August has been a month of extremes.
I started off the month in France while on a family holiday, visiting my best friend and her family in their home town. The perfect word to describe it was, “wholesome”. I had a lovely time, and it was the perfect time to dial down the noise of normal life and focus on what matters most.
Post holiday, it was back to London and back to work. We have an amazing Nubian Beings interview this month, with multi-media artist Caroline Chinakwe. I love her art and her style, and she gave some brilliant advice during our interview. As a serial worrier, I’m going to be working on “cutting out the noise”, which was some advice she shared.
I was able to visit the Yinka Shonibare exhibition “Suspended States” at the Serpentine Gallery, and it didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend it.
“Home to Harlem” by Claude McKay has been on my bedside table this month. I’m new to his writing, but as a long time student of the Harlem Renaissance, it’s about time. I’m moved by his depictions of black life and its many complications in Harlem and the broader world post WWI.
I had a lot of family staying or visiting this month, and that was such a pleasure. I am so grateful for precious moments and creating memories with multiple generations.
The month is ending with a great loss I am still trying to process. I lost a very close family member to cancer very recently, and the pain is very raw. When speaking of my family, I love using the term “generational blessings”. I am so fortunate to have many generational blessings that have impacted my life. Several months ago, in conversation with my dear aunty, I mentioned how much she was part of my generational blessings and how things I do today are directly impacted by the love she showed and her actions throughout my life and especially at a critical juncture in my youth. I’m so happy I got to do that.
In closing this month’s diary, I will say, don’t ever hesitate to make that call or express the love and appreciation you feel for a loved one.
