My Three BE’s from Witness Tree
I landed in Ghana on Sunday, July 5th, greeted with big smiles, hugs, and a warm “AKWAABA” from my new friends, Kwasi and Denise. Denise then looked at me and said, “Alison, are you okay? You look tired!”
Inside I thought, Tired? I just had a long flight. Yes, I am tired, but I tried to smile, grateful for this opportunity to begin. Two days into my Witness Tree journey, I realized I am not tired, I am exhausted!! I had been carrying the death of my dad, Mr. Banks, PE teacher for 43 years, my mentor, my dad, and my friend. I had just finished, three weeks prior, my teaching career of 33 years, retiring and leaving with bittersweet emotions still to be unpacked, and now embarking on a journey for two weeks, far from home with strangers.
My time with my Sankofa Family in Ghana has revived my heart. As I reflect on this journey, three simple “BE’s” come to mind.
BE Grateful - At the end of each day, I have been practicing journaling gratitudes for occurrences in the day. Warm hugs or a bright smile. Open conversations, sharing personal stories of hopes, dreams, and fears. And daily experiencing the welcoming, gracious, and humble Ghanaian spirit. The list goes on.
BE Still - One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God. Witness Tree has given me spaces to be still, whether sitting in the courtyard at the Highbridge Guest House in Accra and feeling the refreshing breeze of the surrounding palm trees while I listen to the children laugh and play just outside the gate; walking in the forest of Kakum National Park in Cape Coast, hearing the birds, cicadas, and tree frogs along the path; or the Medicinal tour in Ananse Kwae, informing and centering us to the healing power of plants, trees, fruits, and berries, freely provided to us by our Creator.
Miracle berry
BEcause Of - Professor and Reverend Pashington Obeng reminded us ever so gently that we are because of others, our interdependence on one another, and the call to, in turn, be stewards of what we have been given to support and inspire the next generation. The Honorable Professor gave us an experiential opportunity to taste the sweetness of this concept, Because Of, as we tasted a fresh orange slice and then sucked on the fruit of the “miracle berry,” and then tasted the orange once again. In an instant, the flavor of the orange sweetened as the two fruits interacted together in our mouths.
So has my Witness Tree experience sweetened and revived my weary soul.
Alison Graham is a recently retired Physical Education Teacher from the Meadowbrook School in Weston, MA, a blessed wife and mother of two wonderful young Black men.