I Am Here!

I read a story recently about African Bushmen and how for centuries, when they greet each other, one exclaims, “I see you!” and the other rejoices “I am here!". This touched me deeply because it so clearly portrays what we all crave; to have who we are and where we are be seen. The simple phrase, “I see you” allows us a space to know and rejoice in, “I am here”.

Who are the people in your life who have seen you, who see you now, who allow you the space to proclaim, “I am here”?

I have been blessed deeply in my life with people who have seen me and by simply seeing me, have built a foundation of self-knowing within me. One of these women I have known since I was five. She is the mom of one of my forever friends and therefore a bonus mom of mine. A few days ago, this divine spiritual being having an extraordinary human experience decided to come home from the hospital and into hospice care. As I sat in sun this morning, writing a text to my forever friend about the wisdom, love, and laughter that her mom planted and continues to nurture in us both, the story of the African Bushmen came to mind.

This being seen allowed me to own and occupy my life and it is my intention to pass this concession on, to help others build the foundation of knowing within themselves that the “African Bushmen” in my life have built in me. I invite you to join me. Our world is craving joy and connection now more than ever before. This craving can be satisfied with the simple acts of seeing one another, allowing ourselves to be seen, and rejoicing in the fact that we are here, together. I see you! I am here!

- Tracy Snow