Maya

On the phone with Ma today,

Me: "This is just too much. All the great people are leaving us! First it was Madiba and now it's Maya? Pretty soon there won't be any more great people left."

Ma: "Well... it was their time to go.  More will have to come."

When I was in 6th grade I did my year-end project on Maya Angelou. At first it was for no reason at all; I was vaguely aware of her as someone who's important but didn't really know why. Through that project I discovered one of the most wise and beautiful souls that has ever graced this earth. From my enthusiastic attempt to comprehend I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in 6th grade she's stayed with me, like the grandma that I never had. Her lessons have been invaluable to me and I won't ever forget her.

Rest in Peace and Power, Maya Angelou.