Image: Courtesy, mayaangelou.com
Maya Angelou has canceled her April 11 scheduled appearance at the Fayetteville Public Library over concerns for her health, library officials announced Tuesday. The event will not be rescheduled.
The inspiring author, who celebrated her 86th birthday last week, said she was hospitalized and is unable to travel to her home state for the sold-out engagement.
“I am profoundly saddened that I am unable to be with you on Friday, April 11, 2014,” said Angelou in a statement released by the library. “I long to come to the state of Arkansas, in general, and I long to be in Fayetteville, in particular.
“I will be getting better and the time will come when I can receive another invitation from my state and you will recognize me for I shall be the tall Black lady smiling. I ask you to please keep me in your thoughts, in your conversation and in your prayers.”
Angelou also canceled a March appearance in El Paso, Texas for similar health reasons.
“After an unfortunate bout of illness… and a short hospitalization, I am resting comfortably at home and it is recommended that I do not travel at this time,” Angelou said in a statement last month.
David Johnson, the library’s executive director, said he was “disheartened” about Angelou’s decision to cancel, but that he understands her health concerns and wishes her a speedy recovery.
Over 2,000 free tickets were distributed for the event. Johnson said all ticket holders will be notified of the cancelation via email.
Here is Angelou’s full statement:
Dear Fayetteville Public Library, Arkansas Family and Friends,
I am profoundly saddened that I am unable to be with you on Friday, April 11, 2014. I long to come to the state of Arkansas, in general, and I long to be in Fayetteville, in particular. I learned in Arkansas at a very young age from my grandmother who taught me, ‘when you learn, teach and when you get, give’.
In Arkansas I also learned not to complain. I was taught that there are people all over the world who have less than I have and who would give anything for a portion of my possessions. They went to sleep last night as I went to sleep and they never awakened. Their beds have become their cooling boards and their blankets have become their winding sheets and they would give anything and everything for what I was complaining about.
In Arkansas, I learned to trust love, not the romance of it, but the heart of it. In Arkansas I learned to have respect for friendship, to honor it, to trust it and to build it.
An unexpected ailment put me into the hospital. I will be getting better and the time will come when I can receive another invitation from my state and you will recognize me for I shall be the tall Black lady smiling.
I ask you to please keep me in your thoughts, in your conversation and in your prayers.
Love,
I am,
Maya Angelou
