Pursuing Dreams: A Journey Between Two Continents

Dreamers and those alike! Welcome, welcome, welcome! Come on in, take a seat, and get comfortable. I want to tell you a story. A story about a dreamer. There has been many goals that I set for myself, some I've achieved, and some I let die. Not because I no longer wanted to pursue them, but because I was not motivated or supported in a way that convinced me that my goals were worth pursuing. My headspace is different now and I'm vibrating higher. Never give up on a dream because it gets tough. Good things take time. This season will be different and I'll be just fine. YOU will be just fine! Say it with me: This life that I've dreamt for myself is a life that I deserve and my dreams are worth pursuing. I owe it to my children, and their children, and their children's children. See where I'm going? There is a quote that I love and I'm not sure of the author, but it goes, "Do something today, that your children will thank you for tomorrow" I may be paraphrasing, I may not be, but that's a phrase worth remembering.

2012 was a catalyst for me. A sort of awakening if you will. It was the worst year of my life. I was in a dark place for a while. I threw my head into books to escape the reality that was my life. I taught myself how to sew and started making jewelry. I was proud of myself. My light was coming back. At some point, I decided I wanted to go to Africa, and so I did. In 2016, I packed up me and my daughter and we were on our way to Senegal, West Africa. Just us, me a single mother and my only child. That first experience was mind blowing. I remember landing in Dakar and seeing the tallest statue in Africa. The African renaissance monument. I can't describe the feeling that came over me in that moment, but it is one that I'll never forget.

After we left, I didn't want to visit Africa again. Oh no, I wanted to LIVE in Africa! A slow life, a healthy life, a safe life, in a place where the sun is shining and its always warm. Lower cost of living, living near multiple beaches (benefits of being on the coast) look the list is long and I could go on and on but I just knew I wanted to go back. My mother was calling me home.

After visiting Senegal and Gambia in 2016, and deciding to go back, I did it again. In 2017 I packed up me and my daughter and we headed back to Senegal. This time for a year! Nothing but good vibes and total bliss. And the truth is, every time that I have to go, I absolutely hate leaving, if I'm being honest.

2017 was it. That was supposed to be my repatriation (expatriation) year. Unfortunately, due to a family issue back home, we packed up and left Senegal after a year. After leaving and realizing I had nothing of my own in the land I called home, I came back in 2019 and purchased land. Now we have something of our own I thought. I’ve set the foundation for so many possibilities. I was on my way…

We returned to the motherland in 2021, then again in 2022 and it was at that time I got married. A Gambian wedding. That day was so perfect. I had a traditional Fula ceremony and a non-traditional ceremony. I always wanted to have a beach wedding. Every time I thought of myself and marriage, I thought beach wedding. I am really drawn to water. Needless to say, my dream of having a beach ceremony was accomplished.

In 2023 I decided to go back to Africa to stay. Living between Senegal and Gambia. I had found my rhythm on the soil. Then, SURPRISE I found out that I was pregnant in late 2023. I mean, I was ecstatic. A pregnancy 17 years after my first, with my husband, living in Africa. I loved that for me. But… I decided to come back to the U.S. to give birth to my son, that was the best option for us, and so.. once again I left my life in Africa but Africa is never too far from me. I'm already preparing for my return. I’m just a woman, navigating life between two continents.

Life is a journey, not a destination

The African Renaissance Monument, 2022

My land in Senegal. These photos were shot in the exact same spot, 2 different seasons. Rainy season and dry season. This is the versatility of Senegal.