition in question. Tears were also shed in victory over the man with the crushed windpipe,  a collective sign of relief as the word GUILTY rings out on the TV displaying the long awaited trial.

O-H! Somebody peep the lottery numbers in Ohio State colors??? Yeah, that's your potential prizes for getting a vaccine with even MORE speculation surrounding it than the Kardashians on their best day. Damned if we get stuck and damned if we don't.

On a higher note: we have a capsule lying at our feet. Now what I ask of you all to do is to think of one thing that you are choosing to fully release and surrender unto the heavens' angels . It can be a person, a item, even emotion alike. Regardless, sacrifice is required for this growth to occur. Drop whatever you're releasing and surrendering into the capsule, as we will bury it and lead our lives forward.

Making it half way through tour and accomplishing any feat set in our way, the hues shift suddenly to a sombered blue hue. 7 crashes of thunder severed the silence, raindrops flooding the soles of our feet, angel wings sprouting up like fresh produce seedlings erupting from the ground. Actresses, rap legends , childhood friends alike: none were seemingly safe from a visit from the angel of Death 💔 and did she certainly wear me out feeling all of it.

But even with those lives untimely completed, out came a sweet preview of a love to come. A strapping young brother from the nation's capital and a lovely lady from the Hall of Fame City had been growing closer for some time. A bond between the two young melanites pure hearted and rare, like they simply got each other like none else had. A friendship that had the great potential of becoming something much more than either could imagine. An opportunity came about for the two to meet face to face, the lass not taking no from anyone for an answer. A short solo trip to a place paying homage to Black Excellence and her inner child while she literally was drunken off of Black Girl Magic brought about a comfortable and cozy comfort between her and the strapping man. In sweet serenade and comical conversation, she further felt the comfort she received from his spirit man the year before. 

But then, who would have guessed that impromptu magic would be followed a steady downward alteration of family as I knew it?? In a matter of about 90 days time, I had suffered two great losses: one in a more so emotional sense, the other in a physical sense.  

You'll probably wonder: why two sets of butterfly wings on the wall?? Well in 48 hours' time, my grandfather gains his angel wings and a sisterly trust had been severed deepened in pain, tainted with death's signature tone of black. Not even the heavenly vocals of Deneice Williams could undo the damage done.  The blood that gave both its lives was washing down the drain with every salted tear drop that mine eyes poured out. Helpless was only the tip of the feeling iceberg you see floating in the pond on your right. Yet as difficult as it was, I had to let go of the proverbial hands off these losses , entrusting that somehow,  it would work out for the best. Oh , do you see it coming?? Not one or a few, but 55 pearl white butterflies begin to glow as they fly towards us. Blanco flor----the most delicate breed of butterfly to be. We must be VERY careful when handling them. One too swift move and their wings can easily crush under the pressure. One lands on my cheek, it's kiss as a reminder that the love shared wasn't quite ready to die. 

We have finally reached  the final stretch of our tour... more losses , unfortunately await us: one altering family even more, another altering Black love and another altering the entire Earth. In between, a pierced nose montage swarms in the background, a faint scent of Black Opium lingering in the air. The reflection of broken wedding rings and a flickering 100 sign glimmers in the turquoise water where the hummingbirds drink from. .

WHEW......you survived yet another Tour of the Year. Please watch your  step as you exit, and feel free to take the complimentary Covid memorabilia. Thank you for joining me , and I pray I see you all again next year.