Dreams Really Do Come True

Ya’ll see this!?!?

First of all, I’ve been crying for the last hour. I woke up at 3:30 this morning because I couldn’t sleep. Yesterday I was anxious the entire day — I could barely eat, think or sit still. Everything hit me this morning when I saw this article go live.

I remember when I lived in New Orleans in 2020, I told myself, “Man, how freaking cool would it be to have a column in the Times Picayune.” Now look at me!

I’ve been a writer all my life — I won a creative writing award in the third grade. I wrote a poem in high school that left my teachers speechless. When I was 15, I was on a heavy Tupac kick. I watched all of his interviews for weeks and was inspired to start writing even more. I was writing things in high school that proved that my mind was deeper than even I was able to realize at the time.

I was born with a pen in my hand. My soul was made for this.

There’s nothing that satisfies my spirit more than living in my truth. Following my dreams. Reaching for the fucking stars. I refuse to sell myself short — this is what I was made for and I promise you… this is just the beginning.

I will link the article below!

Marie’s Times Picayune Article

New Orleans has been a part of my life since I was younger. My papa being from Louisiana loved the city. He would always talk about it. He lived there for a good while when my mom was young — and she fell in love with it, too. She still is. Me and my mom were the only Saints fans in our house, my dad (from Chicago) couldn’t stand it, LOL! Love you dad!

When Katrina blew through the city, I remember seeing my papa cry. He couldn’t bear seeing his old neighborhood under water. He and my mom volunteered at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston to help the people that were displaced by the storm.

My first visit to New Orleans was in the 4th grade, the first Mardi Gras after Katrina. It was my first and only time being out of the state of Texas as a child and I was soooo excited. Little did I know, when I became an adult, that I’d grow the same deep connection to the city that my mom and papa have/had.

I even still remember the obnoxious way I showed up at school the next day when the Saints won the Super Bowl. Dripped down in Black and Gold, screaming, acting an ass. I think I got in trouble for acting out the whole day, lmao. But, I was always in trouble. That was nothing new.

Ugh, I love New Orleans real bad!
If you’re interested in knowing where my connection started, here’s a snippet from my previous blog post.

New Orleans in many ways saw a version of me back in 2020 that was deeply flawed. A version of me that was dependent, insecure, depressed, directionless, and more. When I moved to New Orleans in 2020, I was forced into independence. It was my first time living away from family and not being right up the street from my mom and dad. I wasn’t alone — my son came with me and my now husband had a home for us to go to. We were comfortable, loved and safe.

But I had a lot of growing to do in that little pink duplex — and the city got to see that growth. Not only did she get to see it, she aided in that growth.

It was there that I decided to go back to school to get my Creative Writing Degree. It was there that I launched my website for the first time and began writing online. It was there where I learned how to be more creative, innovative, and lean more into my calling to be a writer. It was there that I learned how to love a city for what it was without the parades, gatherings, and everything that makes New Orleans “sparkle” — or at least what the internet thinks makes New Orleans sparkle. New Orleans isn’t just a city, it’s a spirit. There is a spirit that dwells there that draws you in. New Orleans is still beautiful and rich in culture, love, resilience, art, and acceptance even without the carnivals and famous tourist attractions. Being that in 2020, most of everything was “dead” and all events were canceled, I was able to discover the side of New Orleans when the city wasn’t alive with parties and gatherings. I got to see her soul. I got to see her for what she is. And what she has to offer goes far beyond the French Quarter.

Message for today? Follow you dreams. You know what you’re being called to do. Do that shit! Thank you!

Now, let me go digest this Cole album. My mouth been on the floor all morning. See ya’ll soon! <3