One Life to Live (a previous blog that never made it to see the light of day)

Forgive me Father for I have sinned. It has been 2 months since I last blogged and I seek you forgiveness and guidance in doing so now. Since my last blog, in these sacred walls, I witnessed the lost of two friends in one week which in turn led to two funerals the following week and a month stay in Atlanta. Father since my last blog you called home my brother Corey to your side after two years of me being present to receive glow from his radiant smile. This brother you allowed me to interact with at many social gatherings as he dance with your energy. An energy that showed your mercy and love for us all. A brother with no hang ups on living his life, because it was golden. In witnessing this spirit upon, his passing, my friend has inspired me to continue my dream to travel. In doing so, I became motivated and purchased my passport for my first trip of many to come. Corey, thank you for the smiles and your kindness. Your energy is ever present.

Father, two days later you called my brother Randall home to lead your angels in praise and worship through dance. It was this brother who took children and molded them into graceful dancers. I was this brother who you blessed with a heart of gold and a voice of angels to bless and sing your praise. My brother that you allowed me to meet in church in Savannah, Georgia doing what he loved doing the most, teaching your children the art of praise dance. A brother whose love extended all boundaries and often told me only as he could "To thine own self be true." So to my brother Randall, thank you for your soft spoken words and your kindness towards all in your presence. Brother you are soaring with angels.

So as I reflect on the lives of my two friends, I begin to appreciate the life that I was given to live. A life, that if not lived to it fullest, will be a life wasted. These two brothers blessed others not by the good deeds that they had done, but by living their lives to the fullest and in return. Eveyone was blessed by the abundance, the overflow of what their experiences brought to light. So like Zelda in his never ending quest to save his girlfriend, I too am on a quest to discover what is longing to escape before I am put back on life's shelf.

Drum and Dance -For C.C. and R.S

Foreign
Yet carrying on the rhythms of life
Bold, Strong, Enriched with sound
Standing alone
Yet its beat is loud and clear
Calling
Calling
Calling for partnership
Stirring the soul with his repetition
Repeating the sound in joy
Repeating the sound in joy
He enlivens that which yearns to live

Native
With the ability to translate that which is heard
His repetitive movement
Movement
Catches the eye
Pulling
Pulling
All that watch to join in his conversation of the spirit
Small
Fragile
Yet grand in persona
Come children of the ghettos, the religious, the hungry
Learn of his movement
Hear what he hears
Move your feet to the rhythms

The beat of the movement
Flowing in repetitiveness
He gets stuck in his boldness
Yet sounding on

The dance of life
Choreographed yet ever changing
We watched the master at work
Planning his every step

Echoing
We listen intensely for the message
We watch for the translation
It vibrations ever so strong
He beats until heard no more
Following closely to the message
The translator shortly follows
Leaving all to ponder its relationship and origin
Shelved
Until the conversation resumes

-Derron