If you know me, you know how much I love having company and
hosting others. The God who created me
is aware of my heart’s desires and arranged for Chai to come to San Antonio on
business, right on time. The last time I
served Chai in my home was while she was still carrying Sweet Samorai. And although it had been a mere 3 days since
I’d last seen them in Memphis, I was excited to have them visit us here.
October 14, 2016
Naysia suggested we have Chicken Alfredo that night. Upon my arrival from work that afternoon we
hurried to cook and clean to prepare for the visit. Chai texted when they landed and true to
self, I wasn’t even on the road yet.
Luckily we only live 4 miles from the airport. I parked in front of the Southwest Airline
sign while Naysia got out the car to find Chai.
Within seconds Chai and her co-worker/entourage emerged thru the
crowd. The fellas she traveled with, who
are also fathers, were helpful in getting the car loaded with all things baby. Within minutes we were on our way to 2207.
Chai has a way about using words mightily, beautifully to
express how she feels and what she sees.
#goals. In her sweetness, she walked thru our apartment and spoke elegant words about the placement of items, new and old. What a blessing! We had dinner in the living room, talked as
if we hadn’t seen each other in ages, and of coursed I swooned over
Samorai. We didn’t stay up too late as
we both had business to tend to the next day.
For the next two days we had an equal balance of work and rest. Chai dropped me off and took the car during the day. Naysia and Samorai spent the days together and in the evening, we did what we do best-talk about everything. Motherhood, daughters, politics, family, friends, relationships, the past, the future, Fiesta del Amor, in laws and the lack of, money and the lack of, traveling, shopping and food. I could not get enough of holding, snuggling and loving on Samorai. While it isn’t posted here I put on a riveting remix production of Guns & Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine”—my version was titled “Sweet Samorai."
October 15, 2016
As a big city, surprisingly, one of the things that San
Antonio lacks is an African American Museum.
That’s how Chai ended up here.
She and her crew were invited to meet with folks in town that are trying
to make the dream of a museum a reality.
One of the gentleman who’s behind the project is Mr. George Frederick. Mr. Frederick is a graduate of the
University of Hard Knocks. He’s taken
his experience with God, drugs, both selling and using, womanizing and hustling
and developed The Hope House. Seated in
a prime location in downtown SA, his prayer is that the land that he owns will
be the site of a future museum. We spent
the morning touring the Hope House, meeting his wife and colleagues, listening
in on a life history of one of SA’s first owners of a Black newspaper, and
sitting at the table while Mr. Frederick dropped knowledge. At the end of our time together we exchanged
information. I believe I haven’t seen the last of Mr. Frederick and the Hope
House.
Upon leaving we made our way to Grayze on Grayson. I've been following them on Instagram for months and it exceeded my expectations. Starter, The Mac: Gruyere, white cheddar,
mozzarella, fontina and caramelized onion.
One bowl, two spoons, inhaled!
Drinks: Cider and Italian soda.
Main, Chai had the Home on the Range Burger: bison, smoked bleu cheese,
fried onion, lettuce, chipotle roasted tomato, mushrooms, aioli. I had the Grayze burger: toasted Challah bun,
freedom cheese, lettuce, tomato and a fried egg. We split an order of delectable Ma Frittes
and in the end, took half our food home and was too full for dessert. Service was great and the food was
greater. I can hardly wait to return!
We meandered through Alamo Heights and were in awe of the
beauty of the homes around us. There was
an architectural home tour taking place.
We wanted to walk through the featured homes but declined once we
learned the tickets were $35/each.
An afternoon nap was in order and I took full advantage. Nightfall was soon upon us and downtown we went. The moon was full, bright, and hypnotic! As we approached the Alamo Plaza we saw a massive amount of people-and bikes. Taking place nearby was the first ever Red Bull Last Stand bike race. Just as we got close enough to hear the announcer, he announced a rider that hailed from Tucson, Arizona! Coincidence? I think not. We cheered for our hometown stranger, walked as close as we could to the Alamo, watched the race, laughed at the man in the dinosaur costume and was intrigued Jesus walking the grounds wrapped in an American flag.
Naysia and Chai took the San Antonio River tour while
Samorai and I looked for shelter indoors as it was an awfully humid night. We found a place in the Hilton to cool off
and talk to strangers. It wasn’t long
before we reunited. As we strolled to Main
Plaza we stopped for a street dog; Chai was kind enough to
share. I’ve eaten a lot of busted
wienies in my day-not only was the hot dog delicious but beautiful too! I’ll be seeing him again. The last stop for the night was in front of
the San Fernando Cathedral. Lucky me,
standing with my daughter, sister and niece on a bright night watching a light
show projected on the face of the cathedral, telling the story of the city I’m
loving more and more. 
October 16, 2016
It happened so fast!
Our last day together was here. I
had several things lined up for us to do.
And none of them happened. First
up was finding a food truck that was selling lobster rolls. Chai and I took off and left Naysia and Sam
asleep in my bed. I got lost. We ended up downtown, driving in the wrong
lane. Time to catch the truck was
running out so we opted for the Historic Marketplace. A health fair was taking place. As a nurse, you’d think I’d be all about
that—instead we searched for churros and souvenirs. We ran
errands to T-Mobile and North Star Mall.
In between we ran home, freaked out because the girls had slept way too long
and rounded out our night with Luke Cage, music, face masks and Snap Chat.
October 17, 2016
Morning came too soon.
Chai and Samorai were on the first flight out. Goodbyes are tough, but I
smile knowing we’ll see one another again soon.
“Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply
by being there for each other”
Carol Saline
No comments:
Post a Comment