Packed into the Evergreen gym sitting beside thankful strangers, I waited for Maya Angelou to emerge. She walked slowly toward the stage supported by a cane and a younger black man (her son?) As soon as she opened her mouth and sang the words that I'd been waiting to hear she had me, had all of us opening our hearts, minds, and eyes to her truths. She spoke of rainbows, she wove them in and out and then back in again through her stories of uncle Willie and Bailey and her "strange bird" mom. These, she said, were her rainbows- giving her light in the shadow of clouds.
I began to think about my own rainbows. All the people who have helped me become the person I am thankful to be, and some who have just passed through my life like shooting stars and left traces of light in their wake. I am compelled to thank them- like I am receiving some award (life?) or publishing my first book or composing liner notes. I think it's best not to wait....
First,
my mom - for taking care of me
my dad and family - for accepting me
my sisters - for sharing their incredible struggles and insights with me and looking out for me
my grandmother - for loving me unconditionally
my cousins - for playing and laughing with me
my aunts - for showing me what strong, beautiful women look like
my nieces and nephews - for teaching me to care and be silly
my Brad - for trusting me with his heart
my pal Abigail - for showing me what friendship is and introducing me to art
my teachers - for taking time and patience to share their gifts
I know this list is nowhere near complete, but it's a start. I also know that I haven't reached my full rainbow potential. Maya inspired me to ask how I can be a rainbow to others. It sounds sappy now, but she gave the metaphor life and substance.
I wonder how some (like Maya) travel through this life with more hardships than I can image yet persevere and succeed despite those troubles. The word resilient comes to mind, but even more than the ability to recover from difficulties, it is transcending those experiences. Perhaps it is because of (rather than in spite of) those struggles that some of us become fully actualized. She had me looking at my path and toward the future, trying to find ways to apply my own struggles toward achieving my dreams..... just grinning at the possibilities.
I began to think about my own rainbows. All the people who have helped me become the person I am thankful to be, and some who have just passed through my life like shooting stars and left traces of light in their wake. I am compelled to thank them- like I am receiving some award (life?) or publishing my first book or composing liner notes. I think it's best not to wait....
First,
my mom - for taking care of me
my dad and family - for accepting me
my sisters - for sharing their incredible struggles and insights with me and looking out for me
my grandmother - for loving me unconditionally
my cousins - for playing and laughing with me
my aunts - for showing me what strong, beautiful women look like
my nieces and nephews - for teaching me to care and be silly
my Brad - for trusting me with his heart
my pal Abigail - for showing me what friendship is and introducing me to art
my teachers - for taking time and patience to share their gifts
I know this list is nowhere near complete, but it's a start. I also know that I haven't reached my full rainbow potential. Maya inspired me to ask how I can be a rainbow to others. It sounds sappy now, but she gave the metaphor life and substance.
I wonder how some (like Maya) travel through this life with more hardships than I can image yet persevere and succeed despite those troubles. The word resilient comes to mind, but even more than the ability to recover from difficulties, it is transcending those experiences. Perhaps it is because of (rather than in spite of) those struggles that some of us become fully actualized. She had me looking at my path and toward the future, trying to find ways to apply my own struggles toward achieving my dreams..... just grinning at the possibilities.
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