Writing with Juliet Iwelunmor

My name is Isioma meaning knowledge, meaning a head that is good, meaning insight, meaning a child on a journey. I want to be called Nwa Bia Ije. For if this is life, if these are the moments before we die, then whenever I leave, may it be know that I came for a journey, loved and lived that journey to its fullest, with banquets prepared for me in the sight of my foes. I saw as love conquered every thing and connections to the people and places that matter meant life was good, really good. If this is life, then I want to keep living it fully, grateful for every single moment, those of betrayal, those of pain, those of sweet love, those of sunny days. Do not mistake my smile for ease, my eyes for peace. Do not take my struggles for your glory or my success for your gain. I did it my way with those who helped me write chapters of moments long gone and some yet to come. Do not believe my words would inspire you, do not believe they are for you. I keep them for me and those that know why, those who open my fingers, those who take my feet to the dance floor, those who remind me that life is anything with infinite worth and for that, for them we will keep living. Our circles are small for a reason.

I was inspired to write the note above for many reasons including this post that debuted on NPR today. We are three years into Angie’s death and every single thing I do these days has her in mind. My heart is still broken. We will never get to see her smile or hear her voice but we will live and love as she would have wanted. She would have also wanted us to speak of life which has so much to offer than many of us living deserve. She reminds me to keep it, my way, for this period is short, but our journey, however we choose to live it, is ours. For her, I’m grateful. Read the full post here