She’s There

Posted byLESSONS LEARNED FROM THE RAINBOWPosted inUncategorized

Sometimes, driving backroads with my favorite song blaring, I see her.

I catch glimpses of her in the rearview mirror, her smile, the old sparkle in her eye.

When an old jazz tune plays, while standing at the kitchen sink, I hear her hum.

The unguarded spirit pouring through her body, and out her mouth with no regard

Most I’ve loved are long gone, but still, she remains, defiantly, obstinate

Taking each hit on the chin, feet sternly planted, unwavering, she holds strong.

And in the darkest of moments, just when life thinks its got the best of me, she comes.

Her spirit, her strength, her youthfulness appears in the corner of my eye

The girl that disregarded the rules, the girl that carved her own path

The girl that created her own shelter and held herself through tears

The girl that stood toe to toe with every foe and fear

The girl who I used to be, the girl that created me; she’s still there deep in me.

Published by LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE RAINBOW

As a poor kid growing up in the Mississippi Delta, there was never alot of hope or many opportunities. But, for 30 minutes, if I could sit in front of my tv, I could go anywhere and be anything through the magic of Reading Rainbow. That show brought so much light into some really dark days; and I carried the lessons I learned through the storytelling of Lavar Burton for all my life. Now that I am a grandmother, I've come to realize the significance of Reading Rainbow and the role it played in making me the woman I am today. I feel that the cruelty in this world has hardened my heart against the hope and valorous spirit that I once had. I am hoping that by revisiting Reading Rainbow; and the stories covered over its expansive reign on Public Access Television, I will regain the love for life and craving for adventure that the little girl growing up on Hunter Road had over 40 years ago.

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