By Renée Dugué-Strother*
Giver of light
Sən Rise
Giver of life
Sən Rise
The source we need
Sən Rise
To feed our seed
Sən Rise
Illuminator of the soul
Sən Rise
Without you here the world is cold
Sən Rise
To the world magnificent
Sən Rise
To the world, you are a gift
Sən Rise
All life needs you
Sən Rise
You are the truth
Sən Rise
Without you Sən this world would not be
There would be nothing to see
Everyday open your eyes
Everyday Sən rise
Twenty-two orbits ago today
You sent you to shine the way
The light, the match, you were the spark
The flame, the fire, light in the dark
Sən rise, Sən shine, Sən dance, Sən sing
Sən lead, Sən follow, Sən take, Sən bring
Sən laugh, Sən cry, Sən love, Sən feel
Sən beam, Sən grown, Sən burn, Sən heal
Twenty-two times you’ve circled you
On your journey for the truth
Stay the course and you will see
You possess the light you seek
~Renée Dugué-Strother
Author: Mrs. Renée Dugué-Strother is a Healer, Artist, Writer, Humanitarian, Co-Founder, and Executive Director of Reborn And Rising, a nonprofit based in Houston, TX, USA.
She shared with PAV that her son inspired this piece, and it was included in a letter written to him while in Buea, Cameroon on her organization’s first mission trip. She revealed that her son, also named René, is currently incarcerated in Houston, Texas, USA and that her departure date from Africa was strategically chosen to at least be in the same city as she and her family wished him a Happy Birthday on February 6, and celebrated Our Creator’s grace and mercy in allowing him to see another year, even if behind bars.
Mrs. Renée reminded PAV of the mission and vision of Reborn And Rising, born out of the pain experienced when her son’s father was murdered. He was only ten years old, and they have struggled desperately to move forward without his Dad. While there were organizations that offered grief counseling throughout the grieving period, there were none that had any programs in place to address the combination of issues Lil René faced, with regard to the loss of a parent due to homicide, specifically providing the unique psychological needs of a “Black” boy in America growing up without his father and extended programs in place to ensure developed and sustained healing. Reborn And Rising acknowledges all of these as absolutely critical to treat the acute trauma experienced and to foster a sustained recovery. This one of a kind nonprofit offers a holistic approach to healing and recovery through mentorship by people who look like the youth we support and will work with them to establish a meaningful connection and share how they survived what these children are struggling to grasp, let alone having to overcome. Crucial to Reborn And Rising’s program is providing psychological treatment by professionals experienced in African psychology methodology as developed by Dr. Wade Nobles and support by a “Village” who embrace traditional African wisdom traditions.
“We know too well that nothing can erase the pain of losing a parent this way or any other. Our desire is to empower youth to find strength in their shared experiences and rise above the pain to choose life.”
~Renée Dugué-Strother
