An Eye for Nature

I remember cruising on the road going somewhere when I was little. All I can remember is trees and lakes. It took us a long time, and I guess that's the reason why I can't recall where we went. Overall, it was a beautiful sight and is probably what made me want to become a photographer.

Nature is so beautiful in my opinion, and I really enjoy it. It brings joy and peace to the state of my mind. Hopefully my children and their children will enjoy it as much as I do. I would like my ancestors to know that I believe that the most beautiful thing on this earth is the eye of nature.

A year from now on March 19, 2012 I would love to be practicing photography and exploring Georgia nature. That way, I will be able to share my love of nature with others. Maybe some random person who happens to see a photo I took will develop an eye for nature.

(Brittany Ward, 9th grade)

Image credit: Bonita Cutliff's blog

Dear Future Self (from K. Huggins)

Dear Future Self,

You know of all of your problems. You know that in your family girls have become pregnant early. Break the chains. Boys like sex. That's all they want. Say no to drugs. It's all bad. You know you are intelligent. Get into more academic clubs. You are thin for a reason; use your body for sports. "Love is blind." Don't judge a book by a cover. Everyone is equal. You're great, and don't you ever forget it. You're a beautiful, strong, intelligent, loving and caring mother and wife. You are one of the best medical doctors in the U.S. You've graduated from Spelman and Emory. You are married to a loving man. He is an architect, and together you make over thirty figures. You have two kids named MacKenzie Ashley Marie and Payton Jamal. They are beautiful. You live in a great house. You are lucky!

I love you,

Kayla

(Kayla Huggins, 9th grade)

Meeting My Birth Mother

I remember when I was twelve years old, and my mother told me that we had to go to court. At the time, I did not really think much of it. I thought she had to go to court for something she had done. When the next day came, we went to court and were sitting in there for hours when, eventually, a lady walked in. I noticed that I looked just like her. My mama looked at me and told me that the lady who looked like me was my birth mother. I always knew that the woman who raised me was not my birth mother. I just never knew who my birth mother was. The judge gave my birth mother visitation rights. Also, I met my little brother, Austin, who is now twelve; my two big brothers, Brandon and Marquette (Brandon is now in jail, and Marquette recently died) as well as my sister Jarvetta. When I first met my birth mother, I was hurt because I wondered how she let herself lose me and not my brothers and sister. Very shortly after we met, my birth mother died in her sleep. No one knows how. When she did, I was still hurt and did not go to the funeral. I did go to see her body. Now, I have forgiven her. I am more happy and love her more and even care about her. Sometimes I feel like a piece of my heart has been ripped way, but I know that one day we will meet again and share laughter and tears. Each day, I wish she was here. I do not hold her past against her, because I know she loved me. Donna Lynn Lewis will forever be missed. (Ashley Williams, 11th grade)

Note: Above image is not of the author's birth mother. Photo credit belongs to Guardian UK.com and was featured in a story on adoption.

Grandma is My Heart

My grandma on my mama's side is important to me. She is just so special, loveable, happy and kind. I can go to her for anything or if I want to talk about something. She is the reason why I get up and go to school and behave myself. If it weren't for her or my mama, I wouldn't be in school.

My grandma is sixty-six, and she still looks good. Everybody thinks she is my mama and that my mama is my auntie. I think this is funny.

I also admire my grandma because she is smart, rich and has a lot of money. She is a health administrator. I want to follow in her footsteps working in the health field.

My grandma is very important to me-- one-- simply because she is grandma and I love her. Two, she is always there for me whether I'm wrong or right. She plays an important role in my life, and I don't know what I would do if something happened to her. My grandma and mama are the reason why I do everything. My grandma is my heart.

(Antoinette Sanders, 11th grade)

Grandma's Hands

Here is another example of a narrative poem set to music.

A Poem for My Grandmother

I remember the mother, the mother of my mother, the one who took care of her and her brother, late night cries, lonely eyes, You baking biscuits. Oh, how I miss it. We had so many good times from '94 to '09. I can't believe that you had to die. Every morning waking up knowing you were there. We should never have taken each other for granted. Instead, we should have cherished the seeds that we planted. We should have cried a lot less and laughed a little more. Take very opportunity, not closing one door. I hate so many words were left unsaid and so many chapters of our Book of Life unread. (M. Cannon, 11th Grade) Image: "In Grandma's Hands" Keith Mallett

Barbados Dreams

My mother's family is from Barbados. Although I have not yet been there, my mother has told me stories about the place. My mom has a picture of herself in Barbados. It's a nice place, I've heard. My family talks about the blue water and drinks they have there, things like cocount water and mango juice. One of my friends is from Barbados, and he has told me a lot about it. This summer I plan to go and want to take two friends.

What do I imagine Barbados to be like? I think it has nice people and that it's a place where people party all night, relax on the beautiful beaches and sleep in nice beds that would make a person never want to come back to Atlanta.

People who see my afro and my smooth, dark skin ask me what I'm mixed with. At first, I didn't know what to say, but eventually my mom told me about my ancestry. I was happy. When I have kids I want them to be from Barbados. I can't wait to go.

(Braxton Mitchell, 12th Grade)

I Remember St. Thomas

What kind of place do you know that has beautiful nature? Do you know a place that has beaches that are beautiful, and a place with ocean water that looks clear as fresh water? I call this place St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

What I love about this place is that its very tropical. You can grow any kind of fruit and vegetable you love. My favorite is mango. It is so juicy and runs off the tree. One thing I love is going running in the sea. The water is so clear that you can see about twenty to thirty feet below or even more.

I remember the food I used to eat there. I had fried fish, Johnny cake, sweet potato stuffing and more seafood. Sometimes I wish I could get the same kinds of foods up here that I did down there.

St. Thomas is one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. Jamaica isn't the only one.

(Jermaine Martin, 11th Grade)

They Reminisce Over You

Though many may be too young to have enjoyed listening to Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth's They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) it is a classic tune connected to the theme of our blog.

Inspiration

This blog was inspired by the sudden death of the former director of our program, Dr. Shirley Arnold, a kind and compassionate woman dedicated to opening the doors of higher education to young people. Her passing inspired me to create a unit for students devoted to the exploration of legacies, lasting impressions and the different ways that people pay homage.

Over the winter and up to now, we have read about, discussed and written about a number of religious and secular practices—from Dia de los Muertos, the construction of altars (ofrendas) as well as the building of monuments such as the Vietnam War Memorial and the footprints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and more. We have also explored the ways that experiences of the past create much of the structure of the lives we are living today.

I'd planned for the discussions to culminate in the building of an altar near Dr. Arnold’s former office; in lieu of that we have constructed this blog. Although the altar did not come to fruition, the main idea here (probably the most important one) is that new life springs from those things that have passed on.

(Jené Watson)