I could not remember the story from that night so I instant messaged Joella. She responded:
“I have been thinking back to our reunion and that story and realized your words have been absorbed into my world. I have been trying to recall the specifics and realized your inspiration carried me through my many years as a school principal, now becoming part of me. You were wise beyond your years in high school when you challenged the status quo and made it a good thing to be true to yourself and be proud of who you are. Kids today still struggle to fit in and define themselves by the social groupings of popular and not popular. You made it cool to be proud of who you are and not to let others define you. Thank you!"
Joella’s words were with me today as an article was forwarded about “All Lives Matter.” The article said that white people say all lives matter because they are uncomfortable with “black lives matter.” It was funny that the article made assumptions. I believe all lives matter since I was a chaplain with folks, who were in the last chapter of their lives. It did not matter to me about their respective belief system or the color of their skin. I was honored to be allowed into their lives and to hear their stories. I was humbled. I will always cherish these moments.
After tonight, I plan to take a few days break from my personal Facebook page and television. I chose not to hear about Colin Kapernick tomorrow and the Presidential debate on Monday evening. There are positives in life. What are those positives for you?
Remember, be who you are, words matter and all lives matter, too.
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