R.I.P. Dr. Maya Angelou

     I found out about Dr. Angelou's passing during my conference period at work, and I am just blown away. Reading remarks from different people about how her works have touched their lives had me all in my feelings. But why? I mean it's not like I've read any of her works lately, or even in the last decade. It's not like I keep up with her life. So why am I sad? 
     It's because I remember. I remember reading "Phenomenal Woman" for the first time as a middle school kid. I remember reciting it for a drama festival (and winning a superior for it). I remember how it made me feel: strong, invincible, gifted and talented. Remembering how her words affected me. Hearing the wisdom in her words, for sayings like, "if someone shows you who they are, believe them", "If you don't like something,,change it. If you an't change it, change your attitude", "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", "Nothing will work, unless you do", "While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God's creation" and so many other sayings that hold such wisdom. 

     The people who mourn her don't just mourn the loss of some truly awesome poetry and books, we mourn the loss of wisdom. We mourn a soul that has touched millions. A friend (Symone) said that she looked at Dr. Angelou as a grandmother. Someone she could sit at her feet while she sat in a rocking chair while she imparted priceless wisdom and knowledge. This is true. I think back to the movie, "Tyler Perry's: Madea's Family Reunion" and I think back on what it would have been like to sit at her feet while she recited the poem "In and Out of Time". I'll never know, but I get the feeling it would have been life changing and nothing short of amazing. 
     I'll never get a chance to meet such a fabulous person and amazing soul. I'll never get to sit int he back of an auditorium and hear her speak. I'll never get to just see her in person. I will however, get to remember her through her works of art. She once said that, "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'll never forget how reading her works made me feel, how empowered I felt in that moment. Thank you, Dr. Maya Angelou for your contribution to my life and for your contribution to countless others lives. Rest well.