Legacy Lives...The First Mariah Ida Myers Day!

I just can't say enough about the first Mariah I. Myers day! Without the impeccable planing of Ms. Claudia Myers, Joel Myers Jr., Jessica Tipton and a host of others, I don't know how I would have made it through the day. It was my birthday, and it was the first birthday in the past 10 years that I did not hear Mariah sing to me at 12am, and she will never be able to...That's what hurts the most.

However in the middle of the pain that I experienced by not having her, honoring her life and legacy was one of the greatest things I could have done on this special day. The activities started at 10am-2pm with sessions for the kids that included "Dress for Success", "Arts and Craft/Vision Boards", and "McIntosh Sings." From 4-6pm the Anointed Albany State University Choir held a concert in her honor, and they really blessed the community with their voices!

Photo Above Right: Friends of Mariah Committee :) >L to R Me, Karrah, Sierra, and Korryn

Balloon Release, First M.I.M Day, Nov. 9 2013

(Notice the Butterfly and Angel Wing Effect on the left)

Photo Credit: Marsha Myers-Bue

Ms. Claudia Myers and a few members of the Anointed ASU Choir

Credit: Karrah Palmer

The day was symbolic for various reasons but the main one was because it was around this time last year that Mariah and I would fellowship for the last time. November 10,2012 one day after my birthday we went to church in Atlanta,Ga at True Worship Christian Fellowship. That was the last time we saw each other. November 18, 2012 was the last time I talked to her. It was a Sunday, and we talked about church.

The one thing that sits so well with me is that I knew that she knew Jesus Christ-not because we had no choice as children if we would sing in the youth choir and go to Sunday school or not (both of our mothers were and still are the youth directors at our church)-but because she lived her life in the manner that spread the Love of Christ everywhere she went. 

Our Moms.

That is the true purpose of our lives as Christians. To share the gospel, not only in proclamation, but in action... by doing, giving, and serving.

Mariah and I once had a discussion about what could change one someone for the better. And we came to the conclusion that "Nothing can change your life, but life itself." After we pondered, we thought,"You lose life (death of a close loved one) you can be transformed, if you bring life (through child birth), or you experience life..and decide over time that you want to change."

It's crazy how her passing away has had an effect way beyond what she may have done while she was living and for that reason I know she smiles. Growing up with her I often thought she was the stronger person. When her life was taken, I sat in my car and screamed and cried and said to God "You think I'm stronger than her!!!" (Because I was on earth left to mourn I thought his was the case). It was the opposite. She is still stronger than ever, being the one to live her life and impact those around her even in death. That takes some strength.

Her life changed my life and all who were connected to her. Because of her life, we celebrate.
Here's to becoming stronger, wiser, and giving a little bit more of ourselves to the world than the world expects us to.

Credit: Mariah Myers| Facebook 

Love,
Ka-Ris-Ma