One Last Crossing

I stood and cried today as the horse drawn carriage pulled the body of John Lewis up the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Hearing the gratitude and applause of onlookers in Selma and then watching the carriage driver stop in the middle of the bridge, stand up and take his hat off - that moment was everything - respect, dignity, admiration, affection and immense gratitude. 

I had the incredible good fortune of meeting Representative Lewis many years ago in his DC office. I was there with a youth group through my work. He was kind, approachable, warm, funny and charming but he was also serious. We sat in a circle around him as he told us about the importance of getting in 'good trouble' - they, like me were mesmerized by Representative Lewis, and by his message. 

Our country and our world are in such trouble, and not the good kind Representative Lewis mentioned so often and with such intent. 

Through his life, through his work and through his voice, John Lewis showed us the way to change, to heal, he showed us the way to move forward. We need to find our way towards that respect, dignity, admiration, affection and immense gratitude - for everyone and for ourselves. 

"Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble."