A poet's story: There are many reasons to admire life Maya Angelou led

Most people know Maya Angelou for her poetry and her wisdom -- and that is enough of a legacy for anyone to leave behind.

But what many people do not know -- or might have forgotten -- is that Dr. Angelou did not have an easy road to the peace and balance she is known for today.

A child of separated parents at a time when that was an extremely rare course for a marriage, Maya Angelou spent years with her grandmother before being returned to her mother.

It was there that she became a victim of sexual abuse and rape -- at the age of 8. Her attacker would later be murdered -- likely because of that crime.

In response to the horror of those days, young Maya decided she would not speak -- and remained mute for nearly five years. She would later return to live with her grandmother, where she met a teacher who encouraged her to speak again -- and who introduced her to the world of literature and the arts.

It was only later, after exploring careers of all kinds, spending time as an actress and a singer, that Dr. Angelou found her true voice and became a source of inspiration for so many people of all faiths, ethnic backgrounds and circumstances.

But it is in the story of her early life and her personal journey that some of her most important lessons can be found -- the power to persevere, to rise above the challenges you might face and to have faith and hope.

And if you read her poetry and her writings, you will see that she spent her life teaching others how to appreciate the wonders of theirs.

She spoke always with the soul of someone who understood that there was a bigger picture, a higher power, a reason to believe.

And for many, many of the people who read her work and who listened to her speak, her words reminded them that there was a reason to believe in themselves as well and to set a course for their own lives of meaning and purpose.

Dr. Angelou's message was a profound one. It challenged readers and listeners to look beyond themselves to a better world and an inner peace that could be shared by all.

But she is an inspiration also because of what she overcame -- and the message that the same sort of achievement can be had by anyone who has the courage, the faith and the determination to do so.

She is an example of what can happen when a caged bird actually realizes the freedom that lies in determining his or her own destiny -- no matter what circumstances might create obstacles along the way.

And that is a lesson that lasts a lifetime -- and the legacy of an cultural icon.

Published in Editorials on May 29, 2014 11:38 AM