The only photo I could bring to you from Dr. Maya Angelou's service today

[Mira]

It was a joyous occasion with somber moments. It was a private invitation only memorial service in a packed house that seats 2500.
Photographs of any kind were not allowed. Since it was private, the Westboro Baptist Church bowed out of the planned disruption.
Police was everywhere, and so was the secret service.

For me to experience Bill Clinton, our First Lady, Oprah, Cicely Tyson as Speakers - and the music of Lee Ann Womack, the Bobby Jones Gospel Choir, Mr. Bebe Winans and Choir, and Valerie Ashford Simpson playing the piano as she belted a song - can't really be described.

The weather was splendid, the people beautiful and varied, the homage paid marvelously appropriate.
A fitting and huge celebration of the "Homegoing" as it says on the program, of this phenomenal woman.

[H2O Man]

1. Thank you for this.

Recommended.

[Marrah_G]

2. Thank you Mira

[a kennedy]

3. Oh Mira, how great you were able to attend......

Thanks for sharing..... and so happy it was a wonderful celebration.

[kelliekat44]

4. Will it be aired another time for those of us who couldn't stream it? nt

[Justice]

5. Thank you!

[No Vested Interest]

6. I understand a string quartet comprised of members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

were also to perform.
Ms. Angelou graced this orchestra and audience last fall with a symphonic reading.
Wish I had been there.

[LeftishBrit]

7. Thank you!

It sounds like a great memorial to a wonderful person.

[malaise]

8. That must have been some celebration of a great life

[nolabear]

9. Watched and cried like a baby. It was indeed a fine Homegoing.

Mr. Bear is a Winston-Salem native so I've spent a lot of time there, and know some folks who were friends of Dr. Angelou. And since I'm a poet and writer I feel a wonderful kinship. But I was surprised at how deeply touched I was by the mothering she seems to have done for all those people. Such strength and conviction and joy. I'll carry that with me for a long time.

Thank you for the post. Nice to know it was a wonderful as it seemed.

[PCIntern]

10. Watched it on TV....remarkable.

Congratulations upon your invitation...it really is an honor.

[madamesilverspurs]

11. "Homegoing"

How sweetly and appropriately poetic.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

[justiceischeap]

20. I live how African-American's have "homegoing's" and everyone else just has a funeral

I love the way the AA community handles death--from the ending celebration to the demonstrative emotions (and I love me some ladies with fine church hats)--I think the AA community does it right.

[Enthusiast]

12. That is awesome!

[FourScore]

13. Thank you for sharing it with us, Mira.

Beautiful.

[StarryNite]

14. Thank you.

[Hekate]

15. Thank you for sharing this with us

[Solly Mack]

16. K&R

[calimary]

17. That's okay, Mira. It's enough. Beautiful image, beautiful message, beautiful woman!

Still, she rises. Thanks for being there - and being our correspondent, reporting back to us about it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. I am so very happy that you could be there

for such a touching and momentous occasion.
You were on my mind....

[Cha]

19. Wow, how wonderful for you and all who were there, Mira~Mahalo~

¸.•´ ♥ ☆And Still.... ♥ `•.¸.•´ ♥ º ☆.¸¸.•´¯`♥ They RISE!!!!


TOD

For Maya Angelou~

[sheshe2]

21. Thank you Mira.

"Homecoming" beautiful.

[Uncle Joe]

22. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Mira.

[all american girl]

23. I just watch all of the ceremony

I cried, I laughed....this woman talked to the girl who was born and raised in Iowa....we didn't come from the same place but I have always wanted to be her....Yeah, I still have tears...love this most beautiful woman

[mopinko]

24. i dont believe in god. what i want in the end of the life

is a send off full of joy.

she was an amazing woman, which is some high praise.

[Liberal_in_LA]

25. huge k&r

[Iwillnevergiveup]

26. How lucky for us

that you attended this homegoing, Mira, and brought us a splendid image of a woman who lived a great life by doing so much for so many.

Maya

[Tarheel_Dem]

27. A phenomenal woman indeed. Thank you.