A TRIBUTE TO MY QUEEN

You were the epitome of womanhood. You loved beyond distraction. Once given, your love could never be revoked. You taught that same kind of love to all of those who knew you. Race, creed, or color, tall, or short, rich or poor, did not matter. Good or bad did not matter, you loved in spite of, not simply because of.

You asked for nothing, and yet you gave everything. You taught compassion understanding, tolerance, respect, justice, and yes, evn that it makes us greater, at times, to simply walk away from ignorance, than to stand and attempt to correct, justify, or match it. It is, after all, as you have said on so many occasions, , “If there are two of you screaming and shouting at each other, how is the innocent passerby to determine which of you is the fool?”

This, of course, didn’t make sense to me, as a child. However, I fully comprehend what you were saying, now. Sometimes its just smarter to walk away. We should never become that which we despise, simply to confront, or bring attention to it. There are other ways, and I thank you so very much for the wisdom that you have given. me to know when the time to walk away is at hand.

I thank you for the love you have shown me, and countless others. I thank you for teaching us that simply because we don’t understand something, doesn’t make it wrong, it simply means we need to educate ourselves on the matter. I love your ability to see both sides of any situation. It has challenged me, more often than I care to admit. There were so many times that you should have given up on me, but didn’t, thank you for that.

Your quiet dignity, you ability to smile, even when I knew your were hurting, gives me the courage to go on, even though, at times it seems as if my world has been turned on its axis. It is at these times that I remember you the most. I remember your quiet spirit, your soft vocie, and gentle touch. Sometimes it seems as if your presence with me is palpable, so much if fact that I think that I can reach out and touch you. But that is no longer my reality.

You were my mother, my friend, my biggest fan. I will always love you. You were the woman that I strive to become. I am not yet there, but every day that I live is a new opportunity to accomplish that goal. Thank you for simply being you.