Writing My Roots

Reflections and plans for the upcoming year.

Photos from Sicily, Sevilla, Marrakech, Charleston and Mexico.

Greetings from the liminal space between the holidays and the New Year. Solstice came recently too – we have returned to the lengthening of days, for which I am grateful. I hope you enjoyed these last weeks, and found some peace and time for yourself.

I want to share a few things as the year comes to a close. In many ways it has been a difficult year – not only in the world with its devastating wars and political turmoil, but also for me personally. I experienced unbelievable lows, things that made my heart tighten and threaten to break into a thousand pieces.

I had to retreat in various ways. I tended to health and family as best I could. My social calendar and social media channels were mostly quiet. I was fortunate to spend a restorative 35 days alone in Zihuatanejo, Mexico in February. I went back in July with a dear friend, and we did a healing ritual in the ocean.

Nurturing creativity was the theme for me this year. In January I started a daily journaling practice, after joining Suleika Jaouad’s inspiring Isolation Journals community. I took a creative writing class and audio storytelling workshops in the spring and summer. I created my first audio story in the fall. I drafted a collection of poems that I’ve written over the years (and submitted it to a few contests).

As the year waned, I started writing down a story that is asking to be told – about finding my biological family and uncovering buried parts of myself. I don’t know how long it will take, or what the final form will be (podcast, memoir, essay collection, poetry). But I hope it will eventually make its way into the world and help others.

Part of this creative momentum came from attending two writing retreats. The first one was in October, held by Lori Tharps of Read Write and Create in the countryside outside Sevilla, Spain. It was specifically for women of color writers, and I am now part of an incredible sisterhood. We support each other in keeping our creative fires lit.

That experience led to an unexpected invitation in November to attend a writing retreat in Marrakech, hosted by Silk Road Slippers. It came at a time when I needed it most. It was a magical experience. I met wonderful people at both retreats, including highly accomplished writers who taught us so much. I made new friends and important connections.

I also traveled my roots. My trip to Morocco last month marks the first time I set foot on African soil. I also went to Sicily in May, which was a revelation. I shared about that experience in my audio story Sicilian Anniversary, and in a conversation with Lisa Marie Conine about traveling our Sicilian roots. You can also check out my photographer husband’s stunning trip photos. I plan on sharing more about the ancestral town that my Italian great-grandparents are from (Piana degli Albanesi) soon.

I stopped in Dublin for a few days on my way to Spain, and enjoyed wandering the neighborhoods and going to music shows. I spent an afternoon touring Glasnevin cemetery and looking for the graves of my Irish third great-grandparents.

And earlier this month I went back to Charleston with my genealogy buddy, Kelly McCoy. We visited the new International African American Museum, went on a Black history tour, visited the McLeod Plantation, and attended a genealogy lecture. Many of my enslaved ancestors came from South Carolina, which is not surprising since an estimated 40% of all enslaved Africans entered this country through Gadsden’s Wharf (where the museum now sits). I’ll be returning to Charleston to do more research.

Next on my DNA travel list is a return to Sicily in March. I’ll spend a month in Palermo studying Italian, writing, and recording audio. I’m also planning genealogy trips to Arkansas and Northern Ireland, and hope to visit friends in Senegal. Fingers crossed.

On a side note: I recently appeared as a guest on a new podcast called Traveling On Purpose. I truly enjoyed my conversation with host DJ Jack. Sharing below.

I’ll wrap up with some of the lessons I’ve learned this year. They were hard earned, and I plan on keeping them close.

• Take in all the joy and abundance you can on a daily basis. You never know when something difficult is around the corner.

• Self care comes first. It makes a huge difference for your capacity to weather the storm, which in turn helps your loved ones.

• Difficult and draining relationships are not worth the energy. It is important to set boundaries when you need to.

• Angels are everywhere. Even when things seem to be at rock bottom, love and support are available if you ask for help.

• Magic happens. Especially when things are hard.

• Fill your creative cup, especially during life’s interruptions and losses. Creativity is a lifeline that will keep you afloat.

I’d love to hear what this year has offered you. Feel free to hit reply or leave a comment below.

And as always, thank you for letting me share my journey with you. I hope that it inspires you to dig deeper into your own roots, and find room in your life for storytelling, creativity and self care.

Wishing you love and light in 2024.

Lisette