Z is for Zed

Z--the end. Z--the final letter.  Z--the end of this particular journey.

I can't believe we are here at the end of the challenge!!  It's been inspiring for me to not only write so personally and have others read and respond, but to read other people's funny, courageous, heartfelt, and personal narratives as well.

Through this I have learned that Dr. Maya Angelou's quote is so very true: "We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike."  I think that's such a beautiful thing to learn and remember. We may have different views, tremendously varied backgrounds, and differing ideologies, but we also all share the human of experience of love, hope, despair, anger, laughter, friendship. The list could go on and on, but it makes me smile to think about. I revel in that feeling of connection and camaraderie.

I have stumbled a bit in the challenge--not always posting on time, perhaps not writing as eloquently or as profoundly as I had hoped--but I have kept on. I have been gentle with myself. I haven't thought I wasn't good enough or that I wasn't worthy to be amongst my fellow A to Z'ers.  That in itself has been important for me.  It's been the little triumphs throughout this month that have given me a sense of confidence. The feedback from all of you has been wonderful as well.  I appreciate each and every one of you who has taken the time to read my posts and comment.

This has been fun and I am sad to see it end.  However, I am already looking forward to next year!



Human Family - by Maya Angelou
I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.

Some declare their lives are lived
as true profundity,
and others claim they really live
the real reality.

The variety of our skin tones
can confuse, bemuse, delight,
brown and pink and beige and purple,
tan and blue and white.

I've sailed upon the seven seas
and stopped in every land,
I've seen the wonders of the world
not yet one common man.

I know ten thousand women
called Jane and Mary Jane,
but I've not seen any two
who really were the same.

Mirror twins are different
although their features jibe,
and lovers think quite different thoughts
while lying side by side.

We love and lose in China,
we weep on England's moors,
and laugh and moan in Guinea,
and thrive on Spanish shores.

We seek success in Finland,
are born and die in Maine.
In minor ways we differ,
in major we're the same.

I note the obvious differences
between each sort and type,
but we are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.