“When you are sorrowful look in your heart, you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Some say joy is greater than sorrow, others say sorrow is greater. I say they are inseparable. Together they come, when one sits, alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.” - Kahlil Gibran
Joy and Pain. The sudden death of Sam Love during Delta Sigma Theta’s conference shocked us. Sam was in town with his wife Barbara of 50 years, enjoying Delta’s activities as only a Delta husband can. Many knew Sam when he worked for Amtrak in the Club Car. Mention Sam’s name to any Amtrak worker they would smile. Honored to follow in his footsteps, they affectionately called Sam “Dr. Love” because of his willingness to train the younger generations and his perpetual smile. I remember when I caught the train to New York with Barbara, Sam, Dr. Ray and Joan Bowen. We left Ground Zero in search of Katz’s Deli featured in the movie When Harry Met Sally. We traveled the New York subways from one subway to another, “up the down staircases.” We were lost. Everyone we asked said you can’t get there from here. We finally reached our destination. Sam hadn’t said much, but shook his head and said, “This was a long way to come for a sandwich.” Everyone was in hysterics; we thought it but Sam said it.
‘Take the A Train’
Conductor A. Phillip Randolph called all aboard, Dr. Love is in the Club Car on the heaven bound train, smiling and waving at his Omega brothers. “Hush, hush somebody’s calling my name.” Its FAMU’s Marching 100 Band drum lining their favorite Alumnus through heaven’s gates. A full military burial at Arlington National Cemetery is planned. Call Vaughn Greene for information, 410-233-2400.
“Sometimes it takes years to really grasp what has happened to your life.” - Wilma Rudolph
Friends gathered to celebrate the birthday of internationally acclaimed musician Carlos Johnson and exuberant jazz promoter Maxine Smith at the Frederick Douglass/ Isaac Myers Museum, hosted by Bemore Jazz. The sunny afternoon overlooking the harbor and the Domino Sugar sign was the perfect setting to enjoy an old fashioned jazz set with Carlos and the Zone One Band.
“I wish those days would come back again.” Folks reminisced about the “good old days” when Carlos and Cornell Muldrow would rock the Lucky Number on Poplar Grove Street as we sipped on champagne and grenadine. Carlos sang a special tribute to Mary McPherson celebrating her 92nd birthday. At the event was James “Biddy” Wood, Clifton “Shorty” Buise, Ruth and Russell Cromartie, Ronald Bailey, John and Lyberia Massey, artist Bay Bay, Duchess Atkinson, Yvonne West, Maxine Turnipseed, Marcus Towns, Joan Hall, Dorothy York, Yvonne Holton, Pat Rosselle
and Claudia of Mane Attractions.
“One needs occasionally to stand aside from the hum and rush of human interests and passions to hear the voices of God.” - Anna Julia Cooper
Hines was there signing copies of his autobiography Had I Listened. I support our artists, so when he told me my picture was in the book with Smokey Robinson I couldn’t get my money out fast enough. The book showcases his life growing up in Baltimore, coming of age, facing trials and tribulations, being raised by his grandmother and teenage mom. I started reading the book and couldn’t put it down.
“Believe in yourself, right from the start, you'll have brains, you'll have a heart, you'll have courage to last your whole life through. If you believe in yourself as I believe in you.” - The Wiz
My childhood friend Brenda Darby Waters sent this beautiful note. “My daughter Ann Marie Waters received her master’s degree as a systems engineer from George Washington University. Our family’s first professional. We are so proud of her, working full time and raising three children as a single parent, she found the strength (with God’s grace, guidance and love) to complete her education. After graduating from Poly, she graduated from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore and continued on to College Park. After working and saving she found the time and put forth the effort to complete her education in engineering. Thank you, Jesus. My granddaughter Shantae Logan graduated from Homeland Security High School.”
“Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” - Booker T. Washington
“Another Saturday Night.” My niece Morgan Chase, along with graduates Jarenae Plessy, Carver Center for Arts & Technology; Josie Woodward, Western High School; Shanae Williams, Franklin High and Erin Wilson, Polytechnic High, hosted a graduation party at the home of Erin’s parents, Dr and Mrs. Barney Wilson. “We’re having a party.” More than 200 guests attended the party at the palatial home in Reisterstown, enjoying basketball, swimming, dancing and badminton. It was great seeing so many young people having a ball.
To the 2009 graduates, Living for the Weekend shares your joy and we wish you continued success. I heard a statement years ago. “It’s better to aim high and miss than aim low and hit.”
“An affair to remember” takes place June 27 at Signs of the Times Seafood Affair. Features crab cakes, shrimp and more. Call Dee at 410-302-1935 for tickets.
Seeing McRaymond “Mack” Norrington celebrating his 71st birthday at The Windsor Inn with daughter Angie Cornish, son, Ricky Norrington, and daughter-in-law, Deirtra Norrington; brought back memories when Mack owned 007 on Clifton Avenue back in the day. Mack is enjoying life in Holly Springs, N.C.
Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch
A luta continua