Dear Dumplin,
Today is a sad day in American history. Dr. Maya Angelou has died. Born April 4, 1928 as Marguerite Ann Johnson, Dr. Angelou was a woman who touched many hearts and minds. The amazing thing about Dr. Angelou is that she taught people how to act and carry themselves through her words. It is important in life to absorb all that your elders have to teach you even if you don’t immediately agree. They will not be around forever, and you will miss them when they are gone. If you listen, in time the words they spoke will make sense and you will have something to guide you.
I could write many many pages about the wonderful things Dr. Angelou has accomplished, but I won’t. You will have to do some research and learn about her history on your own. I have two reasons for writing to you.
-
Dr. Angelou is the perfect example of what womanhood can be. She did not let her environment determine who and what she would become. Instead she followed her spirit (essentially God) and let that guide her. You can do that too.
-
Words have power. Maya Angelou wrote endless poems and books. She spoke words that people will continue to repeat. In fact, your Auntie Shawnice gave me the book “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou with paintings by Paul Guaguin for my birthday one year. I still have it and read it from time to time. Be careful with your words. Have a purpose for your words. Do not waste your words. Once they are out into the world, you cannot bring them back.
I hope when you are older you will love Dr. Maya Angelou as much as the world does now. Here are three of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes.
-
“When people show you who they are, believe them.”
-
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-
“I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare.”
Repeat these to yourself often. They cannot steer you wrong
Love,
Mama