Jun 2013
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
One summer evening some friends and I went to Piedmont park in Atlanta Georgia to "see" Ray Charles and to hear him perform.
There were so many people, and it was so crowded that people were raising all kinds of hell. They were yelling over the music for others to sit down because they couldn't see Ray Charles playing the piano.
This totally infuriated me!
I was 20 years old and ready to stand up for ol' Ray Charles up there, even though he was well equipped to take up for himself!
He stopped mid-song because of all the commotion. When he did, I screamed at the top of my voice; "why don't ya'll all just sit down, Shut Up and LISTEN to him?!" He can't SEE any of you, DO ya'll think THAT stops HIM from making beautiful music for us?"
The crowd was totally quiet!
Everyone EXCEPT Ray Charles, that is!
He let out a great big smile and said ;"Right on Baby........Not seein' never stopped MY show!"
At that moment I felt such pride, embarrassment, and joy that I could not do anything but stand there and be mesmerized by Ray Charles, the man.... His music... And his words......
Here it is 16 years later.
After watching his movie. I have learned something new about myself through Mr.Ray Charles once more.
I am like the man, not the legend, in that I too was born with many disabilities. I was not even expected to live through birth, now after cheating death six times, I finally realize that through my mother's guidance and the will that she instilled in me, I did live! And what a life it has been!
Only now though, that my mom is gone from here, do I realize that while trying so hard to hide my pain, to overcome obstacles, and become more than she imagined, I crippled myself.
I crippled myself just as Mr. Ray Charles did, in order to hide his guilt for something thing that he had no control over during his childhood.
We went down the very same road....
Medicating the pain of life through ****** addiction and self destruction.
Oh how nice it feels to sit next to myself and see that little girl who did not know anything else to do........
It feels good to understand. And to forgive........
I love you Mama.
One summer evening some friends and I went to Piedmont park in Atlanta Georgia to "see" Ray Charles and to hear him perform.
There were so many people, and it was so crowded that people were raising all kinds of hell. They were yelling over the music for others to sit down because they couldn't see Ray Charles playing the piano.
This totally infuriated me!
I was 20 years old and ready to stand up for ol' Ray Charles up there, even though he was well equipped to take up for himself!
He stopped mid-song because of all the commotion. When he did, I screamed at the top of my voice; "why don't ya'll all just sit down, Shut Up and LISTEN to him?!" He can't SEE any of you, DO ya'll think THAT stops HIM from making beautiful music for us?"
The crowd was totally quiet!
Everyone EXCEPT Ray Charles, that is!
He let out a great big smile and said ;"Right on Baby........Not seein' never stopped MY show!"
At that moment I felt such pride, embarrassment, and joy that I could not do anything but stand there and be mesmerized by Ray Charles, the man.... His music... And his words......
Here it is 16 years later.
After watching his movie. I have learned something new about myself through Mr.Ray Charles once more.
I am like the man, not the legend, in that I too was born with many disabilities. I was not even expected to live through birth, now after cheating death six times, I finally realize that through my mother's guidance and the will that she instilled in me, I did live! And what a life it has been!
Only now though, that my mom is gone from here, do I realize that while trying so hard to hide my pain, to overcome obstacles, and become more than she imagined, I crippled myself.
I crippled myself just as Mr. Ray Charles did, in order to hide his guilt for something thing that he had no control over during his childhood.
We went down the very same road....
Medicating the pain of life through ****** addiction and self destruction.
Oh how nice it feels to sit next to myself and see that little girl who did not know anything else to do........
It feels good to understand. And to forgive........
I love you Mama.
