I’m sure you all know this is my time of year — Mother’s Day, the greatest day of all, for the greatest person for most of us, especially me and Wayne, as well as graduation time and accomplishments all around. I’m the biggest fan of these occasions and what they represent. More specifically, my mom is doing her thing, looking after everybody, staying active, loving strong, and always with nothing but the best intentions. I extend my thanks to her for doing so much for so many for so long.

I drafted this message from the 12th floor of the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, next to the L.A. Airport. I needed the accommodations because mold was discovered in the bathroom of my apartment. The place was unsafe and unhealthy to inhabit. I’m back at home now, but it required considerable adjustments from my nursing staff, who had to help me break out of my normal routine to accommodate and adapt to this change. And of course, once again, I had the support of my mom to help keep it all pieced together, backing me up and tightening things up to make things bearable. Thanks mom! Three of my nurses are mothers also and I’ve got nothing but love and admiration for how they handle their own lives and manage to work with me through my changing experiences and keep me feeling blessed.

Getting back to graduations, I’ve got two ladies graduating from college, with very proud mothers sharing this first experience. One mother and father are actually experiencing college graduation for their first born daughter (GO DANIELLE!) and a high school graduation for their baby boy (Richard Jr.), on his way to the Univ. of Arizona in the Fall and jazz in Europe with his family for the summer. I’m real proud of that warm and loving family. I also can’t forget my sweet Jasmine, graduating from Cal. State Dominguez, the pride and joy of her mom and grandmom, and all her friends and others that know this outstanding trio. Congratulations Hyacinth! You work hard for your honey.

I’ve also got high school graduations in Atlanta with Malcolm, Georgia’s one and only, and Southern California, with Theo, on his way to Morehouse in Atlanta. Last but not least making it out of high school is my special girl Elyse. Her father Lance, my good buddy and little bro, and her big brother Shariff are so proud.

Keep striving. There are much better days ahead and more accomplishments to be had. The sky’s the limit for this group! So much potential and so much support. That’s what makes it happen.

I got to end this message with my expression of support and happiness for our President’s decision on same sex marriage. Let relationships blossom in an atmosphere of prevailing support and acceptance. So many good people need a chance to love and be loved openly. Congratulations on a strong decision. I’ve been calling for Barack not to try to play it too safe and instead, take the high road and step out on some of the principles and values that he expressed during the last election. He, like myself and others, wants a better America and therefore, sometimes you got to shake things up, even though it might mean potentially a one-term presidency. He is history and always will be. I want him to be self-determined. I’m with him all the way, as I am with Michelle, who is another strong and outstanding mother.

I love all you mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, wives, and husbands. Please keep reading and supporting me. Make sure your moms and your graduates know you care, like I care for all of you. God bless.

It doesn’t matter if you’re religious or Christian. Resurrection is someting that touches all of us in our lives at one time or another, whether it’s a loved one that we’ve lost or a relationship that has changed. The idea of something being born again or revived or the opportunity to forgive someone are all concepts that we can utilize. Think about it.

This past couple of weeks, we’ve had a community police killing of a young teenage boy in Miami. We should believe that no life is given or taken in vain. That 14 year old’s spirit should be known and remembered for more than just the way he passed on. We shouldn’t remember him only for the bad thoughts and the bad memories that his killing evokes from a history of unkindness and injustice. We have truly as a people gone past that. We shouldn’t think about the past killing at that school in Oakland, CA solely for the seemingly senseless murders. We should think about the good those people left behind, and the good that their memories can inspire. We should also remember the miracle that took place in the Dallas, TX area with two tornadoes colliding over an area with over 1.5 million people, destroying much property but not taking any lives.

Resurrection, rebirth, forgiveness, and the future are important things to think about at times like these and in situations like these. Look through your life and acknowledge the blessings and the good things that you have. Think about seeing a new day, living another year, and all the wonderful opportunities that that brings. If you have a chance and it’s warranted, forgive someone. Acknowledge someone that you love for their growth and their potential. Be thankful for the changes and the growth in your own life. And remember that you’re loved and that I love you.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday. See you soon.

This is a picture of me and my friend Marc Jackson and Roy Hargrove.  I saw him recently at Catalina Bar and Grill in L.A.  Roy remains one of my favorite jazz musicians and celebrities.  I love him, his dedication to the music, and the way that he nurtures and supports his bandmates throughout the years.  He’s discovered quite a few musicians and mentored them, just like he was by people like Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, and Elvin Jones.  I’ve seen him with a number of musicians throughout the years.  I appreciate and applaud his dedication to the music and to performing it throughout the world.  I had the opportunity to discover him for myself years ago in Montrose Switzerland and I’ve seen him in Europe and throughout the U.S. ever since.  I pray that God allows him to promote and perform the music for years to come and that I get a chance to see him again.

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So many things to choose from. On a personal level, my good friend Anthony is planning to go to Afghanistan on a civilian contract to broaden his experience and provide a little something extra for his family.

