As I write this column I reflect on the established fact that Thanksgiving comes every year, in fact many years ago I was born on Thanksgiving Day. It is that time of year that you and I can look around and recognize those acts of positiveness that we collectively can be thankful for.
I was introduced to Tone Walls, a young Black man who majored in physiology in college and has dedicated himself to helping young persons mature into responsible men and women. Those who introduced us primarily focused on his outstanding career as a football coach in the Garfield football program. Young Mr. Walls has established a winning program on the football field by winning 12 games a year for five years, that is the grand total of 60 consecutive games without a loss.
We sat and talked and I asked what motivated him to spend time with young people. Tone began by explaining to me that it is not an individual achievement because there are about 48 other adults in various capacities that played integral parts in the overall success of the football program. He then began to elaborate on his love, concern and dedication to help these young persons reach their full potential in life and he vowed he would do his maximum to ensure most, if not the overwhelming majority, would succeed.
We often complain about the multitude of ongoing stories that portray Black men in negative situations, but I’ve always known that the multitudes of our youthful descendants are like Tone Walls. It was truly a meeting that left me thankful on this Thanksgiving Day.
I am a lifetime member of New Destiny C.M.E. Church located at 1018 Bidwell St. on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Our membership is truly a Christian, loving, religious family. The father of the church is Mr. James Addis, an active, loving responsible, reliable, dependable, and trustworthy 94-year-old Christian man. Mr. Addis no longer moves as fast as he use to, does not think as fast as he use to, but the one factor that has not lessened is his overwhelming love for his God, his church and God’s people. On this Thanksgiving Day once again I am thankful.
As I conclude this week’s column once again I am reminded of a favorite poem often quoted by my guy Mal Goode. It was the poem that told the story of an elderly man (Mr. James Addis) who built a bridge across a wide chasm, and when asked why, he responded by saying, “it will make it easier for the young men (Tone Walls) who will be crossing behind me. ”
Please remember Kingsley Association.
(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a weekly contributor to the Forum page.)
