Page 11 of When Love Takes Root

After my shower, I hummed “Walk By Faith” by Tye Tribbett and PJ Morton while I dressed.

“God, keep giving me strength to push on. Let me be the woman You called and the mother my children need.”

The kitchen was already in full revolt.

“Mommy, can you please keep them out of my room! Skye has my diorama for the Harlem Renaissance nearly ruined!” Maya exclaimed.

“I don’t have diarrhea!” Skye yelled back.

I covered my mouth to keep from laughing.

“My-My, I will help you fix your diorama, okay? I’ll even call your teacher if I need to. Skye, we’ve had this conversation before. We don’t touch other people’s things. Boundaries and personal space, remember?”

Her little shoulders dropped. “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Maya. It was just so pretty, and I just wanted to see it. I think her is so cool and artsy! I want to be like her.”

Maya exhaled softly. “She! Ugh! Lil rugrat! I appreciate that, but this is for a grade. I’ll have to redo a part of it. But . . . we can build one together this weekend, okay?”

Skye gasped. “Cool beans! Let’s gooo!”

She launched herself at Maya, who rolled her eyes before hugging her back.

I mouthed a silent thank you.

A few minutes later, I stood over the stove, flipping pancakes while bacon crackled beside me.

Kayden wandered into the kitchen with a basketball tucked beneath one arm. “Morning, Mama!” He kissed my cheek before mushing his sisters’ heads together.

“Morning and be nice.”

He grinned.

Zuri skipped in, singing something she’d clearly learned in dance class, while the kitchen settled into its usual morning chaos. Cereal bowls clinked, laughter bounced off the cabinets, and somebody was always looking for something they’d misplaced.

“Kayden.” I tapped his arm. “We’re not leaving this house without starting our day right.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

We faced each other with our palms raised, a ritual born after Big J left us.

“Together.”

“I am Black, bold, and beautiful—divinely made and dutiful.

Covered in grace, walking in light—God made me powerful, walking right.”

Kayden smiled.

“You know, Ma, that kinda goes hard.”

“It’s supposed to. Speak power before the world tries to take it from you.”

The girls stopped arguing over the last toaster strudel and were watching us instead.

“Alright, princesses. Y’all ready for y’all’s?”

Maya stood first, followed by Zuri and Skye.

“I am Black, bold, and beautiful—rooted, royal, and usable.