Today has become a testing time and a time of self-evaluation. This is also a time to recognize that we are a journey, not a destination. This is a time to elevate voices of hope and reimagine what is essential. This is a time to remember who we are today; what we can do comes with a price. And we must remember those who paid for it when we could not or did not ask. Sometimes, we need help remembering that their struggle was real.

“Until today, you may have misunderstood death. You may have been grieving or mourning the loss of a loved one, believing they were forever gone from your life. Today, be a living reflection of the dreams and love you shared with someone who has passed on.

“People never really die. They leave their bodies. They end their physical existence to continue their spiritual journey in another form, on another plane. A person who has entered the realm of reality that we call death is never beyond your love. Death is not a cold, dark, or frightening experience. It is an essential part of life that teaches us to believe in what we cannot see. Once you have loved someone, your love will keep them alive”. –Author Iyanla Vanzant.

This week, we will visit a place where memory resuscitates life. We will meet members of the Board of the Mt. Olive Cemetery Historical Preservation Society, whose mission is to emphasize the influence and contribution of African Americans regarding the history, education, development, growth, and culture of the Clarkesville, Tennessee, area. During my first conversation with board members, I was impressed that their volunteer commitment was born from a servant’s heart. They recognize and honor those who do not have a voice to remind us that their struggle was real.

Be inspired!