The world lost a gem, a treasure, a queen, who lent her gifts to all through her art. Cicely Tyson lived to the fruitful age of 96 and spent it all living. She passed away yesterday and from all the tributes I keep reading about her, she was indeed a gem. She loved having long talks with those she loved. She treated them all as if they were her own and to all of them they too felt like she was theirs.

One of the best videos I saw about her was one where she was talking to you, a queen. I watched the video stunned. I was captivated by her words that I had to same them back to myself as if she was talking directly to me. If your watch the video you will understand what I mean. She reminded the queen in me about how I constantly raise the bar, doing it flawlessly. She told me to keep being true to myself. It’s the one thing that remains. That and knowing my roots. She told me how important it is to always remember where I come from. But in the end and if I fall, I should fall with grace. The best part of the video, the one that I intend to keep firmly in my heart, is the portion where she shared the following; ‘there is a sweet justice is knowing that the path that you are on was designed just for you and only you.’ It was the reminder that I needed, the blessed assurance of a life well-lived on your terms. Keep living like Cicely, keep it and no matter what, know that with life you are on your own path, designed exclusively for you. Heaven has truly gained one fine treasure with her passing. But for us still here, all I can say is keep living and like Cicely. See the video below and treasure it too.