Dirty 30, Part Deux AKA Puffy's New Rule Tour

Yesterday I returned home safely from my 30th birthday cruise with the JHU Crew. (Well, some of them...) In 2008, many of the class born in 1978 turn 30. Unlike most women who are embarrassed about getting older, we are fully embracing it. 29 was quite a stressful year full of lots of surprises (Chicago! Seminary! car accident. flood.) and so the breakthrough of 30 was a blast.

It started with a Thursday trip to NY to see Lalah Hathaway at the B.B. King Grill (Thanks Tami!) before my birthday. On my birthday, I slept late and got good phone calls. One from my student 'nephew' calling to tell me he was graduating and dropping the bomb that I had been chosen guest speaker at Young Achievers 8th grade graduation. I wasn't going to be at graduation but I promised I would figure it out. (Can't disappoint kids when they choose you.) Then I was taken out to a hibachi-style Japanese restaurant, followed by some Cold Stone Creamery with Kristin. (There is a rumor that I was on Brookline Avenue flashing people, but this is not true. If I was, I was showing people what 30 is supposed to look like. Since I did not get caught, photographed, or arrested...no offense taken and no evidence of such vicious lies scandalizing my good name.) That night I had to write 2 sermons for Sunday so the celebration had to be on hold. The Sunday after my birthday Kalya bought me a cupcake to church with at puppy? teddy bear? on it. It got squished between church services so I'm not sure which one. And my best friend from middle/high school (Charletta) showed up in church on a business trip and gave me pics of the twins. I had to preach two sermons, and the Body Odor sermon got some good response. There was even Febreze in the place. (yeah God!) And that Monday afterward, and JASA (Just A Sister Away- Young Women's Ministry at Bethel AME Boston) surprised me with cupcakes. Suffice it to say, I was feeling much love.

I decided I wanted to go race car driving and get some things checked off my 30 things to do the year of 30. That will be in July after things get boring. You're all invited...but bring your own money and a driver's license.

Monday I got a passport in 5 hours. (Finally a good thing about Boston.) Wednesday I spent writing this speech for the YA children and setting the stage for my invisible voice. Then I left on Thursday for a cruise with the JHU crew. 5 ladies. 4 days. 1 island. Lots of opportunity for sun and fun. And that is what we had. I have a collection of sexy and inappropriate t-shirts, so I took all of them. I didn't have cell phone service (Did you know that church teens and school jobs can send text messages to boats or find you in Nassau? They are trying to rival divine omnipresence.) and didn't make any decisions. Ribs or Salmon? Both. Ice cream? Yes. Fermented liquids? Yes. A tattoo? Sure. Two-piece? Definitely. I need proof of this one.

Proof I have, but pictures you will probably not see. Now I have just a couple tan lines separating the before 30 TJones from the after 30 TJones. Sore legs from dancing, another new nickname, almost allnighters, after dinner naps that turn into bedtime, bursting out into song and doing the macarena in line boarding the ship but watching other people karaoke the last night, and a endless list of quotes. This is now the summer of toasted cinnamonness, prohibition of _____a__ness, and Facebook secret codes with friends of 12 years. Isn't it good to be old enough to have friends for double digit years? Isn't it even better when college boys don't believe you when you tell the truth about your age? Definitely got to hit the gym...cause 40 is coming and I want a do over.

"If you can find it, you can have it." ---Anonymous but infamous

Medicine and Cheerleaders

So this year I decided to do something on New Year's Eve. Mind you, I got sick the day after Christmas and was eventually diagnosed with sinusitis and bronchitis, so I was still sick on New Year's Eve. One of the side effects of all that was intermittent laryngitis, so I didn't even sound normal. Suffice it to say, I was in no condition for a major party.

I went to look for a little healing. After some conversational bonding with my dad, I hit the road at six pm on the way to Baltimore. Sometimes you can predict where your healing will come from, and this time it wasn't physical healing that was most important. Antibiotics make breathing less painful, and coughing less frequent, but spiritual and emotional balms were what was going to wrap up the last year and set me in a good space for the next year.

10 p.m. --After four hours of driving, some tips on where the Baltimore family is, and I sit in WatchNight Service surrounded mostly by people I don't know, but hearing the voice of one who encouraged my spirit weekly and periodically for years. I couldn't sing any of the songs because I didn't have a voice, but my voice wasn't the one that was important. I sat beside a lady who looked like my deceased godmother. After service, the hoarseness gave me away. "Let me give you a hug. School good? You know, there are such things as trains. You could ride those instead of driving all over the country. Be careful and take care of yourself. Steward your body." Spirit medicine! Check.

12:30 a.m. I went to my church home in Baltimore. Two little birdies had told me that they were eating after service, a la Miss Clusty. So I drove over, and as I walked into the sanctuary, the two birds were cheering with excitement. Hugs, kisses, compliments, questions, and encouragement. Mostly, "You look great! You sound terrible. Go get some food." I stand in line, and Miss Clusty says,"When did you get here?"---"10 minutes ago"---"Oh, you sound horrible. Give the baby two helpings of collards, chicken, and beans. We got to run the cold out of her and bring in the new year right!" And then I got some food for my body and love from the Payne family. One hour of old stories, congratulations, hugs without fear of germs, and funny looks from kids who were knee high when I left that went berserk when they figured out who it was. I got caught in a conversation telling my call story to a couple who were not surprised, and was reminded again of how unbelievable yet phenomenal my life path is. The husband says as he walks me to my car, "We look forward to hearing from you, but we are excited to hear about you." She blows kisses from the window. There is something about going somewhere where the people are always excited to see you. Stomach and Heart medicine. Check.

2:30 a.m. --I go the my room at the Westin (thanks Daddy!) with a full belly, warmed heart, Word-wrapped-like-gauze spirit, and go to sleep in the Heavenly Bed. Truly, this is G-d's doing.

The next day, I visit a model family, raincheck a Wii tournament with the kids, and check in with the mom and dad.

4p.m. --Get some Chick-Fil-A and Ethiopian for the road, and receive multiple calls from all those angels that knew I was sick and driving from Baltimore to Boston. They talked me home. (thanks Mom!)

12:15a.m. I'm walking into my apartment after 8 hours on the road and two naps where I can't account for not having lost time.

New Year's Day, and I feel my healing as it happens. Now I know for sure that I got cheerleaders if I'm just willing to continue playing God's game.