Celebrating life in the NW

March 9, 2008

Yesterday I visited the newly opened Northwest African American Museum in Seattle. How exciting to see this long-cherished dream of many finally realized. John and I did not attend the opening ceremony, but we did walk through the museum and enjoy some of the other opening day festivities. My favorite part of the museum is the Jacob Lawrence exhibit currently on display in one of the galleries. I’ve never seen Mr. Lawrence’s work before. I was drawn in by the paintings because of the rich, vibrant colors and the curvy lines. Like me, JL loved chocolate brown. I’m not sure how long the Lawrence exhibit will be on display at the NAAM, so if you are anywhere nearby, see it soon and visit the museum often.

Visiting a museum makes me think more about my legacy than I usually do. I examined documents and photographs pertinent to the community of African Americans here in the Pacific Northwest and thought of my own ancestors and past. My roots are in the southeast region (North Carolina and Alabama) and like my parents, I was born in New Jersey. Still, for nearly 10 years I have made my home in Western Washington. That’s more than half my adult life here and at present I have no plans to leave. What will be my contribution to this region’s history? What will be my legacy? These are good questions to which I have no ready or detailed answers. That’s fine for now. I’m willing to allow my path to reveal itself and my life to unfold. What I do know is that my legacy will have something to do with Love. Of that I’m certain because love is who I am and what I do.

Yesterday at the museum I danced to African drums with women I’ve never met before, cooed at adorable babies, engaged in some harmless flirting a handsome older gentleman in a Tuskegee Airman jacket and reminisced with him about the time I met General Benjamin O. Davis when I was a clinical laboratory trainee at Andrews Air Force Base. Later I delighted in feeling the warmth of the sun on my face as John and I strolled through the Pike Place Market in search of raw shea butter and Egyption Musk oil at a small African gift shop. Before heading home, we stopped by The Confectional –in my opinion this is Seattle’s best place for cheesecake and drinkable chocolate–before heading home again.

It was ALL good. I love it, love it, love it! I once read that the best and highest praise one could ever express is to sincerely declare, “I love my life!” I agree. And indeed I do love my life.

Posted in Fun