Today marks one year since the death of Toni Morrison. For decades, her beautiful words graced the world and highlighted the multifaceted experiences of African Americans. On the anniversary of her death, it felt right to express my personal feelings about the author and how reading her works affected my life, and inspired me not only as a writer, but as a black woman. 

The first book I ever read by Morrison was given to me by my 11th grade English teacher. It was Beloved. I had heard of Toni Morrison before, so I decided to give it a try. As a former speed reader who never had a problem finishing a book, I was shocked that this relatively short book stumped me. Her words were like a puzzle, one that took time and patience to piece together. It wasn’t until my third attempt that I was fully able to sit back and see the full picture that Morrison had painted. It was a story of love, sacrifice, and secrets, of metaphorical and physical ghosts and how you can’t run from the past. It was beautiful. Next, I read The Bluest Eye and then Sula, which is my absolute favorite, and I found that at the core of all of her works, there is love. Love in so many forms. The love of a mother, which is often not fully understood until she’s gone. The love of a friend, and the pain that comes when that friend betrays you. The love that one can only feel for a lover, and how that love turns to hatred when it’s scorned. All of these powerful experiences told in a way that reads more like poetry than traditional narrative prose.

Her talent was truly a gift. I have read almost all of her other works, and that beauty and love I felt in every page has remained a constant. I find myself going back to certain passages when I want to feel inspired, or just when I want to be reminded that words can be so much more than just words. “Grateful” doesn’t even begin express my feelings towards my English teacher for handing me that paperback copy of Beloved by Toni Morrison. Although she’s gone, I know her voice will continue to awe and inspire young black women for generations to come.  Because of her, I too want to inspire and move people with my words.

Rest In Peace, Miss Morrison.