Dear Frances

It is little told that the richness of a life is that of those who will go there after. I have been and will continue to be blessed. Decisions that we are confronted with make us, mold us, forge us to be who we are in those waning years of our lives. Do I hide away from what I have done or live in its richness? I mean not wealth, in the sense of money, but wealth in the sense of being.

Are you happy that you are loved? Can you live with ..........you?

Dearest Frances will continue to be here long after departing this physical life. I am now sure that Belle, Rebecca, James Matthew, Sarah, Reuben, Jasper, Alease, Alberta, Mattie, Revie, James, Phillip, Lloyd and a host of others I have yet to discover are a part of me now. But life's lessons from Frances will endure, I now know.

Dear Frances, It is true!

My mother believed in what this country could be. She believed so much that she was willing to use her children as weapons of change. What mattered was that it couldn't stay the same. I, now wonder, what would she have thought, would she have cried to see what has happened in her country?

She believed. And because of that belief, so do I. I never questioned, or wondered why, I just believed, in spite of all the negative that I experienced, I have gained immensely for that experience.

I became a teacher, not because I couldn't "do", but because I had to share and influence, let others know; Frances gave me an incredible gift.

I could learn, and we all realized that I am no different, I, as you, improve through learning.

Dear Frances

Today, the America people elected an African American as the President fo these United States. In my lifetime I have seen and participated in much of the changing of this country. I have travel from one end of the country, as have others in my family. We have enjoyed some of the promise and must now continue to fight for what is right and needed to further what is needed for our country to grow. I do believe that there is more that a promise here. What is life but to enjoy the family and friends that you love in the time you are here, and to ensure that those that follow you can enjoy the same.

I must renew what I will do, it will begin with me, not "for" me, but for us.

Frances, Alease, Jasper, Matthew, Fannie, Revie, James, Reuben, Sarah and so many others I wish I knew of, it has happened. We, as a country, have elected a president that you would have only dreamed about. Thank you.