Tonight I went to a community event at the Arena stage. The Wendt Center, a local agency that provides grief and loss services, organized Voices of Now an autobiographical play about the teen ensemble cast's experiences of dealing with death.
The work was gripping. I welled with tears at the bravery with which these youth confronted the myriad of feelings associated with losing a loved one. Their words swept across the audience and ignited a flurry of tissues being pulled out and passed around to soak up the emotion that flooded the theater.
I was proud. I was happy. I was sad. I was encouraged to remember my past, both my own losses and my work as a counselor, and also moved to think about what I want to do next. A part of me was fired up about helping to ensure that more black and brown faces were reflected in work of this magnitude. Another part of me thought about my own family and the stories we have to tell. The impact that we could make. The healing that would transpire.
I'm really moved. I feel charged, like I want to make something happen right now. Like I don't want to let this energy die. I simply pray for guidance and direction.
To the youth who presented, thank you for your courage to help us all heal.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Moms, one of God's absolute BEST Creations!
I'm always giving people strong hints about coming to visit me. My mom is no exception. She's come before, but it was with my nieces and sisters and for a short period of time. I wanted a weekend all to myself.
Well, two Fridays ago I waited proudly at the Greyhound station in my bright red Howard sweatshirt, jeans, and high top Chucks. I was a giddy girl peering into the tinted windows of the bus trying to guess which seat my mom would emerge from as she exited. Finally, after rows and rows of strangers, there she was, in her familiar huge grin and new signature butterfly shaped turquoise glasses. My Momma.
We took off running. That night we had dinner at Eggspectation, courtesy of Lawrence, and then made our way stuffed and swollen back to the apartment. Saturday we made the matinee of Tyler Perry's Temptation and then hit up the vendors who'd gathered downtown for the weekly market.
My mom's captivating presence and spirit saw to it that we made new friends. A women who'd admired her style and our relationship from a distance sat with us on a bench outside and for about an hour. We shared stories back and forth about our lives, who we were, and where our paths were leading. It was like old time friends. But we were new to each other.
Later, when trying to make our way back to the apartment for a break, we happened upon a free henna tattoo station. We waited in a short line and one after another, we got tatted up with beautiful designs. Our hands might have well been in a cast for all the care that we took not to let not even a particle of dust affect the intricate drawing. We dabbed the backsides of our palms all night and for the next few days with the lemon sugar cotton ball the artist gave us in hopes of preserving the richness of the henna brown. Mom wanted to be able to have it for when she returned to work so her coworkers could see evidence of her fun. I wanted mine to linger long as a reminder of this mother-daughter time.
By Saturday afternoon it became clear that her trip needed to be extended. We did just that. So much for her Sunday return. We had more fun to have.
For the remainder of our time we filled the days with food galore, meandering through the shops, and happening upon some new favorite finds like the green tea concoction from Smoothie King and even Yoga!!!! With our new mats from Marshall's we walked into a local studio for a beginners class and had the most amazing zen time! We braved an hour and a half class at Willow Street on Fenton and birthed my new love for the practice.
And I did it all with my momma. On Monday morning, the day of her departure, we carried the fun to the very last minute. We stuffed our bellies with brunch and reminisced about the two movies we saw, our henna tatts, our new friends, how we were NOT ready for how intense Temptations was, and the hearty laughs we got from our second movie, Big Wedding. I was bubbling with joy all the way until chasing down her bus on Colesville Road for one last "see ya next time" wave.
Just yesterday, I watched Mother Maya Angelou gloat with Oprah about the brilliance, beauty, and loving spirit of her own mother. Her joy resonated with me deeply. Even as a grown woman, you revel in the warmth and happiness that only a mom can provide.
I will cherish that weekend as one of the greatest moments of my life.
Well, two Fridays ago I waited proudly at the Greyhound station in my bright red Howard sweatshirt, jeans, and high top Chucks. I was a giddy girl peering into the tinted windows of the bus trying to guess which seat my mom would emerge from as she exited. Finally, after rows and rows of strangers, there she was, in her familiar huge grin and new signature butterfly shaped turquoise glasses. My Momma.
We took off running. That night we had dinner at Eggspectation, courtesy of Lawrence, and then made our way stuffed and swollen back to the apartment. Saturday we made the matinee of Tyler Perry's Temptation and then hit up the vendors who'd gathered downtown for the weekly market.
My mom's captivating presence and spirit saw to it that we made new friends. A women who'd admired her style and our relationship from a distance sat with us on a bench outside and for about an hour. We shared stories back and forth about our lives, who we were, and where our paths were leading. It was like old time friends. But we were new to each other.
Later, when trying to make our way back to the apartment for a break, we happened upon a free henna tattoo station. We waited in a short line and one after another, we got tatted up with beautiful designs. Our hands might have well been in a cast for all the care that we took not to let not even a particle of dust affect the intricate drawing. We dabbed the backsides of our palms all night and for the next few days with the lemon sugar cotton ball the artist gave us in hopes of preserving the richness of the henna brown. Mom wanted to be able to have it for when she returned to work so her coworkers could see evidence of her fun. I wanted mine to linger long as a reminder of this mother-daughter time.
By Saturday afternoon it became clear that her trip needed to be extended. We did just that. So much for her Sunday return. We had more fun to have.
For the remainder of our time we filled the days with food galore, meandering through the shops, and happening upon some new favorite finds like the green tea concoction from Smoothie King and even Yoga!!!! With our new mats from Marshall's we walked into a local studio for a beginners class and had the most amazing zen time! We braved an hour and a half class at Willow Street on Fenton and birthed my new love for the practice.
And I did it all with my momma. On Monday morning, the day of her departure, we carried the fun to the very last minute. We stuffed our bellies with brunch and reminisced about the two movies we saw, our henna tatts, our new friends, how we were NOT ready for how intense Temptations was, and the hearty laughs we got from our second movie, Big Wedding. I was bubbling with joy all the way until chasing down her bus on Colesville Road for one last "see ya next time" wave.
Just yesterday, I watched Mother Maya Angelou gloat with Oprah about the brilliance, beauty, and loving spirit of her own mother. Her joy resonated with me deeply. Even as a grown woman, you revel in the warmth and happiness that only a mom can provide.
I will cherish that weekend as one of the greatest moments of my life.
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