Thirty +1

  November 13th, in the Catholic Hospital in Monrovia a trouble maker came screaming into this world around 8pm. My mother was still married to my Sierra Leonian Dad and the Liberian war was a year away. The years ahead will consist of fleeing to neighboring countries for refuge, growing up in tropical weather, trading my rice for cookies and eventually settling into the United States. Somewhere between bullets and fleeing, I came to learn the philosophy of my life: No Condition is permanent. Whether we lost our house, cars or whatever other material things during the wars, we'd always come back to start over with what was important; family. I've learned to never attach too much value to things and always make people the most important part of my life.  In the last 3 decades, I've come to learn about life mostly by learning about myself. I've had only the clothes on my backs and I've also had walk-in closets filled with more than I needed. I lived in refugee camps in Ivory Coast and I also live in overpriced Boston Apartments with a jacuzzi and a rooftop. In both of those places, I learn that the most important part of my experience was not what I had, but who I share my experiences with. My life is lucrative mostly because of those around me. And for this, I am grateful. This new age is the beginning of a new journey with new people in a new place. I am ready, but most importantly I am fearless.  I do not know what's ahead, but if the last 30 years is any indication of what I can expect, I anxiously await it. Here's to one more year of learning to live with some of the very best hand I have been dealt with.