My brother was volunteering in Oakland a couple of weeks ago, playing basketball with some young people. He did some damage to his knee and had knee surgery last week. So far, all is good. He’s quite sore now though.

My buddy Baron and his family are preparing for their father’s memorial, Saturday, March 10. How many good memories can you share with how many people? When a man raises a large family and shares a career with his wife in law enforcement, starts a business that provides jobs for so many people and safety for countless children that go back and forth to and from school every day, you get a considerable amount. Ronald Farwell will be remembered for this and so much more.

Speaking of memories, we’ll all be remembering Don Cornelius for giving us Soul Train, a platform that showcased musicians and talented African American artists for three decades, introducing the great Motown, Stax, Capitol and Atlantic artists, like Stevie Wonder, Michael and the other Jacksons, Aretha, Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Earth, Wind and Fire, Natalie Cole, Patti and Labelle, and Al Green, as well as all the politicians and actors and actresses of the day. Don wasn’t always the nicest guy, as I can personally attest to. But man, he did bring the music.

Speaking of music, another humongous voice and artist just passed, Whitney. It’s hard to speak of so much publicity and so many questions and so much affirmation and affection. We’re going to miss her voice, charisma, sweetness, and soulfulness for years to come. Her “sister,” Etta James, passed a little while ago. She was the personification of jazz and blues. Whitney, like our “brother” Michael, was pop music royalty at its best. So many great songs that we’ll listen to for the rest of our lives. We’ll never stop missing Whitney and Michael, but they’ll keep us together and comforted through their music for many years.

As for sports, what about those “Jersey” Giants, Super Bowl champs again! I’m happy about that!! The Manning family has given a lot to us football fans through their incredible talent and their fine example of family values and accomplishment. And what about my new Asian brother, Jeremy Lin, playing for my New York Knicks! I can only hope that he’ll continue to play “Harvard” style basketball and at least bring the Knicks back to the playoffs with the help of Amari and Carmelo.

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t forgotten Tim Tebow. He really brought something special to professional sports. Many professional athletes and entertainers do not mention their faith as the catalyst for their success. Few personify their spirituality, like Tim Tebow did with his success with the Broncos this year. I can only hope that he and Jeremy continue to find success and engrain their messages and example for the next few years.

Lastly, what about The State of the Union? After three years of struggle and challenge, my man and my President, Barack Obama, and his administration have shown some significant accomplishments and signs of improving the economy. As he said three years ago, it’s going to take some time to make good things happen. But I say, let’s give him another term to really do something great. Let’s get some improved health care, some better education, some improved nutrition, a greener environment, some more jobs, and a more peaceful world. I think he can contribute a lot to all these things. He brings a calm intelligence and formitability to the administration of the American way.

I love you guys. Keep praying for me and loving each other.

Being 50, mortality is more than just looming in the future. It’s all around, inside and out, the way you feel when you get up in the morning, when you bend down to pick up a child or put on your shoes. This is to the fathers, grandfathers, sons, brothers, and friends, in various states of good health and bad, leaving, or even passing on before us. Those of us blessed to have these people in our lives and to share memories of them from our past wouldn’t be the same without them.

A number of my good friends have lost loved ones in the past couple of years. Recently, one of my best friends and brothers, Baron Farwell, lost a father that he considered a hero and his beloved. I know that same feeling. I also know a few brothers/friends who have lost their fathers. They can all identify with that unique and special feeling of grief that comes from the loss of a father or mother figure in our lives. I know one of the things that makes me feel closest to Baron is the type of feelings we share and the family/cultural values that we have in common from our parents. Baron taught me so much in the 36 years we’ve known each other. Much of the wisdom, guidance, loyalty, commitment, and trustworthiness that he shared with me I’m sure he learned from his father, as I have from mine. We have been blessed to have them in our lives. I am particularly blessed because I have a number of friends that share the experience of the influence of father/brother figures in our lives. It’s no coincidence that most of us that share some spiritual fateful belief consider a father figure as the focal point of that faith. Mothers are devine. They have a special relationship to all of us. But father figures, when we have them, add stability, confidence, assertiveness, strength, and tenderness. That means a lot to the development of our characters and personalities.

I’m going to miss Mr. Farwell, but I’ll be forever thankful to him for giving me and all of us Baron and the number of siblings that he raised and mentored. Baron will be teaching me the grace that it takes to endure mortality as he grieves the loss of his father. Me, my brother, my family, and countless friends and relatives will be there to support him in this effort. His father will be teaching us one last vital lesson, as we experience the dignity and grace of his family as they endure this substantial challenge. No doubt, he has prepared them for this, as he has so many other things. Those of us who are blessed to have known him and are blessed to have similar influences in our lives will learn this lesson also. Let us reach out to those father/mother figures in our lives that mean so much to us and show them our appreciation. Give them our love and acknowledge their importance in our lives. Thank you Ronald Farwell. Rest in peace. Baron and Farwell family, we’re here for you.

