I was given the unique opportunity to meet Dr. Angelou aboard her luxury liner tour bus while she was in town for a speaking engagement at Metro circa 2005ish. Ashara Ekundayo and Matema Hadi organized the meeting and I found myself seated in front of this woman whos work had such a profound effect on my life and gave definition to every name I had ever called myself until that point; woman, writer, poet, black girl. Her words were a roadmap to survival and her strength a command to thrive. I sat with her for a short while which seemed like an eternity. I observed her face, and how the stories of her life had carved their way into the mahogany of her skin. I was impressed by her stature and felt small like I needed to kneel at her feet and listen to her for the rest of my life. We spoke and my brain could not process every word and attach it to a memory because my heart was beating faster than the speed of thought. She left me with a charge to walk strong, talk loud, and carry a big stick! She laughed and slapped her knee, called me Daughter smiled a lot with her eyes, and made me feel like I could conquer the world! I reluctantly left. The tour bus, walked toward my car and immediately called my mom. By the time she answered, I was blinded by a fury of hot tears and strangled by my own voice sobbing! I wept. I hollered. Hard. I cried because I was grateful. So. Very. Grateful. My heart was so full that day I thought it might burst in my chest. Now as I write this knowing Dr. Angelou has left this place and that body only a spirit as grand as hers could have occupied and commanded with such grace for 86 years, Im grateful. Fighting through the tears and heaving chest to say Thank you. Your gifts are innumerable. I will forever celebrate your life. Rest in power Dr. Angelou. Rest well. Love, Your Daughter
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 16:06:31 +0000
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