A Daughter’s Journey
What defines you? Most recognize me as a saxophonist, pianist and Spoken Word Artist. All things that bring me purpose, joy and pleasure. There’s always a bigger story behind the poems, and melodies.
This is mine. Those closest to me know my miracle story and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing me live on stage then you’ve heard that poem, but like I said, I want to dive beyond the word play and give you guys something deeper to possibly relate to me and perhaps we can find healing together. I’m a firm believer in a testimony written or spoken so let’s get into it!
I came into this world fighting for my life with all the odds stacked against me on October 8, 1983 at one pound three in a half ounces with less than a ten percent chance of survival.
A whole living and breathing miracle baby!
Magazine, newspaper covers and all that y'all!
At a time where technology and expertise of the doctors were limited to what we have now for premature babies is massively advanced, my survival rate wasn’t expected.
My parents remember the doctors telling them to make casket arrangements. Look at God, though!
I spent 119 days in the incubator and my left nostril grew around the tube which would lead to a rhinoplasty surgery when I was five and three more at sixteen. The healing process from those surgeries at sixteen was the worst pain I’ve ever endured!
Welcome to my story beyond the poems and stages. I hold this in high honor and is a part of my identity and strength that my family and friends also associate which can be a blessing and curse. To be known for this kind of surviving means most of the time family don’t question your internal struggles like self esteem, depression, suicide ideation because how can someone who wasn’t supposed to make it hate her own existence? Well, stay tuned!
Just like most introverts I found my escape through fictional books like Lord Of The Rings (before the movies were a thing lol) and Harry Potter to name a few.
Writing in my journals also was a freedom like most young girls have. Soon it turned into some dark poetry that I didn’t share with anyone because poetry is personal first. I always knew my life was meant for a bigger purpose. My existence of surviving so many obstacles is proof.
I’m writing this blog in a limited series of my journey not just about how poetry has saved me endlessly, but also the deeper story of my relationship with my dad. Dads are a daughter’s first everything.
Won’t you join me?
