My first post on this blog was titled Enter Vera. It was only one paragraph, and the writing was not great – and that’s putting it kindly. I wrote 2 intead of to. And lemme instead of let me. And U instead of you. Ugh. You could smell the immaturity in my writing. That was on January 26th, 2006. Sixteen whole years ago! Where did all the time go? It’s not lost on me that my last two sentences rhyme, and considering COVID and my desperation to have a great year, I am formally considering this as a good sign. The rhyming, that is.
I cannot believe that the last time I wrote on this space was in December 2020. It was not my intention to be away for a year; In fact, it was not my intention to be away at all. One week turned into one month, and then, the other months just followed. It’s easy to continue doing a thing once you have started doing a thing. I have never stayed away for a year. Even when I was getting divorced, I did not stay away for a year. Yet, here we are.
The entire time I was away, I thought about coming back. I wrote stories, stories I thought you’d enjoy reading, but I wrote all the stories in my head. Every now and then, I’d log in, take a look around, and then, leave. It had been so long since I logged in before today that when I did log in, my blog was suspicious of me. It booted me out and demanded thrice that I prove I am human. You’re reading these words from me, so obviously, I was able to prove my humanity.
It was around October 2020 that I made the decision to return home. This is home. Verastic is home. It doesn’t matter what I write or where I write it, it never feels as comfortable or as intimate or as familiar or quite as right as right here. I have not met most of you, but I feel like I am most of you. Although I knew since October that I would be returning home in January, I waited till the eleventh hour to actually write this piece. Instead, I turned on my laptop and perused the internet for a black watch because I have decided that that is what I will be giving myself for my birthday (in eleven days). When I finally found the watch (a unisex one because I find the women’s watches to be too feminine), I could have and should have started writing this piece, but instead, I decided that it was a good time to do some Google research on the best facial moistuzier with SPF for black skin. All my research landed me right back on what I am already using. It’s classic Vera, really, to avoid tacking the big task,and spend time, instead, sweeping the roof. By the way, for all the time I spent researching the watch, I still have not ordered it.
I have missed you something fierce and reckless, Sweet Potatoes. I have missed sharing with you and learning from you. I have missed gossiping with you. I hate that I was away for a year, but I know that I needed to be away. Thank you for being my Sweet Potatoes. Happy New Year, and please get comfortable, I’ll be back with more. I promise.
P.S. The picture above is recent. It was taken in church during the Christmas Eve service a little over a week ago. The glow is from the lit candle that we were all holding. It was a visual reminder that we are called to be the light of the world.
…smiles…
…. Smiles back.
Rethot!!!!!
***Many, Many Hugs*****
Welcome back!
Thank you, Ada! 🙂
Happy new year Vera. Welcome back.
Thank you, thank you, Ebele! So glad to be back.
I’ve missed you Vera and I’m glad to read this ☺️
Awwww. I’ve missed you too! Thank you so much.
I have missed you Vera. It is good to have you back. Seems like we are having a one on one chat. May this year be all you hope it will be and more. God bless you.
Amen. Thank you, Yinka! You don’t even know how happy I get when someone says it feels like we’re having a one on one chat. Tehehehe. Thank you very much, and I wish you a 2022 that’s better than what you have prayed for.
Happy new year Vera and you are ALWAYS welcome back home.
HoneyDame,
You just know how to make me blush. Tehehe. Thank you!
Proud of you V!
Forever in your corner!!
I. LOVE.YOU.
Welcome back home.
Fufustic!!!!!!!!!
You see? I did it. And all the lights I saw today maybe enlightened me. Lol. Thanks, Fufu. I know you’re forever in my corner. I’m forever in your corner too. Love you plenty.
Welcome back home Vera. I’ve missed you so much
Chei. Thank you!!! I have missed you soooo much too.
Welcome back
Happy 2022
Thank you!!! Happy New Year to you too. Let’s get it!
Welcome back! Looking forward to more
Thank you, Chizor. I’m looking forward to more, too.
Good to read from you again. Happy new year!
Thank you, Jude. Glad to read your comment. Happy New Year to you too.
I wish the momentum continues
It will!
Happy to have you back and happy new year to you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! And Happy New Year to you too.
Welcome back! Really missed you and your writing 🤗❤️
Thank you, Onyinye!! I’m blushing.
Sister Sweet Potatoe. Glad you did what you had to do.xx
Thank you, thank you.
It’s going to be a good year
Welcome back Vera
Yessssss! And Amen!!! Thank you.
Welcome back Vera! You were sorely missed but I am elated to have you back. It’s comforting to know all is well with you. Impatiently waiting for more notifications. Happy New Year dearest Vera.
Awww. Thank you so much, Chinwe. You have no idea how your words make me feel. Thank you.
Welcome back.Hope Ada Vera is glowing like mama.
Thank you, Dior! Ada Verastic is growing well.
I have missed you Vera. Happy New Year and Welcome back home.
Chei. I have missed you too, Angela! Happy New Year to you, too.
Welcome back Vera
Thank you very much!
Welcome back! I follow you on Instagram and I see your occasional posts. I’ve missed your blog though. Happy New Year. I hope this year brings all that you hope and pray for. It’s good to have you back God bless you!
Amen and Amen. Thank you very much. And thank you for following too 😘
Welcome Back Vera!!
Thank you very much.
Welcome back…. surely missed you,with covid and losing loved ones…you will be my safe haven.
Rachael,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know how that feels. I, too, lost loved ones. I’ll talk about it when I’m ready. Please accept my condolences and e-hugs.
Welcome back V! Your SP surely missed you, hope your girlie and fam is well.
Hoping you have an exceptional 2022! Don’t be gone for so long again.
Mimi,
Thank you so much! And Amen. And I won’t be gone that long again. I promise.