Krewe Toast: Fat Tuesday 2022

There is a Cajun phrase, “tu may manques,” which in English means “I miss you” but in Cajun it means “You are missing from me…” Brothers and sisters, we have been missing from each other for far, far, far too long!

We were missing from our city, from our cultures, from our rituals, from our intertwined souls in the spinning spirit of our undulating lives. But now, here, today, we stand at Chartres and Dumaine, bloody but unbowed. And in the sightlines and visions of our gazing and adoring hearts we finally see our friends and lovers again. Adorned friends and lovers, treasured friends and lovers, eternal friends and lovers.

Brothers and sisters, it’s later than we think! Embark from our sacred corner today with this one task: If you see something beautiful, say something beautiful!

Brothers and sisters, it aint Ash Wednesday just yet. We have these limited, long, last moments. Let us embrace each other, and more importantly, embrace our dear old city, whose sweet, vibrant spirit has been missing from us far far, far, far too long. Brothers and sisters, raise your glasses, or whatever you happen to have, to our beloved and consecrated city of New Orleans!