SINGING FOR YOU..rest in PARADISE

Thursday was the day I would leave for my first trip away with the girls. NO PARENTS, NO RULES, NO RESPONSIBILITIES but to keep myself safe. It was for the celebration for my girl, partner in vocal damage, and close friend Lyrik for her 19th birthday (go check out her blog: goldiva.blogspot.com). We were heading to Myrtle Beach in the gloomiest of weather that was forshadowing the mood I would later find myself in. When arriving at the hotel, we paid our fees and went up to the room to change into something cute, tight, but loose enough to get our grub on in. Just let it be known that we love to eat and shut the Hard Rock down! It was the most gorgeous place I have seen inside and out with the structure of a pyriamid. Later that night came the movie Last House on The Left which was a great movie by far. With full stomachs and captivating images of nice weather, shopping expedition, and guys we would meet on our trip sleep took over.

I know I am not dreaming when I hear Day 26's "Stadium Music" instrumental coming from my phone at 7:28 in the morning. I ignore the phone call quickly hitting the button to turn the sound off only be hear a new song playing in my ear two seconds later. Whoever had the balls to call my phone that early must have had to tell me something urgent, so I check and it's my grandmother. I call back as I was standing on the balcony of the hotel for her to give me some crushing news. My Uncle Butch had just passed away that morning. I stood in shock not knowing what to do with myself. I just looked at my phone and tried my best to keep my voice from cracking. She asked, "T, are you okay?" And I gave her the simpliest answer I could muster up. "Yes." The last time I saw him it was because of a funeral this past summer and now the next time and last time I will see him will be at his. We talked about coming to visit him in California, about him being in VA for my sister's graduations this June, the last family reunion, my Grand Daddy, Uncle Carlos, and all the other good times we shared with them on this Earth. I called my mom. I had to break the news to her but it felt like I was hearing it for the first time all over again. Immediately, I started crying as my mom said a prayer. Though I couldn't understand what she was saying because of my crying, I knew it would make a difference. Plus at that moment my friends were right beside me rubbing my back letting me know I was going to be okay. Got of the phone, wiped my face, and enter back into the hotel room. For a good minute in time, I sat and just stared at the ceiling wondering why would this, no how could this happen now? My friends entered behind me and sat in the midst of my silence with me until I broke it with a "Happy Birthday Britt." With that, I started my daily morning rituals and sang a song. He, along with my Grand Daddy and Uncle Carlos wouldn't want me crying. They would want me singing. And I know they are singing for me right now.