We are all going through so many changes these days.  It's amazing all the wonderful spirits that have gone on this year.  I've been wanting to write something to you for the last few weeks.  It seems that every week that goes by, I have to add to the list new people who have touched many lives.  Of course, we all have "celebrated" people that have passed, perhaps the most celebrated being Michael Jackson.  More recently, we lost a great political leader and extraordinary person, Senator Kennedy.  His accomplishments and his pain have touched all of our lives in different and similar ways.  He and his family's circumstances affected me (as an African American growing up in the 60s) and my family in many ways.  It brought us great sorrow as we experienced near tragedies, but we also witnessed their grace and determination to give back in spite of it.  Senator Kennedy’s work, like that of his brothers and other family members, impacted the lives of so many men and women and people of various cultural groups.  His more recent grace dealing with his cancer that took him from us was a further example of diligence, determination, and humanitarianism.  Not only did he and his family do a lot for this country and the world but his example inspired many like myself to do the best we can and find a way to give back no matter what. 

During the time of Senator Kennedy's passing, the mother of one of my dearest friends passed after a long life of inspiration and service to her community and family.  She will be greatly missed by many who love her, and the example she set will continue to live on in those that she left behind, especially her daughter, my wonderful friend Lisa.  Lisa is like her mother, an example of grace, love, hard work, and service.  I pray that she will continue to endure and represent her mother's legacy, as she always has. 

A family member in my peer group also passed after a significant bout with cancer.  We lovingly called him Pinga. He left behind a number of siblings.  He endured quite a lot in his life, but like myself, he was a family favorite.  He brought love and was an example of determination through hardship for all of us.  The grace of God provided him with a partner we call Annie.  She's from another country and another culture, but she was a good example to him in his final years.  She brought him happiness and gave him support until his final days. The Lord provides even in our darkest and challenging moments and times. 

Another family friend, a little younger than myself, died suddenly of a brain aneurysm.  Craig was a tough soldier and quite a character, also like myself.  He was the youngest of his mother's first group of children.  He endured significant challenges but he spread joy and gave love to most of us that knew him.  His passing was an example of how suddenly it can happen.  He will be remembered, loved, and missed by many of us.  His mother Joan is an example of endurance, grace, and love.  Like my mother, she has had to endure the hardship of burying a child.  Like my mother also, I hope that she will go on and continue to be an example of dignity, refinement, determination, and love. 

For all of us that still remain, we must try to represent their example and live our lives in a way that reflects positively on their existence and our loved ones that still depend on us.  I feel blessed to have lived with all of these people, and I will continue to try to be an example of what is good, enduring, and faithful in their absence.  That's the best that all of us can do.  It's the lesson that we learn from them and the acknowledgement that we show God for having had them in our lives. 

On a lighter note, I saw Whitney Houston on Oprah Winfrey this week.  Although you can tell she's been through some incredible hardship that accompanies negative addictions, she showed signs of endurance, grace, and faith that can be an example to so many of us facing similar challenges.  She acknowledged much of what has been her problem and she gave thanks to those people that continue to support her and encourage her to use the gift of song and voice that was given to her.  I pray that Whitney and our President Obama continue to endure in the days ahead the challenges that are facing them and that we can use their positive examples of grace under fire to face our challenges and continue to accomplish and endure ourselves.  I'm going to do my best and I pray that you will too. 

Thanks again for being there for me and continuing to inspire me as I travel my journey.

Much love and blessings to all of you,

DJ