Wednesday.

Haha, I didn't do much today, so I guess I don't have much to talk about. This is turning out to be a very long summer if I do say so myself. I've been doing some secretary work for my father, and have been having people call me and spill their souls about their current parental issues. They talk about things like child support, custody rights, lawyer fees, halfway homes etc. It's really sad stuff, but I can't help but think to myself that, it's not really sad. I don't know how sinister it is for me to say that these are responsibilities that these people have decided to engage, and that I can only hope that they thought about the severity of taking on a life. A child is more than just an accessory, they're a human life. It's not just feeding them every day and washing them every week, like one would with a pet. While this all seems like common sense, you wouldn't believe some of the stuff that I hear. Of course, I'm not allowed to divulge anyone's information, not would I want to, but after a while it starts to make one thing. I'm not trying to preach to anyone, because life is a beautiful thing, but at least be ready to accept the responsibility. Perhaps I'm just not ready for that sort of thing in my life now, but that doesn't mean others are not as well. I got word that a friend of mine from childhood recently had a child, simply because she wanted to. I thought it was a really spectacular thing to embrace, but at the same time I couldn't help but think to myself that I can't see myself doing the same thing. Moreover, my cousin recently was married just a few months ago, a cousin that is just a year two months older than myself. Again, a beautiful thing, but is it too soon? Perhaps we're in the stage of our lives that we are rushing to grow up, and show our significance from our adolescent counterparts. A man is defined by his actions, so does that mean we have to do adult things to be considered adults? It's a scary thought, but it's something that we have to face. Having a family isn't going to happen by sitting around and thinking about it. Perhaps my friends and family are just ready to start that stage in their lives, and I love them for it. I can appreciate their strength and I can admire their perseverance. 

Father and Daughter
Photo by The Satorialist

Well, that's all I really have to say for today. Maybe I'll have something more beneficial to say tomorrow. Haha.

Sunday.

Today I went to my Aunt's house. There, my Father, my Aunt and I looked through a scrapbook she had put together which composed much of the Vincent family history. It was an amazing moment for me. It was the first time I was wearing about, let alone seeing many of the people that are responsible for my existence. The Vincent family is nothing short of incredible. My aforementioned grandfather is just a portion of something that is simply awe-inspiring. Hopefully it's something that I inherit as well. Aside from being a horde of 'swanky' ladies and gentlemen, the most enjoyable portion of the trip into the past was getting a chance to see my late grandmother once again. Before her passing, I had known my grandmother to be one of the wittiest, funniest, loving and sarcastic people I knew. To this day I don't know anyone who could make me smile more. However, today I learned that aside from her ensnaring personality she was absolutely breathtaking in her youth. Now, I've seen my fair share of women in these twenty-two years, but I can honestly say that my grandmother was one of the most gorgeous women I've ever seen. From pictures of her and my grandfather out on the town, to the home photos of her dressed down, wearing her massive bifocals, she never ceased amazing me. With a woman as bright and beautiful as Donna Jean Sanders, to have been married to a man as cool and charismatic as Virgil Vincent, really gives me hope. Though here's the kicker: My grandparents were born in the early portion of the 1900s. Having married in the 30's, the couple was composed of a black man, and a white woman. That means a marriage of 70+ years. Though of course, we know that while bodies may pass, love like that doesn't. In my eyes, the two are still happily married.


To just imagine that sort of bond that a couple could hold during a time where black men were being killed just for looking at a white woman! To only imagine the constant threat of death, towards my grandfather; The risk of being disowned that my grandmother took, were nothing but risks that the two were willing to take. Such is the cost of love. While their marriage gives me hope, it saddens me that I'll never find a woman like my grandmother. She was truly one of a kind. 

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other. - Audrey Hepburn

I guess I don't have much else to say for today's post. Don't be afraid to take risks for love. Despite the many ups and downs that you will no doubt face, it's all worth it. There is absolutely nothing like love. Not a thing in the world.