Sankofa

Five months ago on this day I was walking out the door on the way to the airport.

Today I am walking out the door with a greater understanding of the world.

No one can take that away from me.

No one can change what happened.

And I’m okay with that.

I’m okay with that because I’ve learned a lot about myself,

And I’m not afraid to be me anymore.

I was.

But now I understand,

I can stand up because I have so much support behind me.

It’s about new experiences,

Facing challenges,

And it doesn’t have to happen in another country,

It can happen right here.

That’s what I’m learning now.

It’s okay to miss.

But it’s also okay to move forward.

I will carry these past four months with me,

Reflecting on the past,

Looking towards to the future,

That’s the meaning of the Sankofa bird,

Holding the egg of the future

While looking backward.

That will remind me,

To be.