Whew.
The Psalmist Aaliyah said, “Just dust ya’self off, and try again”, and boy did I.
My God.
Alright, so back in January the Lord let me know that it was time for another event. I said now holdddd ittt, cause ya girl was instantly triggered. TRIGGERED.
The last event I hosted was two years ago. I was 3 months into a new wave of grandparent grief, a FRESH breakup, another physical transition, working a full-time job, and trying to finish the first degree. Needless to say, a breakdown was brewing (and if you’ve been around long enough, you know that the breakdown did in fact occur that April.).
Anyhow, though the event was successful, I was running literally on fumes. It took everything I had to pull it together, as I had been crying for days. DAYS.
But even with the trigger, and feeling all of those feels from the past… I knew God meant business about this next event.
Within a few weeks, I texted my girls who were local and abroad, to ask them if they would block off a date for me; they obliged.
The Lord gave me the concept, the venue was secured, and I went to designing the flyer.
Shew.
Ya’ll... I posted the link for guests to secure tickets on a Saturday, by Tuesday morning I had to turn off the link because we had exceeded capacity.
I was stunned.
The girlies were locked in, and the ones who couldn’t come were prepared to sponsor tickets if we needed it. I just… I was not ready for that response.
I decided to keep the décor and esthetic simple, because I wanted the focus of this gathering to be connection and conversation. We were hosting a brunch, and I just… I just didn’t want it to feel like any other event they’ve ever attended.
By the time we got to event week, chile… We were in the middle of a 3-day spontaneous (spirit-led) revival at my church. NOW LORD?! You know this is my
prep week, why would you snatch 3 of my days?!?
*Violent tongues*
What a failed to remember was the fact that I had already communicated all the needs, tasks, etc to ensure this event went off without a hitch. I had already enlisted help, I’d already prepared the “need to know” infographic, countdown graphics, etc. The only thing left was for ME to get ready, cause by Thursday (two days before the event), I still didn’t have anything to wear.
Hallelujah you’re worthy.
The morning of the brunch, I was like… in this weird calm, kinda eery space. I was moving slow, no real excitement, just coasting, while I watched “encouraging” and “celebratory” texts flood my phone from my village.
I just didn’t know how the day would go. Mind you, this is my first EVER event in Memphis, and though I’ve lived here for almost two years… I didn’t know how they’d receive this new concept.
I was scheduled to be at the venue at 2:30 pm, and due to a last minute stop I was 10 minutes behind. But when I pulled up, I called one of my teammates to let her know I was there. She sent one of my security guys (thank God for brothers) to come get things out of my car. When I walked into the restaurant, I found help. The room was filled with smiling faces ready, and awaiting instructions. My whole body exhaled, and I knew we’d be okay.
We finished setup and prep within 15 minutes, leaving me time to take pictures, and love on my girls before being the “host”.
When we opened the doors to start, the girlies came flooding in with their synchronized colors, smiling faces, and “hey girl” greetings. (I was beaming)
Here was the catch, there was assigned seating.
You weren’t able to go in and sit by the woman you knew the best, or the one you were most comfortable with. The Lord and I had already created a seating chart. But at each table was a deck of “conversation cards”, to help cultivate connection.
I anxiously walked around each table to see if anybody looked uncomfortable, or felt “weird”… but I found myself being shooed back to my seat. (chuckles)
The girlies were fine, they were laughing, they were fighting back vulnerable tears, they were hugging, taking selfies, and being present for one another.
All I could do was exhale a few “Thank Yous” to the ultimate curator, my God.
The day was perfect, with minimal hiccups.
*happy sigh*
What if I had let my trauma hold me hostage from trying again?
My Lord.
Talk soon,
Racq