Enjoying Life by Donald Gray

Enjoying Life

Donald Gray

The ConTextos Authors Circle was developed in collaboration with young people at-risk of, victims of, or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017 this innovative program expanded into Chicago to create tangible, high quality opportunities that nourish the minds,,expand the voices and share the personal truths of individuals who have long been underserved and underestimated. Through the process of drafting, revising and publishing memoirs, participants develop self-reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie and positive selfprojection to author new life narratives.

Since January 2017 ConTextos has partnered with Cook County Sheriff's Office to implement Authors Circle in Cook County Department of Corrections as part of a vision for reform that recognizes the value of mental health, rehabilitation and reflection. These powerful memoirs complicate the narratives of violence and peace building, and help author a hopeful future for human beings behind walls, their families and our collective communities.

While each author’s text is solely the work of the Author, the image used to create this book’s illustrations have been sourced by various print publications. Authors curate these images and then, using only their hands, manipulate the images through tearing, folding, layering and careful positioning. By applying these collage techniques, Authors transform their written memoirs into illustrated books.

This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ALN 21.027 awarded to Cook County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Enjoying Life Donald Gray

Turn to me Lord. And be gracious to me. For I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart. Free me of my anguish. Look on my affliction & distress. Take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies. And how fiercely they hate me. Guard my life & rescue me. Don’t let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and unrighteousness protect me. Because my hope, Lord is in you.

Psalm 25: 16-22

I grew up in a single family home. I have 2 other siblings which are both older than me but I’m the biggest. My brother Dujuan aka Dee is the oldest. My sister Teneeka aka Big Neek is in the middle. My mom Towanda (Billy) did a wonderful job raising us. If we was poor, I didn’t know it. My father Donald was around. I spent most of my time with him on weekends and summers. He instilled great morals and values in me.

Since my adolescent years, I’ve always been fascinated with motorcycles, boats, cars and airplanes. I guess you can say I’m a thrill seeker at heart. When I was a kid, I had a Big Wheel. I use to stand on the back 2 wheels and pick up the front wheel like I was doing wheelies. I use to ride up & down the block making motorcycle noises: vroom, vroom, errr, scrrrh. You know all the good sound effects.

I got older and I got me a hand me down Schwinn Stingray. It was already hooked up, had reflectors all around the rims. The bike was blue, with blue & gray banana seat with the 2 mirrors on it and some drags. I use to put beer cans in the tires to make the noise like a motorcycle. I learned to wheelie the bike all the way down the block. Once I found the balance point, I was able to go 2-3 blocks easy. The balance point is where the bike is 12 o’clock and just glides.

In about 5th or 6th grade, my friend Ben got a 50cc dirt bike. I asked him to show me how to ride it. I was elated when he said yeah. Ben told me that the right hand is the throttle & front brake. Right foot is the brake, left hand is the clutch, the left foot gear shifter.

That's all I needed to know. Before long I was going around the block. But only in 1st gear.

‘Bout a week passed by. I was riding the bike better than Ben. My Aunt was dating a dude named K-Roc. He had a 600 Kawasaki Ninja, white, green & purple. When I saw that bike, I was amazed. Right then, right there, I knew I was getting me a motorcycle.

When I was 19, I got a Yamaha scooter. It only went ‘bout 35-40 mph but I was riding.

One nice summer day I was out moving & grooving. A bunch of motorcycles pulled up on me. They chucked the deuces at me. I didn’t know it then but it means 2 wheels I love. I finished the season off on my scooter. February or March I went to Iowa to play in a basketball tournament. I was in the car with a couple of guys. I was telling them I was saving for a motorcycle. One of the guys just so happen to be Montez Stewart. He told me to go to Guy’s Cycle on 123 Western, ask for Guy, tell him I sent you. Montez also gave me his phone #.

I didn’t know who Montez a.k.a. “Tez” was. But when the weather broke, I went to Guy’s on Western, told him Tez sent me. Guy got on the phone to see if I was telling the truth.

