Zora's 123rd Birthday!!!!

Zora Neale Hurston

This morning I woke up super excited, because today marks the 123rd birthday of Zora Neale Hurston.

I received a text from my dear friend, Stephanie, at 7:12 this morning, and she wrote: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY Zora Neale Hurston (123rd)!"

My Dear Friend Stephanie

Later, I received a text from another dear friend, Rhonda, and she sent me her favorite Zora quote which happens to also be my favorite quote by Zora:

"Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me."

I carefully thought about what I should wear on this special today, and I selected one of my Zora shirts:

I stopped by the grocery story to buy a treat for my students and me so that we could celebrate the birth of Zora. Sadly, many students asked "Who is Zora?" However, they asked the right questions, because I pulled out one of favorite books about Zora that also has a CD of Zora singing and talking, and oh, the fun that I had introducing my students to Zora.

As I have been reflecting on Zora today, I hope that we all are living lives that people will celebrate for years and years after we leave this place. I know that when Zora sat down to write Dust Tracks on a Road, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Tell My Horse, Seraph on the Suwanee, Mules and Men, Spunk, she more than likely had no idea the legacy that she would be leaving. Zora answered the call to write, and a whole lot of people and I are soooo happy that she did! Zora's life mattered....

You know that I love where I live, and here is one of the many reasons why:

Tonight at the Dr. Martin Luther King library in DC, there is going to be a birthday celebration for Zora. Yes, we still celebrate Zora's birthday in Washington DC.

My people, join me in celebrating Zora by trying to live lives that matter and that will be celebrated for years to come.

Happy Birthday To My Girl, Zora Neale Hurston!!!

By the way, an image of Zora is on the homepage of google today...WOW! That's BIG TIME.

Seize the Day!