Would You Have Compassion?

Today was an emotional day. I had an interview for my magazine (Ujima) with a mother who lost her daughter at 15 years old. She was killed by her boyfriend at their high school. I was very nervous about the interview because of the subject.  I haven't ever done an interview with someone who had lost a loved one; not to mention a daughter. The mother talked about love and forgiveness. I felt her love for her daughter and carrying out the forgiveness for the young man that took her daughters life. So the question that came to my mind is what would I do ? Would I have the love and forgiveness in my heart as she does? I think I would be able to reach out to others and assist them as she does, but I just don't know if I could love someone who hurt me and my family. Someone who took away my love one. But in all of this tragedy, she pointed out two people were lost that day. That statement then changed my mind again. Then I thought to myself she's right. He's hurting too. He lost his family as well as his parents lost him. Some may argue they can still see him, touch him, talk to him. But if you have a heart and compassion as this mother does, I can see where her love and forgiveness comes from. She knew a side of this young man before he committed the tragedy so that may play a part too.  This conversation made me think and wonder about my inner soul and if I would have the compassion and love God wants us all to have. I want to believe I would, but my deepest belief is I wouldn't be so kind. But I learned about love and compassion and caring about other people besides my own feelings. It reminded me it's bigger than me.

What would you do?

February Issue of Ujima Magazine

Today the Ujima team met to review and approve the February issue of the magazine. The process to this day is a lot of interviews, writing, editing, editing again and then the final review. I do have to admit my favorite part is going to the printers and viewing the proof. Everything we have worked on for the whole month is on the table in color. All the photos and words come together into a magazine. It's still amazing how it happens. We usually have a good laugh about something that happened on the way to the final print. It's fun to see the final product. 

In the February issue, you can read about a woman who healed from an abusive relationship through music, the Central Texas African American Family Support conference, hair tips, a turkey recipe, the monthly book list for both children and adults and much more.

Please visit www.ujimamagazine.com for the current issue of Ujima Magazine. Look for the February issue the first week of February. I hope you enjoy it.