we need to reimagine a place and now lives where communities mean something
lives where communities mean something
lives where communities mean something sometimes it takes an encounter with a
sometimes it takes an encounter with a
sometimes it takes an encounter with a little old man or losing the love of
little old man or losing the love of
little old man or losing the love of your life to help you do just that at
your life to help you do just that at
your life to help you do just that at times we’re all going to fall that’s
times we’re all going to fall that’s
times we’re all going to fall that’s life when you get up that’s life
life when you get up that’s life
life when you get up that’s life reimagines I have to say this and I
reimagines I have to say this and I
reimagines I have to say this and I always say it but anytime I get a
always say it but anytime I get a
always say it but anytime I get a reception that warm I feel like I need
reception that warm I feel like I need
reception that warm I feel like I need to let everybody know Will Smith is not
to let everybody know Will Smith is not
to let everybody know Will Smith is not coming this is good as this go good
coming this is good as this go good
coming this is good as this go good right here I will also share with you
right here I will also share with you
right here I will also share with you that was a pretty crazy time in my life
that was a pretty crazy time in my life
that was a pretty crazy time in my life when they started talking about the
when they started talking about the
when they started talking about the biggest movie star in the world playing
biggest movie star in the world playing
biggest movie star in the world playing you in this next film your life changes
you in this next film your life changes
you in this next film your life changes I mean any time I see any piece of that
I mean any time I see any piece of that
I mean any time I see any piece of that film I have the exact same thought those
film I have the exact same thought those
film I have the exact same thought those people spent 70 million dollars to
people spent 70 million dollars to
people spent 70 million dollars to recreate what I did with nothing
the second thought is that change can be
the second thought is that change can be pretty jarring and pretty strange like
pretty jarring and pretty strange like
pretty jarring and pretty strange like the time around I did that first
the time around I did that first
the time around I did that first interview with Barbara Walters I had to
interview with Barbara Walters I had to
interview with Barbara Walters I had to agree to do something I now know I would
agree to do something I now know I would
agree to do something I now know I would never do again I had to agree to let
never do again I had to agree to let
never do again I had to agree to let people follow me with television cameras
people follow me with television cameras
people follow me with television cameras for three days from New York to Chicago
for three days from New York to Chicago
for three days from New York to Chicago to San Francisco that’s a lot of tape
to San Francisco that’s a lot of tape
to San Francisco that’s a lot of tape right then they cut it down to 17
right then they cut it down to 17
right then they cut it down to 17 minutes and it’s something about Barbara
minutes and it’s something about Barbara
minutes and it’s something about Barbara Walters see and your first and last name
Walters see and your first and last name
Walters see and your first and last name and you don’t know what she’s gonna say
and you don’t know what she’s gonna say
and you don’t know what she’s gonna say next that make you pay attention I like
next that make you pay attention I like
next that make you pay attention I like the time all the people in Hollywood was
the time all the people in Hollywood was
the time all the people in Hollywood was suddenly interested in this guy calls me
suddenly interested in this guy calls me
suddenly interested in this guy calls me he’s got this great idea for a reality
he’s got this great idea for a reality
he’s got this great idea for a reality TV show he thinks he wants to create a
TV show he thinks he wants to create a
TV show he thinks he wants to create a reality TV show based on homeless people
reality TV show based on homeless people
reality TV show based on homeless people most me to be the judge
most me to be the judge
most me to be the judge let’s go take some almost people off the
let’s go take some almost people off the
let’s go take some almost people off the street clean them up give them a job and
street clean them up give them a job and
street clean them up give them a job and the one that goes on to do the most with
the one that goes on to do the most with
the one that goes on to do the most with their life is going to get a half a
their life is going to get a half a
their life is going to get a half a million dollar house a hundred thousand
million dollar house a hundred thousand
million dollar house a hundred thousand dollars in cash and all this other great
dollars in cash and all this other great
dollars in cash and all this other great stuff put up by sponsors you know what I
stuff put up by sponsors you know what I
stuff put up by sponsors you know what I told him
told him
told him homelessness is not a game but if you
homelessness is not a game but if you
homelessness is not a game but if you think it is already once will send me my
think it is already once will send me my
think it is already once will send me my money never heard from him again
money never heard from him again
money never heard from him again I like this other time I’m in Los
I like this other time I’m in Los
I like this other time I’m in Los Angeles I’m meeting with all these guys
Angeles I’m meeting with all these guys
Angeles I’m meeting with all these guys they’re talking to me about making the
they’re talking to me about making the
they’re talking to me about making the movie we meet these three guys Steve
movie we meet these three guys Steve
movie we meet these three guys Steve Tisch Todd black Jason Blumenthal and
Tisch Todd black Jason Blumenthal and
Tisch Todd black Jason Blumenthal and I’m not believing any of this stuff we
I’m not believing any of this stuff we
I’m not believing any of this stuff we sit down with these guys and one of the
sit down with these guys and one of the
sit down with these guys and one of the guys asked me a question it was Steve
guys asked me a question it was Steve
guys asked me a question it was Steve Tisch and he says to me I understand you
Tisch and he says to me I understand you
Tisch and he says to me I understand you said no to being on the biggest TV show
said no to being on the biggest TV show
said no to being on the biggest TV show in the world
in the world
in the world why would you do that I couldn’t think
why would you do that I couldn’t think
why would you do that I couldn’t think of another way to answer so I leaned
of another way to answer so I leaned
of another way to answer so I leaned into the guy and I asked you mom you
into the guy and I asked you mom you
