To: Little Me

Sweet sweet girl, I wish I could go back and hold that sweet little face. I’d tilt your chin upward, and tell you of your worth, her beauty, and your belovedness. I’d tell you that you are uniquely fashioned, that every millimeter of you - mind, body, and soul was handpicked by the Maker of…

To: Dad

It shouldn't hurt this bad. You were never there to begin with. I don't know you. I have no recollection of you. It shouldn't hurt this bad that you left Dad, because it did. It does Dad. Seventeen years without a Dad and you'd think I'd have it down by now. It doesn't get easier.…

For the Love of Marathons

"What are you worried about?" My youth pastor asked me this question today and instead of saying I don't know, the truth, I said absolutely nothing, kind of shrugged, and looked away inadvertently (obviously), avoiding the question. What I really wanted to say is that I'm worried about myself. I'm worried that I'll believe the…

To: The Never Ending Race

I. Am. Wrecked. My heart is beginning to shatter. My back is about to break. My body is bruised and I am ever so weary. Last week, I had a friend text me and say, "Embo, ya know, sometimes you're so quiet that I forget you're suffering." I read this sentence repeatedly and my heart…

To: The Crucible

I remember the three of us, cocooned in our blankets laying on a pallet, binge watching Smallville and One Tree Hill, incessantly laughing together, a melody to my ears. I remember my mom singing and dancing around the house, praising Jesus without a care in the world. I remember the Thanksgiving when all four Tshimanga…

To: My Future Children

As I'm writing this, I can't help but imagine how perfect (and tall) you all will be. I don't know if there will be one of you, three of you, or God forbid six of you but I do know is that I will do everything in my power to be the best mother I…