Winter Vacation in Atlanta

As a independent musician, it's often a challenge to find time or money to go home and visit with family. Add to that a younger brother who now lives in Dallas pursuing his career goals and an older brother who was traveling a lot with his job, and you get a family who doesn't get to see each other all at once very often.

With the economy going the way it's going and anticipation of the new LP release, life itself has been quite a challenge to say the least. With so many things that have gone lacking, the one things I yearned for was to see my family. I turned 26 this year on November 17, and I have to say I have the best friends in the world! We celebrated the ENTIRE month! Yet, my heart still yearned for my family. It's like we as people give so much of ourselves in our day-to-day interactions, especially those of us who are in business for ourselves, leaving one void that only family can fill.

So, not long before my birthday, my mom and I were on the phone, and somewhere in there my birthday came up. Now, I'm not really one to ask for things, even for my birthday, unless I'm down to the wire and I need a bailout. In a way, I usually enjoy the risks and challenges of life, but this was one of those times I needed a bailout. I needed to be bailed out of DC and to Atlanta to spend some quality time with my family, who I had not seen in about a year. So, I said to mom, "Mom, you know what I want for my birthday?" My mom didn't know this, but my eyes were full of tears.

She said, "What?"

I said, "I want to come home."

"When," she asked.

Initially, I wanted to come home for Thanksgiving. Honestly, If I could have gotten on a plane that same day, I would have, but she reminded me that my younger brother was out of town, and a few other family members (who I can't recall right now) would not be around for Thanksgiving. As a performer, my holidays are usually a hectic time to try and take a vacation, but somehow the weeks of Christmas and New Years were wide open!

Anyone comes into their adulthood away from home might say that suddenly returning home to Mom and Dad's house is an interesting situation to say the least. Though I absolutely LOVE my parents, the thrill of my own independence usually calls me back to DC after a few days. However, this time (and last time, to be honest), was so different! Though I was a little upset because I was challenged financially for the entire vacation, there's something soothing about being around a group of people who love you just as much as you love them, despite any shortcomings or achievements.

Though the entire trip was great, there were a few moments that really stood out to me. The first of them was seeing my mom and dad exchange gifts. Stylistically, my parents are exact opposites; my dad is very basic while my mom is tastefully flashy. It was touching to see them acknowledge each other for exactly who they are through their gifts. One of my best friends/manager also joined us for Christmas, and my entire family agrees that she was a fantastic addition to the celebration. I was also introduced to my new favorite game Cranium!! My niece, who is only 6, sang so beautifully for a group of us, and she really commanded the audience's attention. I was so proud of her. My aunt took me to see this incredible band at a place called Arizona's in Lithonia and actually worked me into the set! Right afterward, I rushed over to see another of my best friends and his wife, who I haven't seen in about 6 months, at a jam session. During our sibling outing, the first we've all really been able to do together since we're all separated by three years, except my younger brother, who is four calendar years younger than me, I took up a new hobby, POOL! I also, got to hang with a family friend who I had not seen since he was a toddler, and he's grown to be an INCREDIBLE producer! We actually did some recording together while I was in town. Then, I found out that my mom is good friends with one of my favorite songwriters ever, and she had been in my parents' home for hours before I found out who she was! I think what made the biggest impact on me during my vacation was finding out that my grandfather was not only part of the first integrated troop from the US during the Korean War, but he was also the only African American from Georgia.

Needless to say, this trip was packed with some incredible experiences, and I return to the District refreshed and with a new drive.