Dear Summer...

Dear summer, I know you gon' miss me
For we been together like Nike Airs and crisp tees

Well, its that time of year again and Bleek's...well, wait, Jay's banger (side note - why was this on Bleek's CD and why was it the BEST cut on it?!?) is on my mind. Labor Day is around the corner and summer is drawing to a close. This summer has been very interesting and I've learned a lot, but its definitely time to bid a fond farewell to my favorite season.

I mean, it's time for me to grow
You gotta let me go baby, you gotta let me go

I've had to come to terms with some things, make some changes and look at who I am. This wasn't always pleasant or fun, but it was necessary.

This is the summer of my 30th year and I thought this year proved to be sorta like any other....until this summer. I've had to take a long, hard look at myself and those around me. And what I learned was this:

Not everyone is as perfect as I make them out to be. I need to take people OFF of the pedestals I put them on and allow them to just be. It is unreasonable for me to expect others not to make mistakes when I make them ALL the time. The people in my life are human and, shit happens.

On the flip side, I need to hold people and myself accountable for their/my actions. I can no longer brush things under the rug and let things go for the sake of peace and harmony. Some things HAVE to be addressed and more often than not, I'm not so good at that. I think I've gotten marginally better over the summer, but I've got a long way to go.

I have my faults, and at this point I'm not sure they are going to go anywhere, but I am sure I can work to minimize them. I won't expect others to improve unless I do.

I need to be real about some things. Everyone is not my friend and everyone is not meant to be in my life. I need to get better at recognizing that.

I got a good groove and I ain't trying to fuck my thing up

On a less serious note, I've had a BLAST - gotten closer to some phenomenal people, got to go to some great places and rekindled something that may just prove to be special. I've known this for awhile now, but this "monumental" 30th year showed me I have some great people in my life.

But on another note, 'bout to take another vaca'

This summer was NOT all about self evaluation and all that Dr. Phil shit. It was also a blast! Jamaica to DC to NO to Miami to DC...whew. Its time to sit down somewhere and relax a bit!

PIOYH year 3 was great... and I can't WAIT til the new and improved year 4.

DC proved interesting this summer and I allowed myself to get close to someone again. This is hard for me, but you know what, its a good thing, and it has me smiling and looking ahead in ways that I haven't in a VERY long time.

New Orleans was one of my favorite trips, EVER. I got closer to a phenomenal young lady - Ms. O and had a blast with my hispanical friend, who has grown even more dear to me. It was a vacation that won't soon be forgotten.

Miami...wow. I LOVE that city and realized there is no greater thing in life than laughter with friends.

My last visit to DC this summer was an eye opener in a lot of ways. If nothing else, it gave me insight onto a LOT of people in my life. And I don't say that in a negative way at all. I learned a tough exterior doesn't necessarily mean that a person can't or doesn't care. I learned everyone has a breaking point, even the strongest person. I also learned that even if someone is wrong, they don't deserve to be disrespected. I have a new respect for some folks and a new understanding of others. What may have started off shaky proved to be a productive weekend.

And with all of this in the history books...I welcome Fall. Its time to let things go, grow and move on...and embrace whatever the future has in store.

I'm done for now, so one for now
Possibly forever, we had fun together
But like all good things, we must come to an end
Please show the same love to my friends
Dear summer...