Next thing you know I was the owner of a bike. Montez is the person who started Michael Jordan Race Team. He is also a #1 stunna. I’ll spin the block on that though, but things just be ironic or faith.

I’m out riding, moving & grooving, hat backwards, goggles on my head. I was green to this new life I just embarked on. I didn’t know about gloves, helmets, and to always wear pants. I was just worried ‘bout looking good. I was riding down Sibley, cruising, smiling, all 32 showing. Not paying attention. I rode through some oil. Me & the concrete, along with embarrassment, had a meeting. Legs scratched up & pink, knuckles bloody. I just got jumped by the pavement.

One sunny Sunday I’m riding south on Ashland. I get to the light at 79th. I’m ‘bout to head to Hayes Park & play ball. I seen a bunch of motorcycles. They all had vests on with a #1 on it. They was headed towards Western. I turned around & followed them. I met up with them. They had a clubhouse just west of Western on 79th on the south side of the street. 1 person gravitated toward me. His name was “Demon Child.” This dude was wheelieing the bike with ease. I knew I wanted me 1 of those vests. By the time I left them I was a probie of the #1 Stunnas.

I started to hang around Demon Child daily. He taught me what gear to get and I started twisting. Twisting is going fast on the bike. Demon Child introduced me to a guy named Sprocket. Sprocket is a bike mechanic, also a good twister. Sprocket taught me how to lean on the bike. He made me get some race tires. I also got a Honda 2005 600RR. He switched out my exhaust system and added a power commander to my bike. Now my bike tops out at 175. It use to be 167 mph.

As time went on, more & more riders was dying. So I started to do wheelies, no more twisting for me. My homie Snoop AKA “Bumblebee” is the one who actually showed me how to stand on the rear pegs, also to wheelie in 2nd gear. I fucked up several bikes, starting out. I got tired of spending money on bikes and parts, so I just made a street fighter. A street fighter is a stunt bike that can handle being dropped.

As I got better at wheelieing, I was given a German helmet. That’s an honor. I went from wheelieing blocks to miles. My reputation went up within the club. We got a lot of chapters across the United States, even one in Japan. I was traveling state to state.

Doing events & meeting people from all walks of life. Doctors, judges, I even met the Dean of Morehouse, NBA players, rappers, etc.

I bought me a Honda 929 Erion Racing edition. I wanted the best of both worlds. I can twist & can stunt, I remember going to 79th & Stony Island White Castles on weekends.

Everybody is out. All the clubs, all the bike clubs. But nothing compared to pulling up with the #1 Stunnas. Our club had Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Shawty Shawty the comedian & R. Kelly. Kells even made a song. Pulling up fresh than a motha got a lot of cash on me. I’m a #1 Stunna. You can watch the Stunna video and see the famous #23 in there.

Getting on the highway doing wheelies or doing events, it was always fun. Enjoying, like meeting people. Putting a smile on kids’ faces. Pulling up on South Chicago, on a Saturday or Sunday night. If you been then you know what I’m talking ‘bout. All the car clubs & bike clubs out. If you got a nice whip, that’s the spot to be. If you somebody, you was there. And being a Stunna, we showed up & showed out.

One day I’m in the house chilling. I get a call from Stunna Reese. “Dilla, what up?” I’m like “chilling. What’s the word?” He like “You ok? What's the move? I need you to do some footage for me. You got yo stunt bike?” “Send location & time.” Now I think just regular filming. Naw, not this time. I did a video for Waka Flocka, Snakes in the Grass.

Opportunities started presenting itself to me. I was doing security at clubs. Reese called me again asked did I want to do security for Ying Yang Twins.

They was in town. He needed me again.

Hey, I needed the money and I get to kick it with them. Win win situation.

I was in ATL. I know Big Bob. He do personal security for a lot of entertainers. He asked me did I want to go to a comedy show. Sure, why not? He told me who it was featuring.

