Featuring Toya "Africa" Johnson
Photography by Demetrius Markee
I am very fortunate to have lived a life, that so far, has treated me well over all. There is a long list of things that I I am grateful to have or have had in my life. There are a multitude of things that I consider to have been great gifts bestowed upon me in these thirty four years on earth and I can say that I have been blessed with great life experiences. I am so appreciative of all that I have been able to experience and all of the gifts life has offered, but I can say, with a shadow of a doubt that the greatest gift I have ever received is my sister!
There is no greater gift God or my mom could have given me than my sister. Being able to experience life's ups, downs, highs and lows with you has been such an amazing plus to life. Having someone that you can confide in, trust with your secrets, cry with, laugh with, lift you up when you're down and to know that regardless of any decisions you make they will always be there for you is something a lot of people never get to experience. We may not always agree on things, but the love that we share for one another outweighs any and everything. To be able to share my life with you is a blessing.
I tried my best to make the best decisions in life, because I knew you were watching and I wanted to lead by example. I wanted to ensure that I would be someone you could be proud of and look up to, because I was the older brother, but I now realize that me being the oldest doesn't mean a thing. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter who's older or younger, because we both can lead by example. I may be the oldest, but I in some ways look up to you just as much as you look up to me! Watching you live your life "FOR YOU" despite what anyone may have to say or think makes me proud. Watching you take ownership of your life and grow to love and embrace all that you are has made me better.
Unbeknownst to you, I walk a little more firm in who I am because of you! You've opened my eyes to things in life I may have never paid attention to if I didn't have you. I'm so grateful to have you in my life and to be able to call you my sister. The best thing in the world...I'll never trade you for anybody else!
