I honor my ancestors for all they taught me

My grandmother, Rena Mae Harmon and Ossie Lee Clark-Caldwell

Whom gave me courage and resilience, knowledge and wisdom

I needed to survive

They taught me to be me and love myself

To embrace my heritage and my identity

To be proud of who I am and where I come from

To be a black man and an indigenous soul

Grandma Rena, and her famous cooking I miss so much

She filled my stomach and my heart with her delicious dishes

She showed me how to make magic in the kitchen

She taught me how to feed my body and my spirit

Great Grandma Ossie, her kind words and knowledge about who we are as black people

She told me stories and histories of our ancestors

She showed me how to trace our roots and our lineage

She taught me how to honor our culture and our legacy

They believed I would be great and that I have become

They saw my potential and my gifts

They encouraged me and supported me

They loved me and blessed me

They are resting in heavenly peace, but they are still with me

They are watching over me and guiding me

They are cheering for me and celebrating with me

They are my angels and my heroes

I honor my ancestors for all they taught me

My grandmother, Rena Mae Harmon and Ossie Lee Clark-Caldwell

Whom gave me courage and resilience, knowledge and wisdom

I needed to survive

I thank them for their love and their lessons

I cherish them for their memories and their presence

I honor them for their lives and their spirits

I love them for being my ancestors