Several months ago my uncle and I were having a conversation about the hardships, and struggles of life he was dealing with. Ever since I was young, my uncle has been a jack of all trades, he is very good working with hands from building homes to remolding homes, a mechanic, landscaping, an independent man, his own boss, I have always my admired my uncle, I consider him my favorite uncle.
Unfortunately, about year or two ago my uncle had to undergo back surgery. As a result of his surgery, he is at this time unable to work in his craft. During our conversation, he was discussing, this is the worst situation that he is currently facing. Not being able to work, not having any source of income, only a small penance of one hundred dollars in food stamps per month. Barley enough gas, food, difficult to meet monthly expenses. His wife lost her job in the pharmaceutical industry after twelve years.
My uncle began to say: I may not have, no money, no job, no food, no home, but I have my liver, my heart, my mind, my kidneys, my skin, I got life. I responded, that is one of Nina Simone songs, Ain’t got Now, I Got life. My uncle went on to say, I may not have nothing but I got life!
Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters, some of you may be facing life’s most depressing vicissitudes as this time. Struggling with school and work, personal matters, financial matters, mental health issues, aging parents, facing jobs lost, failing or dropping out of class because you can’t keep it. Maybe some of you have been discriminated against because: of your ethnic identity, gay and lesbian, being African American. Whatever difficult situations you are currently facing in life. You may feel as though you Ain’t Got Now, you have life!
-Brother Herb
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