I met someone, someone so special, from the moment she took my hand in hers I felt her blessing. She smiled at me and I felt seen for who I am and who I am inspired to be.
This young woman is a precious gift to a man of hope, to a man of many prayers, and one dream — men like me. This bright young woman fed me with her passion for justice, a justice that solves problems — not just surrendering to retribution. We studied solutions to improve living conditions for unseen hospice patients. She shared her vision to secure the safety of mistreated and unattended elderly. Her primary focus is to keep young teens, adolescence, out of the juvenile system. I find relief in her efforts. When I look into her brown eyes I see all things as possible, even for myself. She made me question myself: what good works could I do? What sacrifices should I make and on whose behalf? Am I exhibiting my power correctly?
It's not often I meet someone who makes me feel a type of way — someone so real and down to earth. I can't help but to listen, to learn, to love, and enjoy their company.
Skyflower is assertive and hardworking. She has made my heart sing new songs, challenge old ways. She gave me love and so I sang her a song. Her song wrote in her praise, to let her feel how I worship the change she creates for our community. The structure she drives for our society, the passion and honor in which she builds, skills, courage, trust, care, empathy, compassion, service … I honor the builder, this young pioneer and architect, this woman scholar of devotion. I've never been so inspired, but a true inspiration will do that to you.
I wanted to know more about her, where she came from. I wanted to know what made her and so I asked and she told me. She gave me more and we spoke like the moon that lights the sea. To get to know her, if only for a moment, was worth every part of my life that led me to her.
LA, East LA, she said — a place I've never known or ever seen. She made me respect this place, her home, the way she expressed her love for her city, her neighborhood, her upbringing. The excitement. She lights up with when she told me of her works down her streets, spending quality time with her folks, her family. She made me dream of palm trees and warm weather. I would love to take my grandmother to share in worship at her Spanish Pentecostal church. I'm intrigued by her wanting to teach me about her culture, her heritage. I wish I could cheer with her in the stands of her Dodger’s Stadium, and hold her hand when they win. I could see that where she came from was a part of her and not just a part of her journey, this home was truly in her heart. I'm so grateful for her friendship. I only hope now (my prayer for the Skyflower, my inspiration) is that she keeps faith, that she continues to change lives, that she keeps building … because she is a gift to the world. | LH