life beyond the well…


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time keeps on slippin’ into the future…

It’s extremely difficult to write this post.  It’s been extremely difficult for me to get through this day.  Today marks two years since my grandmother passed away.

I still have days that are overwhelmingly difficult; days where I just want to pick up the phone and call.  I’ve wanted to tell her about my new job, about how excited I am for the changes to come.  There’s just so much to catch up on.

Nevertheless, I love how God works.  While searching the Internet to see if I could find a copy of the obituary, I discovered an article on my grandmother.  This article, written in 2004 is a small peek into who she was.  But there are two things that I love about it: #1- there’s a picture, and she looks exactly how I remember her, #2- it reads like a conversation with her.  I can read this and feel like I’ve been talking to her.

It doesn’t get any easier…but I’m consistently reminded of ways that I’ve been blessed to have had her for as long as I did, and that’s something to be grateful for.

“I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice. Still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they’re gone. I guess I just miss my friend.” ~The Shawshank Redemption


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In the Spirit of Independence…

In all honesty, Independence Day has never meant much to me; other than some good sales at the mall, good barbeques and time well spent with family and friends. As a lover of history and someone proud to be American, I understand the historical context and significance of July 4. As an African American, it is sometimes difficult for me be excited about the country that I live in declaring independence from their oppressors; only to inflict oppression on others. It’s a dichotomy that I struggle with.

However, the Fourth of July Holiday for this year is a little different for me because of the upcoming changes in my life. In less than 2 weeks, I will be packing up a moving truck and heading down to South Florida; to pursue my dream of being a Social Studies Teacher. It’s an exciting change; however, it makes me nervous. To have the opportunity to do what you’ve always dreamed of doing is so awesome- and it’s an opportunity that could change my life. The nervousness is natural- going to a place that’s unfamiliar and trying to figure out the way of life; along with meeting new people, finding a new church, all of that type of stuff. I’ve made a move before- from North Carolina to Athens, GA, but it was slightly different- moving to go to graduate school is a different type of move than a career move.

At any rate, I suppose that I am declaring my own independence- more and more. I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to experience life in different places, especially at such a young age. Despite my nervousness, I’m confident that things will go well; however, I’m grateful to even have the opportunity to pursue my dreams and my passions. I’m thankful for family and friends who have been supportive and encouraging, and who have helped me get over my initial “OH MY GOSH, WHAT HAVE I DONE” moments after deciding to move.

Here’s to striking it out on your own, to pursuing the road less traveled, to not being afraid to declare your independence.

“To find a dream and a life of their own/A place in the clouds, a foundation of stone/Many precede and many will follow/A young girl’s dream no longer hollow…” ~Dixie Chicks, Wide Open Spaces

“I can see it in the stars across the sky/Dreamt a hundred thousand dreams before/Now I finally realize/You see, I’ve waited all my life for this moment to arrive/And finally, I believe…” ~Fantasia, I Believe