Tell Them Where You're From

Acknowledging the Beauty of Two Cultures

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I write letters to my newborn son, sharing my journey as a first-time dad and spreading the love I didn't experience myself.

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Every other week, I have been alternating between writing long-form letters and small notes and pieces for Myles. In my last short letter, many of you shared in the comments how holidays come with undercurrents of grief surrounding family who are no longer here.

This weekend, we took a short trip to New York and New Jersey to meet our friends and family who haven’t met Myles. It reminded me of the beauty of raising a son who belongs to two different, yet beautiful, worlds.

25 Weeks Old

Dear Myles,
This is for when they ask, "Where are you from?"

Tell them you were born in Birmingham, Alabama, in the presence of black aunties who welcomed you into the world while your father cried with gratitude. 

Tell them you were conceived in Ethiopia, in a small town called Debre, Birhan. Your father a teacher, your mother a leader, and God the visionary.

Tell them you’re from catfish and grits, and Soup Joumou on the first day of the year. One for good luck, the other for liberation - double the blessing. 

From I ain't studdin you to pa jwe avèm, two tongues masterfully woven in a language only you can understand.

From bel ti gason and that boy clean, and so many aunties that could form an auntie  football team.

Tell them you’re from Crown Heights and Ensley, your mama and daddy, rare breeds when you pollinate roses and concrete. 

Tell them without a stutter in your tongue, you're from a pocket full of Poseys, all about the Princes, and "Yo Pierre, you wanna come outside?"

From parents who prayed, grandmother's testimonies, and aunties who said, “Don't worry y'all, it'll happen.” 

Tell them the world was waiting for you to arrive,

You're the blessing the ancestors dreamed for,

You are God’s gift to the planet.

Love, 
Daddy

And if you’re on Substack Notes, and this this letter resonated with you, please hit that“Restack” button.

Let me know your thoughts:

1. Did you watch the video? What are your raw thoughts?

2. Where are you from, and what unique cultural nuggets make your roots special?

3. Ever had to navigate between two tongues like "I ain't studdin ya" to "pa jwe avèm"? What’s it like for you?

4. Parents: My wife and I come from two beautiful yet different backgrounds. How do you balance giving a child both?

5. What's one piece of advice, prayer, or testimony from your family that has stayed with you?

6. This poem was a take on George Ella Lyons' "Where I’m From" Poem. Feel free to drop a stanza or two if you like!

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These letters between me and Myles are currently free to read.

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All proceeds collected from Raising Myles contributes to his College Plan. If you can’t commit to a monthly subscription, but still want to support, here is my Buy Me a Coffee page.

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Want more of Myles’ Letters?

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• How I Met Your Mother was was featured on Substack Reads!

• Read about My Wife’s Love Affair - It’s exactly what you don’t think

• Have you ever been Cooking in the Bathroom kind of tired?

• Check out Carrying the Gift, Holding the Love

• Read about Our first Father’s Day.