Tag: generosity

In December of 2018, my mother’s partner and a significant father figure in my life passed away. His name is Lorenzo ‘Logie’ Meachum, and he brings people together in life and in death.

This may seem out left field, but there are so many examples of things that divide us; race, politics, sex, education, money. All these issues tear people apart, but one of the things that can unite us is music.

Logie Meachum was a marine, fireman, educator, historian, storyteller and so much more, but he was also a blues musician. He sung the blues, and his music came from his heart. He had the extraordinary ability to make up lyrics on the fly, all he needed was the music and he was good to go.

His personality, like his music was infectious and once you were touched, you’d never be the same.

When you’re sitting around listening to Logie sing or listening to him regale you with a story from his colorful past, boundaries just fell away, and everyone was the same; enjoying good music, good food, an interesting ass story and most likely a drink to go along with.

I knew Logie for scarcely five years, and the impact that he had on my family and my life has been momentous.

Never have I been so struck by how one person can unify people than I was at the benefit held in his honor this past weekend.

As I sat in the corner of this large ball room, I watched as people young and old, family, friends and strangers, black and white came together to listen to the music Logie sung; listen to the stories that Logie told and raise money for his son’s that he involuntarily left behind.

The goodness of people can unite us.

I can’t say it any simpler than that.

When someone wants good for you, or does something good for you, gratitude and paying it forward unites us.

It is so easy to pay ill treatment forward.

They fucked me over so I’m going to fuck over everyone in my path.

This individual cheated on me and broke my heart, so I will destroy the heart of any potential suitor, because I am just so broken inside.

In Logie’s final years, he received some of the worse treatment by those who meant so much to him, but even that withstanding, he did not take his strife out on those around him. Instead he opted to lift up friends and strangers alike.

That is a hard way to be. It’s hard to still be good, even while being treated so poorly, but it’s something to aspire to.

My life partner, Sedrik Cannady aspires to it. He always has, even before meeting Logie. He reaches out to those who are in need to offer advice and understanding to those who may not receive it anywhere else.

Accepting of those who would normally go unaccepted.

Offering a helping hand despite so-called boundaries.

This altruism has not always brought him the gratitude that I feel he deserves, but he despite his best efforts to close himself off, to protect himself from the ill treatment he has received, when someone needs help, he wants to help.

That’s how he is.

That’s how Logie was.

And it’s what we should all aspire to be.

Give, even if you get nothing in return. That’s the best way to save all of us.

It’s sad how the best of us perishes, while the worst of us lives and thrives. They persist, continuing to spread their venom and appealing to the worst in us.

I challenge everyone and myself, to appeal to the best in us. Let’s lift each other up in words and deed.

Aspire to be better.

That way the ones that are with us can see the good of the work, and the ones we have lost will not have lived in vain.