What's at stake...No Potatoes

We are impacted…

By the magnificent landscapes we see, the well-designed bridges we cross and the paved roads we typically drive, bike, skate, walk or even crawl on. Yet we fail to acknowledge the many that paved the way literally and the lives lost while doing it.

While driving alone…

and doing a across country trip from NYC to California.

Yes, in the midst of COVID, I passed through several states and the one that left an imprint was COLORADO, a mountainous state with picturesque views, steep highways, and not-so-great drivers (someone rear-ended me on the highway…that’s another story).

While driving on I-70W, with ease and gasping while staring at the huge mountains, a thought popped up… one being, ha! a particular person was scared I could get kidnapped while on my cross-country journey.

But there I was, I was more concerned with the signs stationed near the base of the mountains that read, “be careful of falling rocks.”

That scared the hell out of me… If there’s anything I am afraid of…it’s her. When has mother nature ever say, “Oops, I’m sorry.”

As I continued to drive…

while looking up every now and then for falling rocks…I had another thought; a quick flashback to the news about the plane crash of LaMia flight 2933 with the Brazilian football squad and they had to eat some of the dead corpse (dead teammates and associates that died in the crash) to stay alive.

Though the crash took place in Columbia when I see mountains… that situation pops up and the thoughts of, “What would I do?” umm..

Then my thought shifted once more, and I was in a state of gratitude…appreciating how many lives were lost, so I can gain access.  You might be thinking, access to what?   Just access. 

So many times, we can take for granted so many things from food being in a grocery store and our biggest concern is what should I eat?  When I am referring to  ACCESS…

I am…

speaking about, the access to drive with ease from one state to another and the many lives that paved the way and lost theirs along the way. 

The native Americans that once occupied the space and many that lost their lives, even those that traveled for the Gold Rush... (now quite sure how they made it), and the demolitions that moved mountains literally.

 This led me to ponder about life, and many use the phrase, “I’m a self-made millionaire.” “I, did this,” and “I did that.”  There is no such thing. 

I will not remove your responsible and the steps you took to get you on your path and at the same time, you did not do it alone.  Others existed before you and I.

Many have demolition a way so we can have ACCESS to a seat at the table, create your own table, and choose not to sit if you so decide to stand. 

In this time of celebrating Black history and women history. I want to say, “Thank you.” Though some names are mentioned more frequently than others… during this time.

I want to thank you all both past and present for the small and giant steps you have taken, that lead us this far. 

Thank you for giving us ACCESS and may we do the same for others; for life is not a destination but a JOURNEY.