January 22, 2010 @ 12:01 pm

“Day On, Not Off”

Chastain Park

Chastain Park
Chastain Park
Chastain Park
Chastain Park
Chastain ParkThere are very few times in life when for a few short moments, everyone wants the same thing. I don’t mean when we come together and have a common interest and consequently are able to accomplish a similar goal. The times about which I am speaking are those when for some reason or another life feels so precious and so right that everyone feels the same about what’s most important. Today was one of those days for me; when the good and the fine is so clear that everyone feels life as it’s meant to be felt; happy and courageous, hopeful and surreal.
As my husband and I arrived at Morehouse College to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the affect he continues to have on so many was quite clear. The crowd was abundant, so abundant that we were forced to watch the televised program in another room. The speeches made, the songs performed and the lack of judgement and spite made the people rejoice and forced us all to strive for a good today and a better tomorrow. As I made my way around the campus I saw the statue of Dr. King, the address made on August of 1963, “I Have a Dream,” and various other memorable quotes. It was however the one that read, “The richer we become materially, the poorer we become morally and spiritually…we have learned to fly in the air like birds and swim in the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.” I found it so ironic that although forty years have passed this is something with which we continue to severely struggle today.
Following the rally we would be spending time cleaning a public park here in Atlanta. I had so forgotten the freedom one can experience spending time outdoors. The sun beamed as we cut back trees, the birds spoke above as we removed bottles, cans and plastic. There were several college students with whom my husband and I particularly worked. They were students who received scholarships for contributing well over 200 hours of each year to community service. As we furthered our chat we learned that this school was located in a small town in…Kentucky. What a small world!  The students from Union College in Barbourville had driven over 300 miles to help the people of Atlanta. To be attending school full-time, experiencing some sort of a social life and spending over 200 hours a year giving back to those around you is truly something to be admired. Plus, there’s simply nothing better than working next to a Kentuckian, born and bred.
Dr. King inspired people; to serve their community, to help one another, but most importantly, to do the right thing. Too often there are extraordinary people taken from this world as a result of hate, ignorance and cruelty. I believe what makes these tragedies somewhat bearable is our desire to change who we are and what we do to make our world a better place; a place that accepts us not based on skin color, religious beliefs or monetary status, but rather on the basic yearning to do what is noble, sometimes hard, but always what is good, for one and for all. As I looked around today I saw something quite different. I saw people of all backgrounds, all colors, all shapes and all ages. What was different was that for the first time in a long time I saw to what I was referring earlier. I saw a group of people, who despite the sadness in the world, were happy, were content and were proud. We were proud to extend a hand as we climbed up the banks; we were proud to reach for the limbs as they fell from the trees; we were proud to be of a city that spends its’ day working for and alongside people who strive for the very best in all walks of life.
For me, this day became possible by the incredible vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His great mind, his commitment to his words, the example he lead will forever be kept in time. How blessed I was to spend my time in Georgia in Atlanta, the city in which Martin Luther King, Jr. was born. My website begins with the words spoken by Dr. King, “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”  I’m trying to find just who I am and just what I can contribute to make a difference in this life. I haven’t quite figured that out just yet, but I am trying and I am learning everyday. Today, I know I served; today, I know I helped; today I was somewhat great.

Freedom Rally, Chastain Memorial Park Conservancy, Atlanta, GA (3)

There are very few times in life when for a few short moments, everyone wants the same thing. I don’t mean when we come together and have a common interest and consequently are able to accomplish a similar goal. The times about which I am speaking are those when for some reason or another life feels so precious and so right that everyone feels the same about what’s most important. Today was one of those days for me; when the good and the fine is so clear that everyone feels life as it’s meant to be felt; happy and courageous, hopeful and surreal.

As my husband and I arrived at Morehouse College to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the affect he continues to have on so many was quite clear. The crowd was abundant, so abundant that we were forced to watch the televised program in another room. The speeches made, the songs performed and the lack of judgement and spite made the people rejoice and forced us all to strive for a good today and a better tomorrow. As I made my way around the campus I saw the statue of Dr. King, the address made on August of 1963, “I Have a Dream,” and various other memorable quotes. It was however the one that read, “The richer we become materially, the poorer we become morally and spiritually…we have learned to fly in the air like birds and swim in the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.” I found it so ironic that although forty years have passed this is something with which we continue to severely struggle today.

Following the rally we would be spending time cleaning a public park here in Atlanta. I had so forgotten the freedom one can experience spending time outdoors. The sun beamed as we cut back trees, the birds spoke above as we removed bottles, cans and plastic. There were several college students with whom my husband and I particularly worked. They were students who received scholarships for contributing well over 200 hours of each year to community service. As we furthered our chat we learned that this school was located in a small town in…Kentucky. What a small world!  The students from Union College in Barbourville had driven over 300 miles to help the people of Atlanta. To be attending school full-time, experiencing some sort of a social life and spending over 200 hours a year giving back to those around you is truly something to be admired. Plus, there’s simply nothing better than working next to a Kentuckian, born and bred.

Dr. King inspired people; to serve their community, to help one another, but most importantly, to do the right thing. Too often there are extraordinary people taken from this world as a result of hate, ignorance and cruelty. I believe what makes these tragedies somewhat bearable is our desire to change who we are and what we do to make our world a better place; a place that accepts us not based on skin color, religious beliefs or monetary status, but rather on the basic yearning to do what is noble, sometimes hard, but always what is good, for one and for all. As I looked around today I saw something quite different. I saw people of all backgrounds, all colors, all shapes and all ages. What was different was that for the first time in a long time I saw to what I was referring earlier. I saw a group of people, who despite the sadness in the world, were happy, were content and were proud. We were proud to extend a hand as we climbed up the banks; we were proud to reach for the limbs as they fell from the trees; we were proud to be of a city that spends its’ day working for and alongside people who strive for the very best in all walks of life.

For me, this day became possible by the incredible vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His great mind, his commitment to his words, the example he lead will forever be kept in time. How blessed I was to spend my time in Georgia in Atlanta, the city in which Martin Luther King, Jr. was born. My website begins with the words spoken by Dr. King, “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”  I’m trying to find just who I am and just what I can contribute to make a difference in this life. I haven’t quite figured that out just yet, but I am trying and I am learning everyday. Today, I know I served; today, I know I helped; today I was somewhat great.

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Category: Georgia
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