in the spirit of…REVERENCE
MY ODE TO SUSAN L. TAYLOR…
As a little girl in the early 90's I remember standing in the grocery store lines next to my mom at checkout. Wide eyed and curious, I'd stare at all of the different publications on the stands. Inevitably there was always some beautiful black woman jumping off the shelves at me. With each gaze, I was certain that whomever was behind those pages could surely see through my soul.
These women on the front covers peering back, in all of their glory were black, brown, caramel, full lipped, round hipped representations of something I wanted to become.
I'm sure that my mother never understood why there was such a level of excitement in my eyes when she'd pick up these magazines, read them in line and take one home with us.
However, I knew that the minute she put it down, I'd pick it up and Suddenly my world views would be awakened, my horizon widened and my soul satisfied.
Finally The moment I waited for would be upon me. My mom would toss her Essence magazine aside and Unbeknownst to her I would scoop it up like a thief in the night.
There I was....able to read about all sorts of things that my 10 year old mind probably had no business processing at the time.
But then....There she was, wide smile, long braids, and a forehead just like mine. Her aura was bright. Her face was beautiful and the moment I read "in the spirit" I knew that Susan L Taylor was pure brilliance.
Her overall outlook on life and spiritual insights gave us something to talk about for decades. Furthermore she gave us something to strive toward for a lifetime
She wasn't a pastor, preacher or deacon but she recognized that we were all spiritual beings simply having a human experience. She went on to charismatically humanize that experience in a soothing, thought provoking way each month.
Her 20 year reign at Essence magazine was nothing short of amazing. She was all of the elements black women needed wrapped up in one. Air, earth, water and fire had nothing on her bringing the heat, the beat and breathing life into words that continuously flowed through us.
So....in the spirit of reverence, 10000 hours later I'd like to add a few flames to the fire she started. Flames that still burn within me from words that never expired when each months issue came off the shelves. Words that I hope may one day reach my daughters daughters generation touching the deepest parts of their being. Guided by a force that is all knowing and all seeing. This is my ode to Ms Taylor. Thank you for igniting pen to paper, for all those who needed to hear it and for doing it in the spirit!