Dedicated To The Ancestor Arthur Taylor Sr. a.k.a. Soldier Boy Grip
(June 20, 1923-August 12, 2005)
Soldier Boy It Was A Blessing To Know You For 25 Of Your 82 Glorious Years...I just wanted to let you know that you left a living legacy in the hearts and memories of everyone that you knew and loved...Your legacy will continue to grow as long as there are good, decent and caring people around...You helped me to see the positive in every situation and the good in all people...You made me realize that true forgiveness and gratitude does a worthy life makes and not just a one time act...You also taught me that to be truly humble is to be a great and an enthusiastic servant to humanity...
Soldier Boy Grip you were a Master Griot spinning tales expertly balanced with hyperbole and facts about your youth and young adulthood...Providing me and others with true wisdom for the ages...A truly humble and kind man who never met a stranger...A man whose integrity pertaining to providing for his family could never be questioned...
If you were here right now you would probably be tripping about the fact that a Black man is about to become President of the United States, the same United States that told you that your first name was "Nigger", middle name "Boy" and last name "John"...That told you and your people, while you were in full uniform fighting to liberate the world from tyranny, that you all had to settle for learning how to live with the chains of inequality in your own home country...
And yet you soldiered on...
When the Doctor @ the Kennedy V.A. Hospital in Memphis told you that you were lying about the seriousness of your injuries sustained from fighting the hell twins known as Hitler and Jim Crow, you angrily and righteously replied that they took the best years of your youth away from you!!!
But you also knew that patience is a virtue with limitless rewards...And so you patiently waited for 10 years after the 2nd Great War to collect your severance pay for being 100% disabled in body yet not in spirit...
And still you soldiered on...
Your generation's sacrifices made our present and future possible Soldier Boy Grip!!!
A man who lived with flaws and imperfections, but yet was truly perfect in his intentions for caring for others...
It was a pleasure to get to truly know you the last 5 years of your amazing life...You were more than a grandfather, you were my father and best friend...Your accessibility gave me the confidence to strive and at times awkwardly manifest the most ridiculous of my schemes and dreams...Your non-judgmental nature provided me the space to be myself in a world where someone is always trying to control and manipulate the will of others...
Thank you for letting me bask in the sunlight of your brilliance and generosity...
Thank you for not letting bitterness rob you of your kind and gentle spirit...
Thanks for always being there!!!
Soldier Boy It Was A Blessing To Know You For 25 Of Your 82 Glorious Years...I just wanted to let you know that you left a living legacy in the hearts and memories of everyone that you knew and loved...Your legacy will continue to grow as long as there are good, decent and caring people around...You helped me to see the positive in every situation and the good in all people...You made me realize that true forgiveness and gratitude does a worthy life makes and not just a one time act...You also taught me that to be truly humble is to be a great and an enthusiastic servant to humanity...
Soldier Boy Grip you were a Master Griot spinning tales expertly balanced with hyperbole and facts about your youth and young adulthood...Providing me and others with true wisdom for the ages...A truly humble and kind man who never met a stranger...A man whose integrity pertaining to providing for his family could never be questioned...
If you were here right now you would probably be tripping about the fact that a Black man is about to become President of the United States, the same United States that told you that your first name was "Nigger", middle name "Boy" and last name "John"...That told you and your people, while you were in full uniform fighting to liberate the world from tyranny, that you all had to settle for learning how to live with the chains of inequality in your own home country...
And yet you soldiered on...
When the Doctor @ the Kennedy V.A. Hospital in Memphis told you that you were lying about the seriousness of your injuries sustained from fighting the hell twins known as Hitler and Jim Crow, you angrily and righteously replied that they took the best years of your youth away from you!!!
But you also knew that patience is a virtue with limitless rewards...And so you patiently waited for 10 years after the 2nd Great War to collect your severance pay for being 100% disabled in body yet not in spirit...
And still you soldiered on...
Your generation's sacrifices made our present and future possible Soldier Boy Grip!!!
A man who lived with flaws and imperfections, but yet was truly perfect in his intentions for caring for others...
It was a pleasure to get to truly know you the last 5 years of your amazing life...You were more than a grandfather, you were my father and best friend...Your accessibility gave me the confidence to strive and at times awkwardly manifest the most ridiculous of my schemes and dreams...Your non-judgmental nature provided me the space to be myself in a world where someone is always trying to control and manipulate the will of others...
Thank you for letting me bask in the sunlight of your brilliance and generosity...
Thank you for not letting bitterness rob you of your kind and gentle spirit...
Thanks for always being there!!!
W.E. A.L.L. B.E. salutin' you on your Life Affirmation Day Soldier Boy Grip!!!
For More On The Adventures Of Arthur 'Soldier Boy Grip' Taylor Please Visit http://www.soldierboygrip.blogspot.com/
For More On The Adventures Of Arthur 'Soldier Boy Grip' Taylor Please Visit http://www.soldierboygrip.blogspot.com/
Buy Soldier Boy Grip Gear Now @ http://www.cafepress.com/r2c2h2
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