I held onto the ten dollars, carrying it with me along my daily path. I considered the One Large project and what it might mean to be a part of it. As usual I had more questions than understanding. So I kept carrying the bill, neatly tucked in my back pocket. As time went on, as it does, and things kept moving, I kept going back to the first thought I had at the beginning of this project. I knew I wanted to spend it at Impressionz in East Liberty, although many times I considered going somewhere new where my experience would not fit into any of my preexisting filing folders.
Seeing Cecelia in many ways is like going to what we may think of as home. She greeted me with a smile and I can only describe the feeling as: Warm early summer afternoons, saying hello to a place you don't see often but welcomes you just the same as if you're just another part of the landscape.
I am no regular at Impressionz, but have been there several times before. Once, after a car accident, I found myself at Impressionz speaking to Cecelia. Who looked at me and said, "You need your mom." That has always stuck with me.
And just the same, I walked in on a Tuesday evening and she was reviewing pages and pages of homework belonging to her three children. Conversation is easy and light and flows from the heart. I already knew I would love whatever menu item I ordered, what I didn't know was what might come of our time together.
We chatted about the business and our work. We talked about the wonder of kids and how much not knowing what may be next in life and work can be a struggle. We talked about change and possibility. Where we came from and where we may go from here. All of this midst hot food coming from the kitchen (made by her husband Desmond), takeout orders, and homework!
This feeling I may try to describe as: The chance of crossing paths, where without thought or hesitation you jump right in with your heart and eyes open.
I asked her what she thought about the One Large Project.
And she very much agreed with its cause. She openly discussed the reality of her business and her neighborhood. The economic instability of creating a business without the right investments. This wasn’t a heavy spewing of politics and anger but rather a conversation about the possibility of all cultures existing within the community. Creating a place that welcomes all and no one business consumes the middle. And perhaps I may add this: Only the sun can really occupy that place in the center; the place where all of life comes from.
And in the end, this web we are in is complex and intricate. Delicate but persistent and able to mended. I spent the ten dollars happily and created a new folder of experience.
As I rode away pedaling slowly, I could see Cecelia standing outside Impressionz, seeing me off with a full and loving smile.
Seeing Cecelia in many ways is like going to what we may think of as home. She greeted me with a smile and I can only describe the feeling as: Warm early summer afternoons, saying hello to a place you don't see often but welcomes you just the same as if you're just another part of the landscape.
I am no regular at Impressionz, but have been there several times before. Once, after a car accident, I found myself at Impressionz speaking to Cecelia. Who looked at me and said, "You need your mom." That has always stuck with me.
And just the same, I walked in on a Tuesday evening and she was reviewing pages and pages of homework belonging to her three children. Conversation is easy and light and flows from the heart. I already knew I would love whatever menu item I ordered, what I didn't know was what might come of our time together.
We chatted about the business and our work. We talked about the wonder of kids and how much not knowing what may be next in life and work can be a struggle. We talked about change and possibility. Where we came from and where we may go from here. All of this midst hot food coming from the kitchen (made by her husband Desmond), takeout orders, and homework!
This feeling I may try to describe as: The chance of crossing paths, where without thought or hesitation you jump right in with your heart and eyes open.
I asked her what she thought about the One Large Project.
And she very much agreed with its cause. She openly discussed the reality of her business and her neighborhood. The economic instability of creating a business without the right investments. This wasn’t a heavy spewing of politics and anger but rather a conversation about the possibility of all cultures existing within the community. Creating a place that welcomes all and no one business consumes the middle. And perhaps I may add this: Only the sun can really occupy that place in the center; the place where all of life comes from.
And in the end, this web we are in is complex and intricate. Delicate but persistent and able to mended. I spent the ten dollars happily and created a new folder of experience.
As I rode away pedaling slowly, I could see Cecelia standing outside Impressionz, seeing me off with a full and loving smile.
One Large participant: VH
Name of black-owned business: Impressionz
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Race/ethnicity of participant: Hispanic
