The Legacy of Maya Angelou

This past week I met a friend for lunch, and we got to talking about child abuse. Yeah, we usually get into some pretty deep topics. We have that kind of friendship. We were discussing whether or not a 3-year old child would remember a physical beating as an adult. We both agreed the child might not "remember" per se, but would feel the damage of it in someway. Then my friend profoundly said, (without knowing she was quoting part of one of my favorite quotes), "If nothing else, that child will definitely remember how it made him/her feel." Wow. The truth of that statement left me speechless.

I grew up hearing Maya Angelou's quotes used quite often on the Oprah Winfrey show. I watched all 25 years, and am a wiser person for it. I loved Maya's quotes like, "When you know better, you do better"; "I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it"; “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude"; "When you learn, teach. When you get, give." The list goes on and on. She was a very wise woman. Oprah and she were extremely close friends, and this must be an incredible loss for her like it is for the whole world.

Amongst other things, Maya is being remembered for being a mother; professor; poet; editor; actor; speaker; and award-winning memoirist. She is well-known for her speech, 'On the Pulse of Morning,' on the occasion of the Presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton.

Her poetry has touched the souls of people all over the world. Her quotes just 'stick' in our heads, at least they do for me.

When people talk about Maya's death, there is a sadness there, but also this 'knowing' that she lived a good life. She's being known for making a difference in the world through her gift of language. She has left a 'mark' behind in some way. In my opinion, she has left behind an extraordinary legacy. Isn't that what we all want and hope to achieve? I know I do. 

Maya was a phenomenal woman and deeply humble. She was a graceful woman of faith who rose above poverty, abuse and violence to teach us how we, too, can transform our lives. She simply radiated joy and dignity. 

I will honor her and read her acclaimed poetry collection I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiography about her childhood in Arkansas. I regret not reading it many years ago; it is a shame that I didn't. I hear it's worth reading, and I suspect I will find some treasures there. I am thankful that she shared with the world her amazing gift of language through her poetry and songs. I hope you take some time to read her writings. It will be a special treat, I promise you.

I do "know for sure" (a lesson from Maya) is she is being remembered for what she wrote in her very own words. I sense this is something she would've wanted.

"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." ~Maya Angelou

So, thank you Maya for the lessons learned. May you rest in peace.