I love words.
Sometimes, in the hours before dawn, I lay in bed with my eyes closed and say some of my favorite words over and over again - beauty, plain, genius, simple, wonder, ordinary, courage, human.
They are my comfort and joy as I prepare to give myself to the world.
I carry a copy of Webster’s dictionary in my back pocket. (A real, pocket-sized one)
If I have moments during the day when I’m still and silent, I open it and read a page and learn new words I never knew or ever used before.
Do you know the word ‘akimbo?’
As I say it aloud, it reminds me of the Malinke words I learned to speak when I lived in Mali.
The ‘a’ and the ‘o’ sounds flow like water around a giant rock ‘k.’
It reminds me of the Malinke words I learned to speak when I lived in Mali
It’s an adverb that means ‘hands on the hips with elbows turned outward.’
I often stand akimbo in the elementary school where I teach and write, giving students my ‘use words to build up, not to tear down...for creating, not chaos making’ look.
Sanctuary is my 2021 word.
The most important paper I wrote at UNC-Chapel Hill was about the Sanctuary Movement.
Have you heard of it?
It was an underground railroad of people and places that helped protect refugees fleeing violence in Central America in the 1980’s.
The movement is still alive and giving life today.
I love the idea of offering my life to help and protect others.
I love the idea of opening my heart as a sanctuary.
I love the idea of being a sanctuary.
For everyone.
For you.
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