“Hang With Me!”

Suffer from abandonment issues!

So, it stands to reason that when my gifted literary idol, Lucius Gantt, proposed to “abandon” writing his highly regarded and prolific articles a couple of months ago, I immediately recoiled as I have an insatiable hunger to read the unabashed and unfiltered viewpoints from this respected warrior.

Needed my George Jackson to stoke the “literary” fires of his Angela Davis!

Needed my “literary” methadone pills because I am addicted to his column as his articles are a part of my weekly detox regiment.

Needed my reincarnated James Baldwin and Richard Wright to continue giving a candid “voice” via his critical critiques as it pertains to humanity and especially about black folks.

Needed his narratives to inflame a discourse and a “call to action” from freshman and mature scholars.

Needed him to realize that this pronouncement was a death sentence to his legion of adoring admirers.

Needed to convince him that “silence” from this messenger would have been unfathomable!

Needed a “Bathsheba” moment!

Thus, decided to coordinate a written intervention essentially “bathing” my David with concrete reasons why his absence would have sent me and others to intensive care.

Renowned for his bravery, needed him to immediately reverse course and continue to “hang with me!”

Fortunately, my cameo testimonial pricked his heart and validated for him that his views were indeed “worthy of note” and that he should not succumb to “abandoning” his panoramic outlook, insights, and counsel regarding difficult, unpopular, or explosive issues.

Unapologetically, with Mr. Gantt at the damn helm, artificiality and the “beasts” that he so eloquently expound about each week will lose their dominance and legitimacy.

Goes without saying, but the “literary hole” that was created within my soul has now been plugged!

Thank you, Mr. Gantt, for sharing your intellectual brilliance and for remaining with the struggle.

Seemingly over night, suffered an unimaginable “abandonment” which left me despondent, in a state of devastation, and with unspeakable sorrow.

Was not prepared for this emotional relapse!

Unfolding the last chapter of my life, was certainly counting on the devotedness from my long-time and most trusted friend and ally, Wesley, to remain lock-step with me especially as I prepare to face the unpredictability of my husband’s latest medical malady.

Knowing that he was my “shadow” was so reassuring and comforting to me. I felt safe. I felt protected. I felt secured. However, the audaciousness of my presumptuousness as it pertained to a couple of issues was nearly catastrophic and threatened our continued friendship. Silently, yet in lightening-bolt speed, Wesley, figuratively gave me an Ali sucker punch.

Didn’t see it coming…

Maneuvering days and nights without the daily reassurance, endorsements, and opine of my treasured “BFF” left me in a melancholic mood and in a zombie-like state. Once filled with an over-abundance of confidence, began to fret and become frighten about miniscule matters.

And, even tougher to swallow was the realization and acceptance that my once warm, humorous, endearing, and authentic relationship with Wesley had felt castigated!

Didn’t see any rainbows in the sky.

Didn’t hear any melodies in the music.

Didn’t feel the rays from the sun.

So upon his departure to Cleveland, used his absence to incessantly worry about the survivability, demise, and/or “abandonment” of a healthy two-decade old friendship.

Needless to say, passionately chronicled my travails in my column. Pleasantly surprised that most of my readers were amazed about the transparency of my raw emotions and depths of my despair in losing my dear friend, Wesley, while others said that they could relate to my solemn lost.

Couldn’t see this coming either…

Many of my readers predicted a swift reconciliation and resumption of my friendship with Wesley.

And, you were spot on!

Happily, Wesley recently shared with me that he has plans to “hang with me” for life!

Yahoo!

Apparently, he, too, was “touched” by the revelation of how I felt about our friendship and vowed not to “throw me under the bus.”

Sounds good to me!

Guess that week away, in which we were incommunicative, afforded us with an opportunity to rethink the sacredness and value of our friendship. Additionally, a subsequent talk rekindled our commitment in maintaining our family alliance!

Finally, Wesley was further incensed that I would retain negative thoughts regarding being abandoned by him! From his perspective, I am “stuck” with him forever!

(Laugh out loud)

In the final analysis, God knew what He was doing when He sent this earth angel to my rescue. Wesley, you are so amazing and such a tremendous blessing to and for me.

Thank you, my precious friend, for deciding to “hang with me!”