PUBLISHER'S NOTE
What I Am Thankful For
W
ell, Gazelle readers, I have a huge
announcement: I am now the mother of an
adult child (I say this as I inhale and exhale
deeply). That is certainly a loaded statement.
My daughter turned 18 in August, so this fall is
certainly a season of change in my household.
You see, I became a mother at the young age of 23. Though I was
broke, in college, working two jobs and learning to be a wife, I still found
time to enjoy that little bright-eyed, good-natured, smiling girl whom
we named Nalah. In my African culture, Nala means “successful” and
“gift.” Many know Nala as the wife of Simba in “The Lion King.” I added
the “h” because my name, Cillah, has an “h” at the end. I just liked that.
I know I am emotional about this. It’s just that time went by so fast!
My hope is that I bestowed on her enough of the tools she needs to
survive in this big, crazy world we call life.
It’s a new season for me. I now must learn how to parent an adult
child, and I have no clue how to do that. All I know is that letting go of
the reins is hard to do. I want to control everything. I want to control
the outcome, and I want to tell her that if she just listens to my advice,
life will be so much easier for her. But … she is my daughter. She is
spirited, stubborn, smart and determined to live her life on her terms.
Those who know me well say, “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.” I
suppose I am the tree in this instance. This tree came to America at age
19, alone. If my mother trusted that she had given me what I needed to
cross the ocean and build a life in the land of opportunities, then how
can I not trust my daughter to do what she wants to do?
The fact of the matter is that we cannot direct what happens next. The
future is not in our control. As we go into the fall season, take a moment
to think about the things that you are holding on to tightly; the people you
are holding on to. Do you really have to hold on so tight? Is it getting in the
way of you enjoying them to the fullest? What if you just relax and let go?
What would happen? I suppose I am going to give it a try: Relax, let go,
and see what happens. After all, it is a new season - a season to give thanks.
I am thankful to be the mother of Nalah and my son, D.J.
Cillah Hall
Founder and Publisher
[email protected]
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GAZELLE
Nalah and Cillah Hall at a brunch for Safe
Connections, an organization that raises awareness
of sexual and domestic violence through various
events like the Lotus Ball on Nov. 9.