The star was Mike Epps. The show was great. Afterwards I got to meet Mike Epps. He told me he ride as well. He got a trike Harley with 24’s. We chopped it up for a while. Then I was talking to T.I. Tiny, Tichina Arnold & Shakana.

I love the outdoors. I was co-pilot in a helicopter. That was very exciting. I flew around South Carolina Chereokee Indian Reservation. They still was living in teepees. Living off of the land. That was very interesting. Thanks Tiffany for that treat.

I was in Miami. My cousin Marcus AKA Black & his wife Shermika rented out a yacht for her birthday. While everyone was partying, I made my way to met the Captain of the ship. I introduced myself, then asked can I drive it. He told me yeah. “Boom radio please. This is Captain Dilla speaking. Get a drink, relax as I take you on a voyage. Lmao. Shermika came to me like Don, were you driving the boat? I stared at her strangely, like she had something on her face. She started touching her face. Once she grabbed her nose. I was like “you found it. Keep yo nose on yo face, not in my business.” She slapped me on my shoulder laughing said “you dayum fool.” Rotflmao. I always get her with that. Shout out to Marcus & Shermika for providing that experience.

Earlier in the book I introduced Ben. He the one who had the dirt bike. Once we got older he never got a bike. I use to let him ride my bike. He would only go around the block a couple times. He never hit main streets. Well he finally got his 1st bike. I stopped riding because of my hand. Me & my son was heading to work and I seen a bike on the ground. I’m like why that look like Ben’s bike. But he was nowhere in sight. As I continue to drive, I finally see him on the ground. I was in disbelief. He was unconscious. I called him to the ambulance & police. A car did a hit & run. I stayed there talking to him. Gave the police his information.

Alerted his family. Right now he is doing ok. He’s in a wheelchair. Say a prayer for him & send some blessings.

In 2020 when the pandemic hit, kids was out of school. Families wasn’t eating. I was seeing at risk youth and adults who was just hanging out. I wanted to change my neighborhood & help out at the same time. I don’t condone the looting & stealing. I would rather work for my money. So I started a company called Mow the Block. Where I could be a life coach & a boss. I was bringing positive vibes to people. Parents was happy, I was a mentor to their kids.

Each 1 teach 1 is the motto. We all can be positive and change these kids’ mindset. Let’s put out positivity. Show change.

I have dreams & aspirations of doing adventurous things. Skydiving. I want to surf. I would also like to dive off of a cliff into a nice deep lake or pond. Climbing a mountain doesn't sound bad either. I just really want to enjoy life, have fun, make everlasting memories. Life is too short. Enjoy it while you can. You only get 1. Cherish it & make the best of it. To all the bike riders who lost their lives, throttle hand held high. Cranking it. Much love.

One night I was at White Castle on 79th and Stony Island. I had just got my new bike. A new Road Glide Ultra Harley with a 26” wheel on front. Had a banging sound system.

Had a nice thick pretty female on the back. She wanted to do a Lake Shore run. We riding north on Lake Shore enjoying the scenery. I’m playing one of my favorite songs, Zoom by the Commodores.

I keep seeing a light coming towards me. “I may be just a foolish dreamer. But I don’t care cause I know my happiness is waiting out there somewhere.” This light is almost in front of me. Dayum it’s a guard count time. I was dreaming my dream. Thanks for taking time to read my memoir. Stay blessed.

This book is dedicated to my son Deion. His life was cut short, just before his 20th birthday. Live life to the fullest. Enjoy life. Respect life & value life.

Love you son.

Fly high.

Love Life Enjoy Life Be Happy

Donald Gray I Am I’m from Home of the Old Fashioned Donut And the birthplace of Harold’s Chicken.

I’m from a city with the best skyline in the world And the most bloodshed in the streets.

I’m from a city where all the professional teams won a championship I’m from the triple digits, the 100s I’m from a city where if you make it to 18 years old, it's a milestone I’m from a city that’s windy and the bullets are plenty I am from Chicago, the southside God made the 100s, man made them wild.

Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb Copyright

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