When I met Maya Angelou in Barnes and Noble on 86th street in NYC in 1996, she was standing in front of me on line. My son was 18 months old and holding a little board book that he loved entitled Corduroy’s Birthday. It was the first book he selected for himself. At that time, Sesame Street was our number one favorite program. As I stood there, trying to come up with something profound to say to this amazing Poet, Teacher and Inspiring Writer, all I could think of was the Name Song she sang on Sesame Street. There was one line that stuck in my head and played over and over until I mustered the courage to say something to her. If you know me, you know I sang the verse! “my name is Maya and I like it just fine” to which she smiled and said “it is a very catchy song you know.” I did know!

I had just finished reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings about a year prior so I could have mentioned that. I could have said something I heard her say on the Oprah Show changed my life. Instead, this was the first thing that popped into my mind. I told her that and she said, “I am glad to leave an impression on the young and hope by hearing that song they are happy with themselves. Everyone should be proud of their name, who they are and where they come from.” I stood there in awe. I was glad this is what I chose to say.

My blog is a cooking blog. It is also my journey in life as a Brooklyn girl to a Florida girl back to NY and landing in Ohio. It is a blog that I hope when you read it, makes you want to come back and hear what I have to say. Along the way I will share things I love, and don’t love whether it is cooking related or not. I will also share things that have changed my life in hope that it will touch you in some way. Today I share with you someone whose words impacted my life.

“I am a Woman Phenomenally.  Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.”

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

“My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.”

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.”

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

“You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.”

“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”

“When people show you who they are believe them – the first time.”

~ Maya Angelou

I am posting this to honor the life of Maya Angelou, may you rest in peace.