Love

 I wanted with all enthusiasm to be able to watch the Seahawks defeat the Patriots.

But, my temporary dwelling in Vermont did not have "regular" TV and the streaming was not an option.

After a few meetings on Sunday and a decidedly in-house-weekend due to the extreme frigid temperatures that hit our region, I just decided to go to bed and watch a documentary on First Lady Michelle Obama.

Then, of course, sleep set in and the next thing I knew, I was awake in below below zero temperatures and a work day ahead of me.

However, I did have the opportunity to see the pictures and watch the joyful moments of Bad Bunny's Love Fest at the Super Bowl.

He gave love to his people in Puerto Rico, love to all the Latinos - especially we of African descent who are often left out. My heart leaped upon seeing the Haitian Flag where my more-white-than-black forefather was born in Cap-Haitien and emigrated to New Orleans where part of my origin story begins. He included all the ones who are often left out and reminded the world that antiBlack is antihuman and anti love.

Then, he showcased all that was beautiful about the islands and all that. has been challenged because of greed, colonialism, and erasure. He did what in West African tradition is considered a Sankofa moment, he went back and got what belonged to him and also taught the rest of the world how to live in light.

I also appreciated that the culture was centered in all her beautiful diversity.

I love that he was deeply rooted and gave honor where it was due.

All the things that this current atmosphere has sought to erase.

He didn't appropriate or take what wasn't a part of him, he didn't plaster his name on unearned spaces, and he most certainly did not take what never belonged to him.

This day in the United States of America (the entire Americas) we are blessed to have such a great rainbow of colors, hues, languages, foods, music, dances, and beats that give us a rhythm of life. Far beyond just wonder bread and beans.

Maybe that is the thing.

Maybe what we have been experiencing is that there are some who are either ashamed of the blandness of their origins and the lack of imagination to create.

Or maybe it is jealousy.

Or envy?

What Benito did was invite the world in.

He essentially said what are you afraid of?

A little flavor?

A little dance?

A little joy?

A little togetherness?

A little love?

He danced his way into this Jones Generation woman's heart, I had no idea what he said, but my body and spirit could understand the language of being.

He is what we needed, just like last year, Kendrick Lamar was giving a prophetic warning and teaching, Bad Bunny has come alongside with in some ways a Chaplain's heart, to say be present, find the joy in the pain, see each other, and live what days we have to live - fully, completely, and engaging.

Love is the stronger language.

So use it.

©2026. In Cold Vermont remembering the sunshine