FAREWELL MAYA ANGELOU: APRIL 4, 1928 ~ MAY 28, 2014

'Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.'

There are numerous tributes on line, in print & all media outlets on this esteemed woman whom I've followed since the late 60's.   I've been able to grasp important lessons from her successes and wisdom as well as her ability to learn and grow from her own failures and flaws. The latter preceded her ascension  to becoming  the griot and the sage the world has come to know and love.  God Bless you Ms. Angelou and I must believe that upon graduation; you now sit in the academy of truth and you have begun your studies on what all this was about! 

In my solitude and as I read the numerous articles on her life, the tributes and the personal memories of academicians, presidents, celebrities, students and people she's reached out to over the years; I'm awestruck by the life she had so passionately  and courageously lived.  As I viewed  the hearse that carried her remains this morning; one of her quotes on grief left me in tears and provided  some solace as well.

I answer the heroic question "Death, where is thy sting?" with "It is here in my heart and mind and memories." ~ Maya Angelou


***Programming Note:  Memorial Service for Dr. Angelou will stream live at Wake Forest University, Saturday ~ June 7th, 9:00a.m. central and 10:00a.m. eastern. Oprah Winfrey will also air the memorial service on OWN  June, 7th@ 9a.m. central & 10a..m. eastern time.  

Links:

"The caged bird that helped free the minds of racist America"
"Maya Angelou: Global Renaissance Woman"