Finally Enjoying What I’ve Been Working For
I have always been a hard worker. It’s in my DNA. My Father was a Football star, Engineer, Scholar, Political Activist, Family man… My Mother was my Dad’s right hand, she did the books for both of his businesses, managed our homes in Liberia and the States, and everything in between. The value of working hard to enjoy the benefits of it later was always my mindset. After my divorce from my first husband, working hard was how I protected myself. Too busy to feel because I’m working, too busy to open myself to new love, too busy to get to know myself, to make real time for myself, my family or my kids. Long nights, long days, traveling, training.
All of these things ended in March of 2020. I was coming back from the finals of Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender, my employer was grooming me for my own concept, a friend of mine and I were opening a cocktail bar in Portland, I was moving forward with the bartender’s community garden I started. And then Covid happened. Everything I had worked for to set myself up, set myself apart and figure out my endgame, was gone. I spent two weeks crying and drinking myself into a tizzy. My Husband talked to me about this not being the answer, about moving forward with the garden and learning to enjoy everything I have worked so hard for. Now was the time.
I am saddened by the things that happened over this time, the protests, the lives lost, the businesses ruined, but I am so grateful for the time. I got to learn about my kids all over again and get to know my new family. I was able to build a stronger connection to God and try to learn more about me. This year I got to get my daughter ready for the prom, twice. I got to proudly watch her graduate from high school with honors. I was able to talk her through picking a school that she will thrive at that meets her values. I realized my son has the best laugh. He is a sweet gentle spirit that happens to be 6’4, he is smart and amazing, and he reminds me so much of my Dad. My bonus daughter is the life of the house, she is a big beautiful ball of fun and energy and she reminds me of myself. Last but never least, my husband. I have known this man since we were 15, we have always been friends and we reconnected in 2018, and got married in 2019. I am so grateful for the time to get to know him as a man, to build our relationship. We have teenagers, we will be empty nesters soon, we have to get along, to understand each other, I never would have had this at the rate I was going. I am finally enjoying the life I have worked so hard to build.
Keyatta Mincey Parker