[InionGrinn]

Hi everyone, how we all doin'?

I had a great experience the other night and thought I would share...

I had the opportunity to hear Maya Angelou speak at my alma mater the other evening. Can I just tell you it was amazing, inspirational, uplifting. If you ever have the opportunity to hear her in person, go grab a ticket. Her voice is just amazing.

Her talk was aimed mainly at the college-aged people in the audience but I took a lot out of it. It had nothing to do with adoption but of course I linked that up myself.

One of the things she mentioned is that "we have all been paid for." No matter where we come from, we have a history of people that have paved the way for us, from Eastern Europe, to Africa, to Asia, all around. We are here because of who has come before us and "paid our way".

That hit home to me, especially when she said "now whose way will YOU pay for?" Wow. Yes, we do have a duty, don't we? Thought of my kids first and foremost, then the people around me... sometimes you don't even know who you are touching, you know?

She also recited a poem/song with the chorus being "this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine" and spoke about how we ALL can be a light. I remember this song from my childhood, my mother always told me to let my light shine.

Anyway, I hope I can be a light and I thank the posters here for being lights. We are all helping one another in significant ways, even though we will probably never meet. Many of you birthmoms, adoptees and adoptive parents have helped pay MY way as I journey through this season of learning and discovery.

Just thanks.

[crick]

What a lovely post!!!

I love Maya!! And, I too have great memories of my mom singing that song to me as a child.

It's a great reminder to us all, and thank you for posting!