If you are faithful over a few, deep down I knew this despite the struggle…well it’s been me and this little boy we named Phoenix in the dessert (technically Austria) for a cool decade. He wasn’t born alone, far from it…and I couldn’t possibly give enough credit to the network of love, prayer, and support, in our lives from expected and unexpected places. However, I won’t sugar coat the fact that it’s still been extremely difficult. Like where are we going to live, how am I going to feed this child, survive in these streets difficult most days! Don’t ever let the brave heart fool you; parenting is do or die, all day every day, show up and shut up, but mostly smile for the camera because rent’s due. However, don’t get me started on all the rabbit holes coulda, shoulda, woulda MIGHT and will take you down. Regardless, of what the world is eager to throw your way; I do my best to wonder, what does Natasha capital R Chavis think? If she’s got this, then throw it in gear, and let’s get up and go! So Phoenix and I, quite literally bee-bopped all over the place until…
My Dad died. I really thought that was it for me. The final straw – like life – I’ll go through the motions and make the best of it from here. That’s not who my Dad raised me to be – but I was so lost in the world without him – I was down with the it is what it is life. Besides, who was going to teach my son how to navigate life now? Someone else HAD to teach my son!!! Someone else meaning, a man, not I! I knew the life lessons hit me different as a woman. I felt defeated in the midst of my grief under such a realization. So I did what my Dad taught me to do, I turned to God…
…who told me to leave…trusting divine order through the decision making process, which I knew to be the right path, tested me in ways I never expected, every step of the way. Today, I am so overwhelmed by the power of stepping out on faith. This isn’t a story I could possibly write.
I remember my Dad counting on his fingers to figure out that Phoenix would be 11 when he started playing football, and letting me know that he wouldn’t be around to see him. Now I know just what he meant by that. He’s not just around, he’s ALL around! For the next 2 years Phoenix has stepped into the unexpected privilege of a very special development league here in FL that will work with him for the next 2 years as he prepares for JV football, just in time for what will be his 11th birthday 🎂. This particular league is about more than football. They work with each division on skill AND character development, something my Dad, with no formal education, majored in. Today, after practice, they talked to the athletes about the importance of making new friends and challenged them to sit with someone in their schools that didn’t seem to have as many friends. It took everything I had not to fall all the way apart out in this Florida heat 🥺.
As if that was not enough…the league didn’t just welcome Phoenix with open arms; they have offered me the position of Treasure for their non-profit board of Directors. I see you Dad, showing up and showing out – giving Phoenix a very special, seeming random, number from the winner of Superbowl XX! Why blend in as we’ve been working so hard to, when you were born to stand out? You never were ok with my efforts to blend in…and you know we didn’t miss the fact that The Refrigerator anThONY Perry was a Sagittarius 🙂 !! Best believe, we love you endlessly, and all of Duuuval can entrust us to serve these 200 stallions with our hearts wide open, as only you would have it…until we see you again…OO!
Yee-haw, let the games begin!
Own and On 