Everybody's got a favorite cousin, right?

I know I don't know y'all like that, but I know y'all have one. Maybe, it's not even a cousin, or perhaps you even have two favorite cousins. Idk, but I do know you have one.

Well, I hung out with mine a few weeks ago.

The thing about this cousin is, he's been in the Navy for about 20 years. And, if you know anything about Navymen, you know they spend a lot of time on big ships in big oceans, in far, far, away places—which is to say that we don't kick it as often as we'd like to.

So, when I was in D.C. not long ago, even though he's stationed in Virginia, I made it a point to spend some time. And that's where this whole thing started.

He called me a couple of days before my trip up there:
 

"Bring something to wear to a frat meeting when you get here."
 

Well, I certainly didn't have that on my Saturday morning bingo card, but I was game. This would be our first frat meeting together, after all, so I was pumped.

Anywho, Saturday finally arrives and I show up at their front door with my A Phi A sweatshirt on. He was still getting dressed, so I made my way to the piano in the front room to waste a little time.

Now, I'm not gonna say I know how to play the piano, but I don't not know how to play the thing either. I took lessons as a kid and still remember some things, and for whatever reason, I started playing some of those tunes from my childhood. It's crazy how much better 10-year old Troy can be at something than grown-up Troy is, but I was out of practice, which sort of made me sad... 😕

"You ready to roll?"
 

Enough with the piano.

It was a '74 Oldsmobile, green-ish, that my great, great aunt drove. A family friend type of aunt from my mama's side. The type of car I hadn't seen in many years. In fact, I'd probably seen it more in pictures than in real life, tbh. A true anachronism.

But for whatever reason, it was in this dude, my favorite cousin's, garage. I was shocked to see it there, so just imagine my surprise when he cranked it up!

"Get in cuz!"
 

The doors were sticky, the radio didn’t work, you couldn’t roll the windows up (they were already down), and it somehow still smelled like the woods of middle Georgia and cigarettes. Amazing.

We took off. The car was heavy metal, so we were truly cruising like we had no where to go.

I may never enjoy a ride as much as I did this one. It was that type of day and moment. The Fall weather had me admiring the trees and smiling at absolutely nothing at all. It wasn't hot, it wasn't cold. Aquemini snuck through his partially renovated sound system. And even though we didn't have the option, we didn't need the A/C or the heat.

... but we did need gas.

I hopped out at the pump with a quickness—there ain’t too many opportunities you get to gas up something like this. 

“This one is a little different, the tank is...”
 

I already knew. I was half way to the trunk by the time he said that. He smiled.

"Yeah man, gotta drive it once a month or so to keep it moving..."

If you know me by now, you know this ain't only about that damn car.

By the time noon hit, I'd hung with one of my favorite family members (and his family), visited my childhood through the piano, engaged with the frat, all accompanied by this Oldsmobile that I though died in those old photo albums...

The thing they all had in common? Stuff you take for granted. Things that are not promised. Parts of our life that simply fade away if you're not careful.

And with that in mind, perhaps life itself isn't meant to be endured, nor mastered. Maybe we all just need to wake up everyday and participate. Unfortunately, some of the best things in life (family, skills, cars....) have an expiration date. Sometimes, the only way to stay engaged is to engage.
 

For Lack of a Wetter Bird, use it or lose it.
 

PS - The first 3 people to respond to this email with a picture of them and their favorite cousin, or a funny story involving them and their favorite cousin, will get a special holiday treat in the mail!

Special shout out to Morgan B. of Atlanta who won last issue's contest 🙌🏽 My Halloween costume was, indeed, Andre 3000 from the 2014 ATLast Tour.

So, I did a thing...
'Christmas Classics' Holiday Cards 🎄

2022 has been a rough year in some ways, but holiday cheer comes in many forms!

Check out some of classics I remixed with Kindred Paper here in ATL and shop local, small, and Black this season 🙏🏽

Last Thing...

I'm publishing an ebook very very soon!
Not everyone knows about it yet, but now you do because you read these emails in full. That's all I'll say for now, but check out my Twitter for pre-order links, release dates, and all the ridiculous things I say there.

P.S. You should tell your friends about this newsletter and send them this link. Yes, yes that would be quite excellent of you.