i'd like to return to tha cl-- to tha cl-- to tha classic

i consider my upbringing most fortunate, for i was raised in a house of love, good homecooked food, and the best music from 60s and 70s, which was never further away than the flip of a swtich. from inexplicable extended family cookouts where we would all inevitably dance the freak or the electric slide, to sitting 'round the kitchen, before, during, and after dinner, radio blasting all the while. it's actually sad i started to let go of that the older i grew and more "independent" i thought i was.
fortunately, as much as i sought independence, family trips to see our extended family still brought us together for a good 3 hours each way. that was plenty of time to grow bored with whatever handheld i brought to pass the time, and to lose myself in family conversation and "slow jams and solid gold oldies." i began to associate my grandparents with good music and big smiles, as much as i claimed i hated the patronization and small talk stemming from our visits.

a few years ago, a dear one aroused my interest in Dean Martin. as my affinity for his music grew, i also caught wind of Frank Sinatra's work. also moving. last night -slash- this morning, my old roommate (wow it's odd saying that) sent me a cover of a Sinatra classic, "Bang Bang." check it out if you can. it's beautiful. the cover got me to look into the Sinatra performance. sexy. and thus began my day's throwback appreciation.

i had the pleasure of catching the end of Dazz Band's "Let it Whip" when moving the truck from behind my mother's car earlier today. twas grand; a portal back to the first time i truly listened to the lyrics and immersed myself in the club scene the song depicts. i longed for that then, as i did today. it was just what i needed to set off my morning. the rest of my day was pretty chill. some chores, a little job hunting, some interpersonal interest. twas a good day. then, on the way back home, i just happened to catch a song which transported me back to the first day of my sophomore year in college. we'd just moved into our dorm room, and one of my suitemates was spamming the chorus to that "get out my face" soulja boy song. i knew from that moment it would be a great year. the song was hilarious then, as was it the moment i identified the song on the radio. i sunk my head, shaking it as i turned up the volume - almost ashamed how much i enjoyed the ludicrously vernacular song.

after arriving home, i was pretty pumped. however, due to internal conditions, i found my energy levels wavering. most surprisingly, in instinctively climbed over the arm of the couch and curled up on the cushion next to my mother. closing my eyes, i gradually stretched my head out onto her lap. her hand rubbing my shoulder, my consciousness lasted no more than a few minutes. just before my lapse into lighter realms, i thought back a few summers to when similar conditions crippled my body. at an all time low, i curled up on my mother's lap and she lulled me to sleep as she had done so many years prior. i realize again, as i did that summer, just how much solace one's "family" can provide.
i denote "family" as i do because there are an infinite number of "family" compositions a person can find and come to identify as his or her own. i consider mine to extend past my parents and sister, out to those extended family members who played a considerable role in shaping me, and those select few who, though in no way are related to me (at least as far as i'm aware), have been there to support my growth and stability; to keep me going, and to nurture my own nurturing.

i honestly believe my "family" will always be all i need to keep going. though at times we may be zones apart, i know they will eternally be found in my corner. i must never neglect my roots if i hope to truly blossom.

for the past two months, i've been stuck on classic hip hop stylings. it just feels good. so excuse me while i revel in some more feel good vibes to accompany my story-writing and illustrating.
take care!