River of Rebirth

I'm listening to the music of Trinidad Orisa priestess Ella Andall, her powerful voice, the chorus, the beating of the drums sing praises of Oshun and Shango, making me move along to the music. She sings "Aladadoye!" (He lives) in praise of Shango, calling on him to destroy the obstacles that plague our everyday lives.
Yesterday I went to the Hudson River, to put yellow roses in the river to my mother Oxum. Tomorrow is her feast day in Candomble and I went to the river despite those freezing temperatures. The river was moving onward to the ocean of Yemanja, fast and strong as ever. I let go of something with sadness in my heart and today I find myself dancing to the beats of Trinidad's drums. The river is still flowing, the sun still rose this morning. The music still continues.
This is what it means to practice the religion of the orishas. To survive, to thrive even despite the boulders that lie in your path, despite the mockery of the tongues of others, despite the seemingly soul crushing burdens of every day life. to dance with joy, even though you are weighed with sorrow within. The pulse of the drums still plays, the voices are still raised to Ile Orun in praise. Ashe. (The above painting was done by artist Maria Guilla Alemanno)