you can breathe!

He squeezed out the words - I CAN'T BREATHE. Each time George Floyd did, we felt his pain, his fear. When it seemed he realized his life was ending, perhaps there in the clouds, he caught a glimpse of deceased mother and he called for her. As an African American mother of one child - a son - my heart was crushed. In the moment, I not only saw Mr. Floyd, I saw my son. 
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In subsequent days the country would erupt in protests, riots and mayhem in different cities. Communities normally silent, like the Amish, stood in protest. London, parts of Africa, Paris and others joined the international protests. Yet, heartbreak, grief and anger held us tight. There was a resurgence of pent up emotion and it needed (it needs) a target.

Grief and anger unreleased leads to anxiety, depression, rage, and yes, violence; as well as critical medical issues.

So what can you do?

Write. Write uncontrolled and unbridled. Whatever needs to erupt allow it to erupt through your fingers and on a page or a screen. Then breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Cry. Write some more. Then breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Cry. Let your words pull all of that emotion from your soul. Then sit with your words and know that this reality can change and in its appointed time - God let it soon come - it will!

E. Claudette Freeman, Publisher/Lead Editor

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