A story I have to share

I am past the point in my life where famous people create in me the urge to jump up and down, scream out their name or otherwise flip. Don't misunderstand me, I have favorite movie stars or musicians or athletes but I am not going to ask them to sign my t-shirt or try to get a whiff of their perfume. People as it turns out are just people and no matter how many points Michael Jordan scored or how many records Paul McCartney sold in the end they eat Chinese food, sleep lying down, and have to match their socks just like me.

The reason that I bring this up is today I found myself on the verge of jealously during the chit-chat time that follows almost all of the meetings I take these days. Sitting in the board room of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley sat a man who back in the 60's who knew Martin Luther King, Jr. personally. Now, I do not know who your heroes are. You might waste your life idolizing Ringo Star or Troy Akiman but for my money heroes don't come any more deserving or bigger than MLK and this guy knew him. He told me of the time that while working in Syracuse, NY he contacted Martin Luther King's secretary and conveyed to her his desire to have Dr. King come to Syracuse and speak. For whatever reason Dr. King's Secretary grew sweet on my friend and kept suggesting to King, who at this point had already won the Nobel Peace Prize, to come to Syracuse. In my friend's letter he sent to King he stated that the body that was extending King this invitation would not be able to "pay you what you are worth but we are able to cover your expenses" and sure enough King traveled to Syracuse on fully covered expenses.

I am in awe of this story. I am insanely jealous of anyone who has a story up his sleeve that includes the phrase "I sat next to him like I am sitting next to you" when talking about MLK.

I don't have any sappy "one to grown on" for you as I end this post. There is no "reach for the stars" rhetoric to be found but I guess I want to say is that stories like this one need to be shared. Instances in our lives where we can locate ourselves in the moments in time where shifts take place and have been impacted or have found ourselves in the presence of those who were instrumental in making those shifts need to be shared. In the years to come I hope to know people who attended the inauguration of our 1st Black President, Barack Obama, or who knew Harvey Milk not because I need a new hero but because through the telling of their stories I too grow closer to these individuals who have shaped our world and its landscape.

Enjoy your Friday...
Peace,
Brett