REMEMBERING brother ZACH

On October 28, 2018, I was up and out early to go vote during "early voting" in my local election. Stacey Abrams was the underdog that was running for Governor. She was like no one Georgia had seen before with a platform we could all stand behind.  I had posted a photo on Facebook showing off my Georgia Voter sticker and I wanted to share that with my Dad. He was a big supporter of the "sister in Georgia" that actually looked like she could be in our family. 

Little did I know my Dad was not recovering comfortably in the hospital from a recent procedure, but actually taking his last breaths of life. I never did have the opportunity to call him - instead I received the call from my sister that he'd gone on. No one ever plans for receiving those calls. I remember how it felt when I got the call about my maternal grandfather, Poppy. I remember the call when I learned about my Aunt Sharnell. Even my paternal grandfather, Papa James. But the way it hit for my own Daddy was a blow like never before. I actually felt weak and the air leaving my body. 

Now, two years later all I can do is be at peace that my Dad's journey here was fulfilled. He touched so many lives, lived an amazing life himself, experienced the good and the bad and always kept us grounded as stewards of the community. I'll rejoice in this day and do the work Dad would want me to. Thank you Daddy and I love you. NH

"The Charter line of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated at Columbia University in 1967! We took the University by surprise an even all the negative talk about Us never prevented Our Que Line from being as political concerning Black Issues as anyone on Campus! Fighting for change was our mission!!"

The day I learned my father passed was like all the air in my lungs was taken away. It was the kind of call you never want to receive from family, but I could here it in my step-sister's voice. I was at work and had voted earlier that day for mid-term elections.  We had spoken to each other just the day before - Sunday late afternoon while he was recovering in the hospital from a minor procedure. We all thought we had time for lots of conversations. 

My Dad hadn't reached out to notify the family he had fallen ill and was in the hospital, so I sent a text to our family in DE to reach out and call.  When Dad and I talked, he promised he'd tell me more about his health and other stuff when "he got back home". As a loving and concerned daughter, I had chastised my Dad for keeping his health issues quiet and that it had got to the point of hospitalization. We all thought we had time to discuss our plans to be healthy and enlist the support of the family.

In the end, God had other plans. Dad's work was done on his journey and I really feel he left us so many gems from his writings, his dedication to the community, his strong points of view and just showing up when he was needed. We all though we had time for Dad to grow old, publish books, poetry and continue with his favorite things like going to the Saratoga Jazz Festival or Delaware State University's homecoming.

Suddenly, I was thrust into pulling through all the photos I had of my father with the help of my sister friends. I had the hardest job of telling my son, his Grandpa Zach was gone and transitioned to the ancestors. It was a very surreal time and then I was on my way to NJ from Atlanta to prepare for the homegoing ceremony and cremation. 

The program was the most difficult thing I've ever had to write. It was like trying to pull my Dad's entire life into a few pages when his "dash mark" was so full and had so many highlights. I thank my Moms - Joan and Jan; my Aunties Beverly, Diane, Tina and Shelly; my brother Zach, frat brothers and close family friends that helped put the words to paper.  NH  Read program here.