I have faced my fears
I am the first to obtain a college degree in my family
I have worked through trauma
I have changed so much in the past year
but I don't feel proud of myself
I still feel like the person I was a year ago

Something is missing
something doesn't feel right
the room feels a little more empty
there's a face that is missing
your laughter no longer fills the room
losing you has left an empty space
that will never be filled

Wearing of masks is not new after all
What is somewhat new is the wearing
of masks made from fabrics
People have always worn masks made of
smiles or vocal masks like "I'm fine", "I'm okay"

I look forward to the days when all
forms of masks will be dropped
When we can bare our souls even
when we don't feel whole and
we wouldn't be judged but met with
kindness and empathy.

If life was meant to be viewed only in
black and white
God wouldn't have created all the colorful
things He made
God clearly loves diversity and that's why
He's made each of us (humans) unique in
our own way (pleasing to Him I believe).

I wonder why we still find it hard to accept
each other as God's Masterpieces
We were made with so much love deposited
in our hearts
Yet, we are allowing hatred to rule our world!

I look forward to the day when we will all see
the beauty in our differences and embrace
each other as ONE (as it was designed to be).