#BlackGirlHealing: After The Sudden Death Of Her Daughter, This Mother Helps Other Women Find Healing In Mother Nature

…reminding me of her purpose, she awakened my consciousness to the realization that we never had a chance, nor did we ever celebrate her birthday. It was that day, 11/11/16, what would have been the 25th birthday of our angel, that I personally celebrated her birthday. I had two bracelets made in her honor with symbolic references to the number three, 11/11/91 on it and 444. I wear one bracelet every day and the other for special occasions. It was that day I decided to celebrate her Earth day every year.

Mother Nature’s Healing

I’ve always been intrigued with water — lakes, oceans, rivers, streams. Richie, my husband, began taking me to the falls of Georgia in 2011. It is in the woods with the sounds of nature and the unmistakable calm of the waterfalls that I found my connection, a natural place of healing, the perfect place of peace. I shared my love of waterfalls with the ladies on my GirlTrek team. They encouraged me to host a trek to the waterfalls.

I launched a series of waterfall chases that have so far led us to Vickery Creek Falls in Roswell, Georgia and Amicalola Falls in Dawson, Georgia. The Amicalola Falls chase turned into moments of astounding black girl healing. We had one sista send the ashes of her father down the falls, while another sent the ashes of her aunt down the high falls, both into eternal travels.

The ladies spoke of their loved ones, and allowed us in on their healing. It was so beautiful. We prayed and cried together, and then later, laughed and shared a meal together. That waterfall chase forced each of us to tap into self, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It proved to be both challenging and rewarding, and I believe continues to heal today. Today, at age 47, it is amazes me how much I continue to learn, and how much more learning awaits me.

My daughter would have turned 26 on 11/11/17.

I am honored and blessed for the GirlTrek movement and for the life changing experiences I’ve earned. I’m mostly grateful for the amazing sista Circle that’s become new extensions of my family. One step at a time, one sista at a time, black girl healing the GirlTrek way.

WATCH: “Walking As a Revolutionary Act of Self-Care”

BlackDoctor.org is excited for this content partnership with GirlTrek to feature #BlackGirlHealing, an initiative created to document the narratives, struggles and successes of Black women on the journey to living their healthiest, most fulfilled lives through the habit of daily walking. This initiative will further the mission of decreasing health disparities and stigma among women and girls, and further the conversation that self care is a revolutionary act of love. Join the movement at www.girltrek.org.