What a year this has been for so many of us. Such a hardship for some, such bounty for others, so many blessings for me and my family. I love you guys so much. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been at home and on a ventilator for two and a half years. I’ve spent some time in and out of Saint Johns, UCLA Hospital in Santa Monica. For the most part, I’ve been healthy and comfortable. I know some of you have been disappointed that I haven’t regained the use of my voice. If it’s possible, I’m going to definitely try and work on some changes for the coming year, 2012, a year of significant and substantial change for so many of us.

I’ve been on the mend for most of our president’s first term of duty. I have to say, there’s been some disappointment, especially some of the compromises he’s had to make in order to work with the Republican House and so much influence in the Republican Senate. I ask myself if he would have really been willing to undertake this task if he knew that so much of the support that he got during his campaign and election would be rescinded and that he would be abandoned in the very first House selection in 2010. It makes me wonder whether people have any level of political sophistication at all when they were supporting and electing him in 2008. I know I heard him when he said it was going to be a difficult ride at first, trying to get certain policy implemented and established. But when it happened, people turned on him and acted as if our current political and economic hardships were brought in and caused by Obama’s political lack of sophistication. Of course, we all know that isn’t true. It didn’t seem to matter in the 2010 election. Of course, working with the new Republican regime in the House and the machine in the Senate hasn’t made it any easier.

I want things to get better and I believe that Barack Obama can improve things over the next four years. He should be given a chance to work more conscientiously on his policy outcomes in the coming years. I’ll be doing what I can to put myself in position to support his reelection campaign with everything I have. I’d love to be able to live into another term of an African American presidency and given a chance to work on some policy stabilizing ideas that Barack has been trying to promote. I would love to see the health care bill reinforced and stabilized in the new term. I would love to see some revenue accumulated by getting some more tax money from the wealthiest sectors in society. Right now, the economy is so bad it would not be a catastrophe to take some additional income from the tax base that Obama’s proposing in order to stabilize our economy along with savings that would be incurred with the military budget changes and some of the jobs created by the infrastructure reinforcing that Obama is proposing. I know some of my college buddies are disappointed by stalwart support for Obama given the state of the economy and the miniscule changes we’ve experienced this past couple of years. Most of you know how dedicated, loyal, and intelligent I am also. So even though you may have some questions regarding your support of Obama, you should still be supportive of me and know that my intentions are honorable and intelligible when it comes to our country and our collective communities. I know that things are going to get better. And I believe that Barack Obama can be instrumental in making those things happen given the time and support that any president is due.

So many challenges have taken place for so many this year. Some of the stuff that people are facing because of the economy is really moving. So many of my family, friends, and contacts have been faced with challenges. But we’ve been blessed. Most of us are still working and healthy and experiencing success in our relationships and careers. I’ve been in touch with a number of people throughout the year. I’m still thankful and sometimes a bit in awe of the number of people that still think of me and contact and reach out to me. I’m so thankful to them and I love you for your efforts. My experience is most of what I have to offer to my loved ones as an example of what giving love and reaching out can do to enhance your life. I pray that all of you consider your blessings and realize what and who you have to be thankful for and acknowledge them. It will make a big difference in all our lives. Thank you again for encouraging me and for motivating me to reach out and be there for those people I care about. Stay in touch with me. Give me the blessing of your time and your consideration once again in the new year. I’ll do my best to continue to try and be worthy.

I was listening to Barack Obama at the Martin Luther King Jr. monument dedication. I wasn’t able to listen to all of it because my station cut off on me right in the middle of it. But he talked about 3 things that made a difference to me and left his usual lasting impression on me. He talked about Dr. King having a MORAL IMAGINATION. What a concept! I challenge anyone to think about that idea and not come up with something profoundly human for all of us concerned about a better world. He also described Dr. King’s CIVIC VISION, another term that depicts a collective viewpoint on how we should look at each other when thinking about policy and representation for our mutual best interest. He described a man that had the kind of FAITH IN US, where there could be an African-American president of the United States. This came to pass because Dr. King was right and we need to remember when thinking about our choices in the upcoming election that all children can envision a life that includes the presidency.

We dropped the ball in 2010 and took the Congress away from him, which created an even more complex problem for him to deal with. Then the economic environment that he was elected to deal with took away his ability to be effective on many levels. He still has been able to maintain a dignity and a sense of purpose that’s created some positive options for us and that has saved us from an economic collapse and begun to provide a foundation for a better future. I will be writing to you and encouraging you to continue to support Barack Obama, to listen to him, and to disseminate his ideas for a more formitable and all-inclusive society. My mentor and California Berkeley professor Harry Edwards gave an interesting and uplifting Obama support speech in the Silicon Valley. I would like to provide you with a youtube link so you can listen to it and get back to me on your opinions of his straightforward, intellectual endorsement of the president:

I love you and I believe you will make the right decision and give your support to the President.