First Note......

It is May 2, 2007, and I am writing my first entry in my brand new blog, "Notes of a Native Daughter." This is the online diary of a 45 year old African American woman from Cairo, Illinois who survived Civil Rights, Celibacy, Living in Detroit, multiple family deaths and health crises within a 4 year span, early menopause, and major career angst to arrive at the most peaceful, self-aware place of her entire existence.

There's so much I need to tell you about who I am, and why I'm writing this blog. That'll come in time. But I wanted to explain why the very first picture I've posted is one of me near the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy.

It was taken in October 2006, about a month after I seized my freedom from hair extensions, relaxers and other punishing treatments for my straight outta Africa grade hair, and went totally natural. I was also celebrating turning 45 years old with my best friend, Faith Triggs, by taking my first trip to Italy. And it was the first time, after 4 years of stress, anxiety, grief, insecurity and existential drift, that I was finally able to smile and feel like myself.

That may have been the moment that the Universe realigned itself and said, "It's time to throw Rachella a bone." It's been a steadily building progression, but on May 3, 2007, I can truly say that I feel stronger, wiser, and more free to be myself than I have ever felt in my entire life.

It's the perfect time to start this blog, because in about a month, I will be uprooting my life and moving to Uganda. More on that later. But for now, I'm just gonna take the time to admire a photo of myself that actually makes me happy. A photo of myself that actually makes me feel just a teeny bit beautiful. A memory of a journey of a lifetime, one of many in my past, and one that launched my exciting future. The future I've created for myself.