Love, Not Fear, Is the Answer Maybe????

Since the 4th of July, my life has been filled with lots of people whom I actually really like, creating memories that I will cherish forever. However, today, I woke up and did not have one place that I needed to go or one person that I needed to see. So, I sort of did not know what to do with myself.

I ate my breakfast and cooked my favorite brussel sprout recipe, and I needed to leave the house. I am not one of those people who can sit in the house all day. I need to go out and see 'what the world is doing,' then I can go back home and relax. And, that is exactly what I did today; I had my eyebrows waxed and my car cleaned, and now I am in my one of my favorite places, my balcony, doing what I love to do, write.

I learned of the Trayvon Martin verdict during my Sororities' National Convention, and when I saw an older, Black woman with tears streaming down her eyes as I left the bathroom on Saturday, that image struck me in a way that I could not quite process at that time.

However, on my way back home from seeing 'what was going on the world,' I was listening to this song that says "An Incredible God Deserves Incredible Praise," and I started to cry uncontrollable. I was thinking about the fact that Trayvon Martin never got the chance to know "How Good Life Is!" I thought about a boy, walking home from the store, probably talking to a friend about something light and fun on the phone, and suddenly being robbed of life, and I thought about my own life....

My life ain't perfect, but it is good. My love for everything is deeper than it has ever been before. I love people, outdoors, my health, more than I could ever imagine. And, the more I love, the more love seems to come right back to me with the same intensity that I give it, and it feels so good......

As I was driving, I thought about the idea that at 17 and 18 years of age, most people have not tapped into that type of intense love that makes life great. Most people at 17 or 18 are concerned with themselves and their immediate needs, and I am sure that Trayvon was no different. Think about all of the things that he will never experience deeply and profoundly...My heart truly hurts at that thought, but GOD!

I think about how this incident and the verdict evoke fear. I have heard many Black mothers say that they are not sure what they should tell their sons; these mothers are fearful....

I am not a mother, but if I had a son, I would want him to do what I believe Trayvon Martin did and that is fight for his life. But the thought that fighting for ones life, might end my brown boy's life early is more than I can wrap my mind around right now...Soooo, what does a brown mother tell her brown son?

My little seven year old niece, Tia, stated that a mother should tell her son "To Be Brave, and Trust in God!" (Out of the Mouth of a Babe!)

It seems that racial tension in this country is bubbling over, and I feel a little fearful. However, I've had to remind myself that acting in fear ALWAYS leads to negative outcomes. Maybe, I and this country need to focus on love more.

So, today I am sending love to Trayvon Martin and everyone who love him, to all brown boys in the world, to my friends, to my family, to Zimmerman and his family, to the juror and their families, to this country and its racial tension, to the judge who preceded over the case, to the universe.....

AND, when I focus on the love....Fear seems to leave!

Love, Not Fear, Is the Answer Maybe?