You're still here...

You never know how your random acts of kindness will affect people. A simple gesture can become an instrument of building a bridge from isolation to acceptance. Or kind words to a stranger can motivate someone to change the world for better. For me, I had the first of the two thanks to two very special people who I met upon my permanent return to Florida. Damarius "D-Man" Collins and Anwar Lett probably will never know how much there kindness meant to me but if I could tell them thank you, I would. It's bad enough I was 5th grader trapped in an 9th grader's body and extra tall for my age, but to top it off I spoke with a serious west coast accent that for some strange reason was interpreted as "talking white" because that same accent came along with what we like to call "speaking proper." None the less, the first time I stepped out on the practice field for A & G no one would talk to me. Not even the guys from my class. But everyday D-Man went out of his way to jog with me, stretch with me, talk with me so I could understand this game I never played before called football. Since he was the quarterback he explained the terminology on both sides because I played both ways the entire season starting at defensive end and tight end. Anyway, I went on to be Defensive MVP but what we shared as friends went beyond football. Even through middle school when all of the guys from our crew went to regular middle school and I went to accelerated middle school, D-Man was one of the few who didn't turn their noses up at me, and when we got to high school together, nothing had changed. I always admired his service to the community as well. Every Saturday during baseball season D-Man walked to the ballpark and cut all of the kids hair for free. However, one Saturday in late Spring of 1995 he had a choice to make. After running across the street to grab a bite to eat from the corner store he turned to see his little brother who was a heavy set kid in the path of a speeding car. He dropped everything ran back out into the street and pushed his little brother out of the way. Unfortunately D-Man didn't make it. I remember riding my bike on the way to the park with a couple of my friends and being stopped and being told what had happened. The newspaper later confirmed the rumors that day. The driver was drunk and was doing nearly 80 in a 35. Before we could get home to have our parents take us to the hospital to see him. D-Man had passed on to a better place. I always heard these two things about his passing. One, to save his life they would have had to amputate both of his legs. If that was the case it would have been better for him to go because he loved to run around all the time and had just found out he was the projected starter on varsity at cornerback. The second rumor was, while his family was in shock and crying, with his last few breaths he was trying to calm his mother and family down. I heard he was saying "Mama it's ok. I'm gonna be alright." Even then he was a selfless individual, always giving back, always there to lend a hand. I still miss my homie to this day. At graduation I couldn't help but to think about him. He was my friend. I know he is physically gone but he is still here.

Just like my man my mellow Anwar Lett. If D-Man was my homeboy, Anwar was my big brother. He lived right down the street when I moved to East Hill. Even though he was older, he always looked out for me. When I got to that accelerated middle school, no one bothered me accept a couple of his knuckle head friends but they were cool to me for the most part too. The cool thing about it was, when my cousin Na-Na wasn't around he watched out for me. So when I got to high school, it was no different. I use to walk a lot but if he ever passed me on the street in his car he always turned around and asked me if I needed a ride. It didn't matter which way I was going either. He was even the one that kept me from getting beat up at school during freshmen beat up week. Even though later on he sent some guys to hassle some of us at the park as a joke. I'll never forget that, we were scared to death. lol. Anyway, he was my big homie. He is the reason why I look out for the little guys now, give them a little guidance. Anyway, before a game one Saturday night I was informed that on his way back from Tallahassee he fell asleep behind the wheel. He didn't make it. I took both passings hard, but not even death could take away our friendship or the respect I have for both of them. They may not be here physically but you're still here.