Reading Glory Edim's Gather Me reminds me of Langston Hughes' unforgettable poem Mother To Son in which the mom tells her beloved child that her life hasn't been "no crystal stair". It's been full of obstacles. Sometimes she's even had to feel her way through the dark "Where there ain't been no light."
I guess because for Edim much of her life has been anything but a crystal stair. She was born to a couple of immigrants from Nigeria who were totally incompatible: her easygoing father and rigid demanding mother. After years of fighting they divorced. Edim and her younger brother spent weekends with their father until they and their mother found the door locked and their possessions strewn on the lawn. Sure that he'd rejected her, she didn't know he'd tried to communicate until years later she discovered the stash of his letters her mother had not let her see.
She was to lose her mother, although not physically, when she was in college. Her mom sunk into a deep depression that lasted for years, unable to speak or remember to eat, spending most of the time in bed. So in addition to classes and work she had to provide nursing care to an invalid and keep her teenage brothers (the second the result of another doomed marriage) out of trouble, which involves getting one out of jail and exonerated when he trusts the wrong peers.
And through all these and other tribulations she had nobody to turn to for help because of the mandate to maintain her family's image, hiding any imperfections.
What she did have for advice and encouragement were books written by wise and well respected Black authors: Zora Neale Hurston, Maya Angelou, Alice Walker and so many others. Gather Me is an intimate discussion of the trials and issues she encountered and the reading materials that helped her transcend them. It is a thought and feeling provoking read--a literary journey well worth taking.
Because, like the mother in Hughes' poem, in the face of incredible obstacles, Edim kept climbing.
On a purrrsonal note, I am truly living my best life these days. Lots of events to participate in and photograph! Monday started off with a yummy 😋 pancake breakfast. Then I bussed downtown to the library where they were partying it up because the fund raising for the library extension is going public. Then back on campus where the weather was gorgeous 😍 we had an outside denim decorating event. I had a jacket I'd had Eugene buy me for the occasion. I now have 3 decorated denim jackets. Tuesday started off with a bouquet 💐 making event. Of course I made a lovely bouquet. Then there was the Black Bears Can Do It fair. SWell organized it. They had organizations tabling with fun activities and free stuff. I got 4 skeins of yarn and 2 pairs of knitting needles. I had fun talking to lots of people. And then, like the cherry topping an ice cream 🍦 sundae, there was the end of the school year Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund potluck. It was wonderful. We're really close--like family of choice. I had sugar free ice cream--a dream come true. The food took into account people's dietary restrictions into account. And we played a funny type of charades.
Well I've been to a brunch today. Now I'm on the local bus 🚌 to Orono Thrift Shop. I haven't been there in ages. I'll let you know if I find any treasures.
Jules Hathaway
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