A Dream Come True

I am born of a generation of Black Women who had little love given to them and an equal measure of love to share. They labored in the light of their love before the dark realities of their children's fates reminded them that to love was futile...forbidden. Their love was kidnapped by fear. Try as they might their love would certainly be snatched away and sold to the highest bidder, slaughtered and hung like cattle, or caged and released only after it had forgotten how to fly. But until then, what little resources they could find for themselves were used as their expression of love for their children, their tribespeople, and if any remained themselves. The God in them manifested in their abilities to keep all of their bellies full with nothing more than a small loaf of bread and two fish.

When the night would fall upon them, their dreams were where the darkness would meet the light again. But before the day would break, their nightmares would be there, ready to hijack their light...again. I was born and raised in this tribe. I stole away in search of the liberation I heard about from my Mother's dreams.

The journey was long and arduous. There were mountains that I had to climb with just my bare hands and feet. Valleys that were strewn with landmines that I needed to traverse despite the fears I'd inherited. There were waterfalls that I knew better than to chase yet they would find and nearly drown me still. I was never taught to swim but I learned how to float. There, at the base of the rapids formed by the water's rage, I could look up to the heavens. Within them, I could see the glimmer of hope, my North Star. Its light revealed a new terrain. It became my compass, a new guide that led me here.

I didn't start this journey alone but I've arrived here alone. I tried to bring my loved ones with me. I did my very best to guide us all to safety but I didn't have a map, only the light from heaven to guide me through the dark. It was impossible for any of us to see where the road would lead us. They were in the darkness too. They believed that we were lost; their faith in me lost too. I can't blame them, and I won't.

I don't know how I got here. I don't recall making any right turns only that last time the road went left.

I am in the here and now; in the future that was once only in my mother's dream. I can dream now too; the picture that could only be developed in the darkness. My dreams are where the light in me meets the light from the heavens; like the light of a projector illuminating an empty awaiting canvas. Where the light of my past meets the light of my future; the light from the heavens, my North Star. This light has shown me the way that is yet to be traveled.

I am well rested and well resourced. I've journeyed back and have set up guide posts for others who are on their way. I cannot change the pitfalls of my past but as I journey forward I will continue to light my path, giving my loved ones what I did not have to give to them before, what my ancestors could only dare to dream of giving me.....a choice......a chance.

From Darkness to Light