Iman's Little Sickness and Her Return to Society

I’ve been sick for like two weeks and because of that I've been out of routine. What’s my routine?

Day 10 of illness. Miss Komal said "what! You are sick look at your eyes. Go away from me!"

I wake up between 8 and 10 am. Usually by 9:15

I brush my teeth, brush my hair, and do my skin care

Then, I drink my bone broth and/or low pasteurized, A2, cream-on-top whole milk and Magic Spoon

Then, I put on my gym clothes, harness Arneis (if he’s with me), then we walk to Warehouse.

At Warehouse I see Amghy, Sean, Zez, Ang, Indigo, and Winona.

I look through my emails and work messages while we talk and laugh.

Then by 12, I leave. I go to the gym and do my stuff.

That’s my routine. I’ve been doing that nearly every week day for the past year and some change. Every day except the past two weeks because I’ve been very sick. Today was my first day back really. I didn't realize how much I missed my friends until Sean bellowed “Oh? Iman’s back from outside” at me when I walked in. I laughed, but really I felt overwhelmed with delight at knowing that Sean noticed I'd been gone. He's not particularly open emotionally, but he’s become more open in front of me in the year i’ve known him and it means a lot to me. I soon learned of Amghy’s new obsession, Neopets. I explained the photo of my holding bottles of rum. Ange so kindly made me my usual without me asking. She’s thoughtful, studying psych. Then, Zez commissioned Sean, Amghy, and me to join her on a delivery to Salvaje.

I don't think I've felt childlike joy like I did on the walk to Salvaje since I was in middle school. I felt so excited to go on a field trip with my friends. Zez packed up the wagon and we followed. Laughing, chatting, and skipping our way to Salvaje. It is a blessing to be differently employed. To be working artists as Amghy, Sean, and I are. It’s a blessing to exist in the community the way we do because of it. Zez is not an artist, but she is a work of art. Driven, relentless, and unafraid; from the day I met her, I adored her. Zez spends her days managing Warehouse, going to school, and working clinicals. She too is differently employed giving her artist hours too. We were a little gang in warm toned clothing, a COS ad for Fall.

When we got to Salvaje, things just got sillier. Bang was there. She rolled her eyes at the sight of me, an indicator or her excitement. We made a fireman line to load the coffee into the shop, dedicated to helping Zez. Amghy, late to walk a dog then ordered first. A brownie for later. She chirped and chortled all over the shop making everyone laugh. Then, the took her leave. Leave us 3.

Sean and I got Morning Buns. Both of our first times trying them. They were delicious. We ate ours right there as everyone discussed how to do a Secret Santa. I exclaimed that I wanted to be Bang's just to rile her up. It felt kind of unreal today. Being in the space with the people I see nearly every day felt different today. I kept thinking about how so many people live where we do yet don’t have any community. They go to work, they go home, and the don’t put down roots. How did I get so lucky? If I had never booked a hair appointment with Naz, would I be here today? Would my life be as enriched as it is now? I don’t think so. I don’t know any one outside of this group that has a community like mine in our area.

Alhamduiallah. I am so blessed