The song that perfectly fits my childhood is Runaway Love by Ludacris and Mary J. Blige. Every time I listen to the song or watch the video I picture myself. I owe it to my daughter to create a totally different life!
Dear Chowan:
I wish I had the strength, courage, and wisdom to turn this life around. I probably would have found a way to make a smile out of all those frowns. I wish I could have found a way to make sense of so much hurt and right all the wrongs you faced each and every day. I still remember how you used to lock yourself in the closet and hide under piles of clothes just so 'they' couldn't find you and couldn't hurt you anymore. Your love of literature and fictional characters has never changed. Your ability to get submerged in a good book was a way to soothe your pain. Through it all you kept smiling and never lost sight of your goal.....the goal to make it out your personal hell and never go back no mo'. You never stopped dreaming even though your spirit was crushed. You never stopped believing even when they said your best wasn't good enough. You proved countless people wrong when they said the apple didn't fall far from the tree. You kept hope alive and you blossomed into ME! I want to thank you for your perseverance and your belief in a brighter day. I admire your imagination and your ability to walk away. I can't help but acknowledge your ability to forgive and turn the other cheek....your grace and charisma, and your ability to stand up and speak. There were times when you smiled while crying inside. You held it together nicely while battling depression because of your parents deaths. There were days when nothing ever went your way but you never gave up. You held on and you stayed strong. You held on to the assurance that the world was bigger than your block, your city, and even your state. You always believed in love and the idea that failure was not a part of your inevitable fate. You always said 'failure is not an option' and you challenged yourself for ways to succeed. You have truly endured and paved the way for me to be ME.
I'm able to say that I'm still standing because I have a testimony that is still in progress. I had a rocky, tearful, painful, and interrupted childhood but I'm creating the happy ending that I would love to read about one day.
As with every post, I wish that everyone is Better, Brighter, and Blessed. Today I encourage everyone to write a letter to their younger self....soul search....dig deep.....discover what your dreams used to be before life took its toll....take back what the Devil stole!
Chowan Moore Aforo
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