First Day of Kwanzaa Run

COVID-19, “The Rona Era”

Christmas was lovely but long. A day of cooking, eating, laughing, talking, drinking, and opening up stockings. Whew. I had to get a run in, to breathe and take some time to be appreciative of the week. The first day of Kwanzaa is Umjo which means “ unity”. What does it mean to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and as a race. Being in Fort Dodge, Iowa for Kwanzaa was a unique experience. I’ve been adopted into a community here. I did see a community of deer this morning. Morning run theme of community. Also, what does it mean to be a black person in Iowa and In America in general considering the COVID times we live in. A lot to think and reflect about this morning as I ran through Loomis park along the Des Monies River.

It was a quiet morning running. I ran past the painted mural silos and had a man ask me if I was out looking for mushrooms. I’m not sure what that meant since it is not mushroom season. Maybe that is a code word for drugs, I’m not sure. I said no and kept on running. #odd

I wasn’t sure if I looked odd running because no one was running and I didn’t see any other black bodies running. I was not surprised. I can say I ran in Fort Dodge Iowa and Waterloo Iowa during Christmas week.