Did you know that the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal is the oldest AME church in the South? There is so much I didn't know - starting with what AME stands for. Shame on me.
You might want to watch this clip I found on CNN. It is fascinating and it makes the senseless murders even more tragic.
You've probably read or heard this poem:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
We need to be in this struggle together. I am a child of the 60's. Of the Movement. Where did it all go so terribly wrong?
I heard someone from the NAACP suggest that those of us who are moved by these events and are also white think about going to an AME church this Sunday. I don't know where to start looking for a service but if anyone out there in Facebook land would like me to join them at church please let me know.
You've probably never heard of Ted Jacobs. Uncle Teddy was the most positive person that I ever knew. Relentlessly positive, to a fault. No matter when you asked, everything was "fantastic".He was very proud of The Ohio State and sure enjoyed this past football season. He wrote a book too.
He was married to my father's sister Ruth and was a brother (not just in-law) to my mom and my dad. If you'd like to know more about him he has a website
http://www.tedjacobs.org/about-ted.html.
I don't know how long it will be there cause Uncle Teddy died this week, leaving my mom, as she reminded me, as the only one left.
Growing up we bought all of our clothes at Uncle Teddy's store. Under the stern eye of Aunt Ruth Janice, we dutifully tried on anything that fit and all of our purchases were sorted in neat piles. Uncle Teddy's store was our source of clothing for most of my formative years. Maybe that's why I like shopping for clothes so much! Choices that are not from Ted Jacobs are somehow liberating, even 50 years later.
I am sorry I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to Uncle Teddy. Unlike the other losses of these past couple of years, this one seems rather distant and detached. Rest well, Uncle Teddy. Tell Dad and your beloved Ruth Janice and our dear Brian how much we miss them all.
So it seems that our Mitzvah may be a cat after all. We prepared to say our good byes but lo and behold with some IV fluids, anti-nausea drugs and TLC he may make it to 12. Heck that's only 7 more months. Or maybe it's the cosmo. I don't know that I am ready for another loss.
It's been a few months since I posted here but will do better.
I love the first Beatles' songs. Always loved Hey Jude (used to think they really meant Hey Jode). But When I'm 64 always seemed pretty remote.
Well it's not any more. But the good news is that 2015 has already proven to be moving in the positive directions that seemed to elude 2014. Tomorrow I am off to Minnesota to begin my next great professional adventure.
For this year I am promising myself to exercise more, eat my veggies and fruits, be kinder to others and appreciate the good and banish the bad. And I should probably blog more.
Peace out, y'all.
