So much in a name. Shapel. In French it's “Chapelle” meaning chapel. A small building dedicated for the purpose of worshipping Christ. Usually it is attached to a larger institution or even private houses. France houses Sainte-Chapelle, a royal chapel internationally and historically known for its beauty. It was comissioned to house Passion relics, one of them being the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus Christ. The building gives a sense of ethereal beauty with it’s strong vertical emphasis and weightlessness. The stained glass windows give you the feeling that you are steps away from heaven. It is a spiritual house for the praying, the praising and the faithful. Aptly named Shapel when understanding the experiences I’ve been through and how each phenomenological event from the universe brought me closer to God. How many times I’ve looked death in the eye and persisted. How many times I’ve not only heard the voice of God but felt their hand uplift me so I can be vertical when so much in this world wants to break down the Black woman. How many times I felt that same hand protect me from badmind so that I can be “weightless” in knowing that 1Corinthians 10:13 is a living truth. Evident in the faiths of RoseBud and Abdul, whose blood flows within me. The beholding eye that has commanded my beauty and greatness and does not ask me to be humble in their image. Who gives me the living spirit and idea of Christ, pure love, my inspiration and aspiration for this world. So many reasons why I am grateful and thankful. This is why I can always smile at the Sun.