This Last Week

of 2006 was full of ends. Obviously there was the end of the year 2006, but for me, it was framed by four deaths. Three of them you all were aware of. One you could not be unless you are a family member.

1) James Brown. He died Christmas Day. The man had his problems, but as I listened to news reports of his body lying "in state" at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem and of people dancing and singing in the streets, I was made to think of how I want people to memorialize me. I would prefer not to have a somber ceremony. I want people to dance and sing and remember me not as being gone, but of the life I lived. I think of the New Orleans' funerals with the bands. That kind of celebration.

2) Gerald Ford. Talk about inheriting a mess. I think Gerald Ford showed us that you have to make the best out of whatever situation life hands you. He lived with integrity and best of all, he was never bitter but always considered it a blessing to serve as the leader of our country.

3) Saddam Hussein. I don't believe in the death penalty. Ever. I think this is evidence of a sad trend of death in our world. I don't deny Saddam was a horrible person and deserved to be punished. I believe that only when God sends the Angel of Death should one succumb to it.

4) My sister-in-law's mother. When we gathered for Christmas dinner at my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's house, my sister-in-law shared that her first experience with death was when she was eleven years old and just before Christmas her dog was killed by a passing motorist. She described not wanting any presents, just her dog back. Two days after telling us this story, her mother passed away after a long battle with dementia and other various illnesses. Luckily, my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and nephew were there. I think of how painful this must be as my sister-in-law is an only child and this happening just after a joyous Christmas. I feel for my nephew, who will never remember the grandmother who wanted him so badly.

I start 2007 thinking of how these ends will yield new beginnings. God Bless You All.