First Left After Blessings Drive: The Long Road Home

First Left After Blessings Drive: The Long Road Home

by Kateb Shunnar

Now listen here, honey, I’m ‘bout to lay down the most important directions you’ll ever need how to get to the Creator. But I ain’t gonna hand you no street number, no ZIP code, no “turn left in 300 feet” from some holy GPS. No, sir. The only thing I can tell you is this: it’s the first left after Miracle Avenue, right past Blessings Drive. If you find yourself rollin’ down Sins Circle, you better turn that car ‘round ‘fore you get stuck in Temptation

Alley with a flat tire and no spare.

Now, you gotta understand New Orleans streets ain’t like no straight arrow they curve, they zigzag, they sneak and hide like a shy cat. And some streets, well, they just up and quit like a gumbo that forgot it had seasoning. So don’t get hung up on tryin’ to read a map like you’re lookin’ for a tax office. This road ain’t paved in asphalt it’s paved in faith, hope, and a little bit of that good old Southern stubbornness.

I remember hearin’ this story once ‘bout a man who decided he was gonna find the Creator’s front porch. Packed him a ham sandwich wrapped in wax paper, two bottles of Barq’s root beer (you gotta stay hydrated on these journeys), and a folding fan in case the Spirit got to movin’ faster than his boots could keep up. He started out at the corner of Hallelujah Lane and Praise Street and asked an old man with a dusty hat if he knew the way.

The man said, “Just keep goin’ straight till the road runs out, then turn right at the crossroads where the chicken is crossin’.”

Now that sounds like a tall tale, but here in New Orleans? That’s just Tuesday. He followed them directions, ended up at a crawfish boil. Did he find the Creator? Not quite. But he met a woman who said, “Child, the Creator ain’t sittin’ in one house. The journey is the front porch.” And in this town, porches ain’t just places to sit they’re where life happens.

So I done made myself a map, and I’m gonna share it with y’all. But fair warnin’: it ain’t a straight shot, and you’re gonna have to listen close, ‘cause the directions come with a little twist of New Orleans flavor and a sprinkle of good ol’ humor.

Start your journey at Miracle Avenue

Where all things possible get their start. You feel that tingle in your heart like you just heard the first note of a jazz trumpet. That’s the spark. But don’t get too caught up gawkin’ the road’s long and full of pit stops.

Next, roll past Blessings Drive

If you ain’t countin’ your blessings, honey, you might miss the turn. This street’s lined with sweet magnolia trees, smellin’ like hope and fresh starts. It’s easy to forget the good when the world’s shoutin’, but Blessings Drive reminds you to breathe deep and appreciate what’s right here.

First left after Blessings is Gratitude Street

Now Gratitude Street’s a slow road, with potholes full of “thank yous” and sidewalks paved in “please.” You gotta take your time here it ain’t a place for hurryin’. Folks who speed through Gratitude end up missin’ the jazz band playin’ under the live oaks.

Roll on into Patience Parkway

This one’s long and windy, with street signs that seem to disappear and come back just to test your will. Don’t give up. Take a sip of sweet tea, count the ironwork balconies, and keep your eyes on the prize.

Cross Humility Bridge

This bridge creaks and sways, but it holds if you walk slow and light. You gotta let go of that heavy pride you been luggin’ ‘round, or this bridge’ll drop you right in the muddy water of Self-Righteous Bayou. Ain’t nobody wanna swim there.

Turn right on Forgiveness Street

It’s a lively place, full of people who’ve dropped their grudges like old beads after Mardi Gras. Forgiveness Street smells like fried catfish and fresh coleslaw it’s good for the soul. You might even hear some second-line music floatin’ in the air.

Slide over to Joy Street

Where the sun’s always shinin’, and the laughter’s louder than a brass band on Bourbon Street. If you don’t feel a little lighter here, check your pockets you might be carryin’ too much worry.

Down the way you’ll hit Peace Place

Quiet and cool, with shutters closed and rocking chairs creakin’. Folks here know that sometimes the best thing you can do is just sit back and let the world spin for a minute.

Be careful of Doubt Street

It’s a dead-end alley with slick sidewalks. Folks get caught there, talkin’ themselves out of hope like it’s a bad habit. Best to just wave and keep on goin’.

Don’t even think about turnin’ down Envy Lane

That road’s full of potholes and potholes and potholes. It don’t lead nowhere but heartache and empty pockets.

And watch out for Gossip Circle

Everybody talkin’, no one listenin’. You’ll get dizzy and lost if you stop too long.

Now, for all my detail-lovin’ folks, I crafted a little acronym to help you remember this

journey PORCH ‘cause in New Orleans, nothin’ holy happens without a porch to sit on.

P — Pause your hurried self, like you’re watchin’ a slow sunset over the Mississippi.

O — Open your heart wider than your mouth on po’boy day.

R — Repent — drop the old grudges, the shame, and all that dead weight you been carryin’.

C — Connect — with the people, the music, the lil’ miracles floatin’ around like fireflies on a summer night.

H — Honor the Creator who’s been guidin’ you since before you even knew you was wanderin’.

Take this P.O.R.C.H. and carry it like a second line umbrella when the rain comes, it’ll keep you dry. And when the sun shines, it’ll cast the best shade on your soul.

So when you find yourself standin’ at Miracle Avenue and Blessings Drive, take that first left. Don’t look for a shiny mailbox or a neon sign just trust that the music you hear, the warmth you feel, and the smell of gumbo on the breeze means you’re home.

And when you get there? The Creator’ll be sittin’ in the big ol’ rocking chair, grinnin’ like they been expectin’ you all along, sayin’, “I was wonderin’ when you’d get here.”

If my words have made you smile, think, or feel a lil’ somethin’ in your soul, then cher, help keep this pot of gumbo stirrin’! Your support keeps the porch light burnin’, the stories rollin’, and the good vibes flowin’. Just click that Donation tab up top every bit helps this writer keep the jazz playin’ and the pen dancin’. Merci beaucoup, sugar!