Marie Blanchard-Thomas

The “Tree of Life”, the beauty and strength in the Baobab tree, known throughout Africa as this. An integral and astounding symbol of strength and adversity, a prehistoric symbol. Living through starvation, abuse from neglect ,scorching heat and drought . Yet, producing food and yielding water for many lifeforms.
Caribbean people’s have endured exploration and exploitation historically and throughout have braved, thrived and endured and overcome. Within our minds are struggles ,silent within, and yet we endure also. Mental health affects so many and in times some outward signs of behavior, allow others a glimpse to see your inward, the drought and lack of understanding affect our “ skin”, our trunk and our soul despite the “ visible”, “still living” , “working” produce fruit to feed and life shared.
Our common ground merges inner brain and rings of life, thriving throughout-Yet suffering within when not nourished and supported.
Some Caribbean attitudes of” That life”, Tough it up” Ignore the need of acceptance, understanding, and feeding the foundation of self-care.
Let us hope the world will not ignore looking “within” when our trunk and our surface” appear normal and strong for we all need nourishment to grow and thrive to survive.