On Monday morning, October 23, 2000. I received an email from a friend. It was those adorable baby pictures by the photographer – Anne Geddes.
I had needed and had been greatly supported in every way by my friends and my family doing that period of my life. I was extremely grateful and thankful that morning… so in honor of my love for my special friends who had stood by me, I wrote:
“I Believe Friends are Quiet Angels who lift us to our Feet when our Wings have Trouble Remembering how to Fly.”
And signed the quote Lorraine K Mitchell with the date and sent the emails to the three of them.
Within the the next few days every email I received from any and everyone had my quote attached to it, which shocked me to the utmost.
One of my friends said that I should be honored that so many found my words so beautiful and encouraging. I wept and grieved.
(I recognized the strength and value of the words God had given me that morning. And I felt as though I had lost my child to the world. My heart weeps for my quote daily because the world refers to me as unknown. But I am here. I am alive. And I desire for my words to know their mother. I am an artist.)
But, the very next year was 9/11… and my quote took on a new life of its own. It was posted everywhere, even in a half page article in the New York Times accompanying a beautiful picture of a fireman with a 9/11 victim. The image of an Angel stood just above them. The photographer received credit, but I was listed as anonymous.
I’ve been told over the years that I have the gift of the written word, although I couldn’t believe it. I shied away from the compliments.
On the other hand my child, my quote has confirmed the power of my gift over and over for the last 16 years.
But lately I’ve been troubled.
My child, my quote is being sold all over the internet in various forms, on small rocks, sliver jewelry, plagues, wall hangings, and on ugly t-shirts.
I’ve found organizations in and outside of the United States that are also using the quote. Associations, fund raisers, school teachers, bloggers have used the quote for their website titles, and two women have claimed the quote as their own. A song writing team has written a wedding song.
I’ve found my quote to be listed as the number one used quote on one website and as number 15 on another as the most requested and used.
And my quote has been used in the introductions and acknowledgements of over 26 books/text written since 2002.
Although, there is an author that I found that readily admitted the quote was forwarded to him in an email by his friend and he gave praise to the strength of the quote by the anonymous author.
But, at least he acknowledged what he knew of my quote’s lineage.
This Friday, I wept uncontrollably seeing it yet again flashed in my face. Now, I am claiming my child, my quote and bringing her home.
My name is Lorraine K. Mitchell.
I am African American.
I am an author.
I am the author/owner and have the legal copyrights of the quote(s) written on Monday morning, October 23, 2000.
No versions of this quote(s) may be used without the legal and written consent of this author.
“Versions 1 and 2”
“I Believe Friends are Quiet Angels who lift us to our Feet when our Wings have Trouble Remembering how to Fly.”
“I Believe Friends are Quiet Angels who lift us up when Our Wings have Forgotten how to Fly.”
Peace be with you all.
Please post my name as the author of origin.
Thank you
