"A picture's worth a thousand words"

Hello Phenom-Queens!

Have you ever struggled to articulate how much of an impression a person or a thing has made on your life? Over the last couple of weeks; I've tossed around words in my mind and tried to encapsulate in a sentence the indelible impression made on me as I viewed the viral image created by artist, Bria Goeller that took the internet by storm following the presidential election. I'm sure you've seen it by now but in case you haven't, do yourself a favor and search for it online or check it out on social media. It has the shadow of activist Ruby Bridges as a child followed by present day Vice President Elect, Kamala Harris.

I'd just exhaled as my friend called me joyfully speaking in a high pitched voice through my phone stating that President Elect, Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris were announced. We'd been watching the numbers for days just as everyone else and bounced between excitement and angst. After speaking with that friend, I began texting other friends and received in response the image. I quickly began texting it out to others that I know.

Up until now, I couldn't put my finger on what the emotion was that showered over me as I viewed the artist's interpretation. I was overcome with emotion; I shouted out loud in my home, I shed tears and I felt a heaviness lift off of me that apparently had taken up a comfortable space in my aura. I was immediately moved to jump on here and share with my Phenom-Queen acquaintances (destined to be friends). But I couldn't just yet because I wasn't able to write it out. It's taken me some days to put my finger on what I've been feeling.

It came to me today on what would have been my mother's 67th birthday. The feeling that you get when you recognize yourself in someone's eyes. I saw myself, I saw the world that is possible for my son and for all black boys and girls. After months of tip toeing through this pandemic; witnessing the atrocity of unjust police brutality involving black men and women, having to say goodbye to my father suddenly and truthfully just dealing with life... I felt that thing again! That feeling I used to get when I'd call my mother when things were getting really tough after I'd left home and she'd begin to speak on the other end of the receiver. I rarely got around to telling her that I was feeling discouraged. I listened to her speak about nothing in particular. Then I'd remember all that she'd gone through. By the time we finished talking I'd be re-filled with a sense that I could press forward just a little more because well...I witnessed her do it. The feeling that washed over me when I received the image was one of renewed HOPE.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Mama!

~We sure do miss you, forever and always~