Greystones

(Post from 2013) Today we drove past the old U.S Embassy in Liberia. As we took a turn, I couldn't help but notice a building with the sign GreyStone on it. If you went to Google Greystone in Liberia, the first photo that came up was this. Let me tell you something -This photo just like my memory brings back some parts of my childhood that were almost erase by bullets...

Greystones was one of those places people ran for shelter during the Liberian Civil war. I was almost 8 years old during the 96' crises. I remembered the sounds of bullets, my family packing, my older sister having to dress "dress down" so she was not sexually appealing to the rebels- Whatever that look like. 

It seem just like yesterday when people were moving in opposite directions with mattresses on their heads. It was always an interesting sight to see. People never knew where they were fleeing to, but they always brought their mattresses. I guess knowing where you are sleeping was not as important as having something to sleep on.

My family and I were some of the few blessed to survive the civil wars and migrate to the Great United States for a chance of a better life. At 25 years old with a Masters degree, running my own not-for-profit organization and actively advocating for little changes in our big world, I was grateful for migration. Even in my gratitude, driving by that day, I couldn't help, but think about those horrific things I saw waiting outside the gates of Greystones. It could have been me or a member of my family that I saw during the war laying on the side of the road lifeless. I saw a child bleeding in the arms of a crying mother as my mother held me closer while we awaited our chance to get into the shelters at Greystones. To this day, I still remember my very first sight of a dead body. I saw the body laying on his left side with a hole where his right ear used to be. I felt the need to hold my little ears at the time as we escape to safety. 

Life at those moment had a whole different meaning. We try to survive each day only to get to another day of survival. Today, I like to think that life is much more appreciated. I have come to understand and appreciate migration in a way that most might not. I know the power of spaces that open their doors, borders and opportunities to me and my family. I am forever thankful for mothers and their survival instincts that kept us going. I do not take for granted any opportunity afforded to me to make a better life for myself and those around me. Why am I sharing all this? I just wanted someone out there to know it doesn't matter where you come from as long as you can use that as a road map to get you to where you want to be. Thanks for the reminder Greystones. You and other images of Liberia will always be my motivation for bigger and brighter things. Peace & Love.

Zuleka~