Dear Maya Angelou,

I pray you read this letter from your home in heaven. I wanted to say thank-you for the time that you spent on earth fighting for civil rights, teaching, advocating and speaking for those whom voice was not heard; through poetry, dance, singing and acting. You were more than an activist. You were more than a writer/poet. You were more than a scholar. You were much more. You were a child of the high king who entrusted you with history. You were the daughter of a noble leader who gave you a sacred task. You were the student of the king of kings who asked you to teach lessons of love, life, integrity and spirituality. You were the student of all scholars who entrusted you with wisdom because you asked him so liberally. You were a daughter, mother, teacher, leader and a African monarch.

Your death scorns…

You are given a stage. A stage that is empty. One to be filled with stories.

A stage with a theme, genre and pre-ratings.

When you come on stage there is a silence and you are the actor without training, or experience.

You step out unaware, and then the curtain rises and you are standing- SHOW TIME

Every scene builds and drops with an ending that is inevitable without perfect timing and you are never on time.

You are given life.

Sometimes it feels like there is a question that you have yet to answer. We are wondering and trying to find the idea of self. I know I get discouraged feeling as if I am in limbo waiting. I hear the opinions of others concerning my life and everyone is telling me different paths to take. When what I really need is for someone to listen and to be a support as I set my own path/course of direction.

Trust yourself! No one knows you (besides God) better. You matter, and your life is worth living. You are loved and you are the kings (God) beloved. You have a voice and I ask you to use it. You have what you need. 

I want to encourage your heart and speak to your mind words of peace, faith, love and hope. No matter your age, health, sex, sexual orientation, economic status…

God,

You know our struggles, you share our concerns, and our pain. When we cry, you cry. When we smile, you smile. When we mourn, you mourn, for that is how passionate and loving you are. You created humans in hope that we too would choose to have a relationship with you; with freewill intended. God, you have invited us into your home and have offered us love, compassion, liberty, freedom, and an abundant amount of grace. In a world of chaos, grief, loss, hate and sadness; in a world where the earth is crying out for your presence, in a world where your children are homeless, hungry, sick and in need you have sent us leaders and given your word of hope, unconditional love and peace. You don’t force us to serve you, for you have given us freewill.

My prayer tonight is that you strengthen your people for…