the dope cactus

I’ve been really trying to process the fact that another one of my friends has passed away. Another wonderful soul I was privileged to have met in Houston. Cecilia and I were just ‘friends’ on Twitter until I attended the Margarita Fest with some college friends and I saw who I thought was her standing in line. I remember introducing myself and instantly I felt welcomed and like I had made a new friend.

I must admit that mostly everyone I became friends with in Houston I met online (more than likely on Twitter). I haven’t lived in any other cities with a large Black population so I can’t say how their community is but Houston Twitter is full of comedy and camaraderie. I think that’s why Houston has such a special place in my heart and why losing Cecilia is taking a toll on us all.

Cecilia was younger than me by just a few months but she was always such an inspiration. She was the adult I wanted to be. She literally seemed like she had it all together but life happens to us all. I hate that losing parents is what drew us even closer together but I do find comfort in being able to be an outlet for those mourning the loss of a parent(s).

Almost everything she did business-wise as of lately she’d immediately consult me. I’d be confused because I hadn’t felt like I’d really accomplished anything. She literally saw in people what we couldn’t see in ourselves. And she honed into it to make us better. I will miss that but I read a quote yesterday that really resonated with me.

Be the things you loved most about the people who are gone.

That is precisely what I’m going to do. It will bring me great joy to be able to uplift and pour into my friends and family the way Cecilia poured into us. Her spirit will live on. And may her soul rest in paradise where I believe she’s been reunited with her parents. While we mourn her here on Earth, I know wherever she is she is being loved on and getting an excessive amount of hugs. I’m sure she’s cracking jokes too.

I wish she was still here. I wish I could call her today. She has transitioned into the next stage of her existence as apart of God’s plan and I have to accept that. The Yellow Bandit will live on forever and ever. And we may be going about our day and a memory of her will pop in our heads. It may make us cry and it may make us laugh. But Cecilia will remain apart of our lives because she was a real one. The realest of the real. And it sucks to think about doing life without her.

Now go listen to a Stevie Wonder or Mac Dre song in her honor. I know she would love that. And go have some crab legs too. We got you boo 💛