SUNDAY

As I am getting dressed at 10:00 in the morning on Sunday, my stomach is growling and the only thing that I can think of is how hungry I am. I try not to go in the kitchen because I know once I open the refrigerator; I will fill my belly with junk food that will spoil my taste buds for the big dinner this evening. The least favorite part about today is that I actually have to help prepare the food. When I was younger, I had to do nothing but taste test! Now I have to cook my famous Mac-N-Cheese as my ma calls it. It’s a simple recipe but she can never seem to get it quite like mine! Noodles, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, a cup of milk mixed with one egg is all you need.

I finally arrive at my parent’s house at noon. I have to stay on their strict schedule in order for the food to be ready in time, by the time every one arrives (Sisters, nieces & Nephews). We usually celebrate with immediately family on smaller holidays, unlike Thanksgiving. When I walk in I feel scorching heat like I am arriving in Las Vegas in the summer or something. It’s the oven that’s been on, all night cooking the big juicy Turkey and the three pound ham that’s covered in cloves. There is the Oldies music station playing in the kitchen and I hear the T.V. in the backroom, most Sunday dinners consist of either a football or basketball game day. The counters are filled with ingredients from olives to cabbage. I try to mentally prepare myself for the long day ahead of grouchiness just because everyone hungry and they don’t want to wait (no patients!). Actually now that I think about it, I’m full before the food is even ready. Since I am in the kitchen, I get the opportunity to sneak bites here and there, filling me up unknowingly!

The feast is DONE! Everyone is here. Telling jokes about everyday life and catching up. The dining table is set. We have 10 entrees laid across lined up as if it were a buffet (Ham, Turkey, Mac, Cabbage soup, Deviled eggs, Potato salad, Mac-N-Cheese, Baked Beans, Greens, and lastly yams!) A whole day’s work went into this delicious feast. Not only do we cook, we create memories and keep our family Sunday dinners going week after week!

COMMUNITY

Basketball is a community. As the sweats trickles down my face, I reach to grab a dry towel from the pile of towels that have yet come to absorb the sweat from my fellow teammates sweat seeping pores. Gasping for air a sweat drop finds its way on my tongue. Tasting the flavor of determination, I stand by eight other females who have that same taste lurking in their buds. We are all hoping to get that last huge bite of “25-0”. Passing the ball left to right and right to left through defenders, gripping the ball as if it was a baby, protecting it so no one can take away our sense of worth. Bashing through the wall of defenders, an overcoming adrenaline rush travels from head to toe, releasing all the stress in life I once had. Anytime I was a little tense the time to release my uneven energies was against our rivalry. All of the girls became physical when it came to finals time!

Basketball is a community. As coach calls a time out we all run to the sideline like a pack of animals getting ready to feed. As we gather all of our eyes focus on the draw board, focusing on all the ideas coach throws as at so we don’t loose our sense of stability. A whistle blows, our hands meet in the center of the circle gathering as one. Each one of our hands sends a vibration of wanting and needing through our bodies one by one to win this game. Uniformity floats in the air. Dirty looks, flying elbows, and hustle from the opposing team threaten to discover our differences. Causing tension to linger in our muscles .The score reads 45-45. Words exchange from player to player with the same anxiety that will soon determine our true togetherness. As the ball rolls my finger tips high into the air, my eyes close, and my vision of my basketball community flashes in front of me. A vision of a community that accepts me, challenges me, shares values with me and finally depends on me to do my part. “SWISH” the ball falls into the hoop to complete the last shot possible for the win. Smiles, joy, and fulfillment overcome the gym as we jump up and down with not a worry in the world. This proves, we are a community.-

What's in My Wallet Purse?

I never thought that the contents of my wallet purse could build such a bright image of my identity in some one's mind other than my own. I guess that is why when I lost my wallet purse for the first time, my stomach churned with butterflies as if I were getting ready to give a long speech in front of thousands. I am a very shy person so as I was sitting at home, twiddling my thumbs thinking,"What does that person think about me? Do they really care?" As time goes by my saliva becomes thicker in my throat as i remember that I had my last 20 dollars in that wallet purse.

"Uh Oh!", said the cashier frowning down at my wallet purse.
"That young lady forgot her belongings". As she pages me across the intercom again and again, there was no reply.She reaches in and grabs my cell phone, hoping to find a home phone number to contact me."Oh, look how cute her two little children are..she must have strong family values or never at home to see her children as much as she would like." She scrolls further and further down to find nothing but business and school numbers."Maybe she is lonely and too career driven? I barely see any family or friend numbers." It's no use so she puts the phone down.

"Wow this young lady like to shop!" She pulls out multiple receipts, checking to see if there is any kind of information that might help her locate me.Coming across one credit card and one ATM card she assumes I am in debt with creditors but that I have plenty of money in the bank.No luck she keeps digging."she opens up the check book to find multiple checks written out for post-dated amounts for unpaid bills," Hmm she seems very financially stable, unlike I thought.!"

Only two things left to grab to reach the created identity of myself. She looks at the large size toothbrush and toothpaste, passing it up but the pauses to say to herself," She must have braces! Nobody brushes their teeth that much!" She giggles to herself, reminicing when she had to brush after anything she ate! At the bottom of my purse she found my work badge, with my full name and Fred Meyer Pharmacy boldy across the front.She quickly grabbed a phone book to call right away.

" Fred Meyer Pharmacy, Leticia speaking.How may I help you?" she paused, asking me to repeat my name. " I have your wallet purse!" she stated unexpectedly. My heart skipped a beat.In the back of my head still thinking, "Did she take my last 20 dollars?"

I think the only thing that she missed was my profile. I had no Driver's license or ID to be found.There was no way of her knowong my age, physical features, or address. Do you want to know why? I always forget it at home !