into the guy and I asked you mom you ever see that movie Forrest Gump and the
ever see that movie Forrest Gump and the
ever see that movie Forrest Gump and the guy says yeah
guy says yeah
guy says yeah well there was a scene in the film where
well there was a scene in the film where
well there was a scene in the film where Forrest stumbles into an anti-war rally
Forrest stumbles into an anti-war rally
Forrest stumbles into an anti-war rally they want him to speak out against the
they want him to speak out against the
they want him to speak out against the Vietnam War but somebody pulled the plug
Vietnam War but somebody pulled the plug
Vietnam War but somebody pulled the plug when they ejected back up would you
when they ejected back up would you
when they ejected back up would you heard for us say yes that’s all I got to
heard for us say yes that’s all I got to
heard for us say yes that’s all I got to say about that
say about that
say about that wrap the meeting up get in the elevator
wrap the meeting up get in the elevator
wrap the meeting up get in the elevator the guy who has set the meeting up looks
the guy who has set the meeting up looks
the guy who has set the meeting up looks at me says Chris by the way Steve Tisch
at me says Chris by the way Steve Tisch
at me says Chris by the way Steve Tisch produced for his gum hey I did know I
produced for his gum hey I did know I
produced for his gum hey I did know I think about that for a second Forrest
think about that for a second Forrest
think about that for a second Forrest Gump won six Oscars was the third
Gump won six Oscars was the third
Gump won six Oscars was the third highest-grossing film in history
highest-grossing film in history
highest-grossing film in history and I’m asking a man had he seen his own
and I’m asking a man had he seen his own
and I’m asking a man had he seen his own movie
they today that’s what got the deal done
they today that’s what got the deal done they knew this boys the last okie from
they knew this boys the last okie from
they knew this boys the last okie from Muskogee he got no idea as Gerry and
Muskogee he got no idea as Gerry and
Muskogee he got no idea as Gerry and strangers change can be there were times
strangers change can be there were times
strangers change can be there were times when it was hard to imagine that my life
when it was hard to imagine that my life
when it was hard to imagine that my life would be what it is today
would be what it is today
would be what it is today especially the time when my son and I
especially the time when my son and I
especially the time when my son and I were living in that bathroom maybe
were living in that bathroom maybe
were living in that bathroom maybe remember that scene in the movie there
remember that scene in the movie there
remember that scene in the movie there was a highly polished sheet metal piece
was a highly polished sheet metal piece
was a highly polished sheet metal piece over a sink it wasn’t a mirror but it
over a sink it wasn’t a mirror but it
over a sink it wasn’t a mirror but it served as a mirror and I had to wash
served as a mirror and I had to wash
served as a mirror and I had to wash myself in that baby every day watch my
myself in that baby every day watch my
myself in that baby every day watch my baby in this sink and I had to ask
baby in this sink and I had to ask
baby in this sink and I had to ask myself some very predictable questions
myself some very predictable questions
myself some very predictable questions what happened why did this happen why
what happened why did this happen why
what happened why did this happen why did that happen but the most difficult
did that happen but the most difficult
did that happen but the most difficult question I had to get through was how
question I had to get through was how
question I had to get through was how did I get here and the answer was even
did I get here and the answer was even
did I get here and the answer was even more brutal the answer was I drove here
more brutal the answer was I drove here
more brutal the answer was I drove here I had something to do with it you can’t
I had something to do with it you can’t
I had something to do with it you can’t change something until you own it
change something until you own it
change something until you own it so if you’re 50 plus and you’re sitting
so if you’re 50 plus and you’re sitting
so if you’re 50 plus and you’re sitting out there and pointing fingers at other
out there and pointing fingers at other
out there and pointing fingers at other people you can do that for a long time
people you can do that for a long time
people you can do that for a long time but it’s hard to look in the mirror and
but it’s hard to look in the mirror and
but it’s hard to look in the mirror and say how did I get here and have the
say how did I get here and have the
say how did I get here and have the answer be I drove here I had something
answer be I drove here I had something
answer be I drove here I had something to do with it it’s uncomfortable to
to do with it it’s uncomfortable to
to do with it it’s uncomfortable to admit that well I made some bad
admit that well I made some bad
admit that well I made some bad decisions I made some investments I
decisions I made some investments I
decisions I made some investments I shouldn’t have made I had something to
shouldn’t have made I had something to
shouldn’t have made I had something to do with it when that man sold me that
do with it when that man sold me that
do with it when that man sold me that house with no money down I should have
house with no money down I should have
house with no money down I should have told him what he could do at that house
told him what he could do at that house
told him what he could do at that house huh when I signed that adjustable-rate
huh when I signed that adjustable-rate
huh when I signed that adjustable-rate mortgage we all know these things only
mortgage we all know these things only
mortgage we all know these things only adjust upwards
adjust upwards
adjust upwards no one’s ever gonna call you and say
no one’s ever gonna call you and say
no one’s ever gonna call you and say guess what you go pay less for your
guess what you go pay less for your
guess what you go pay less for your money your house next year
money your house next year
money your house next year angle happen so the idea of I drove here
angle happen so the idea of I drove here
angle happen so the idea of I drove here is empowering because the other side of
is empowering because the other side of
is empowering because the other side of it is if I drove here that means I can
it is if I drove here that means I can
it is if I drove here that means I can drive out of here
drive out of here
drive out of here I have to own it in that bathroom I
I have to own it in that bathroom I
I have to own it in that bathroom I finally had to understand what my mama
finally had to understand what my mama
finally had to understand what my mama used to say to me what she would say boy
used to say to me what she would say boy
used to say to me what she would say boy to Calvary is not coming
to Calvary is not coming
to Calvary is not coming ain’t no backup I was 28 years old when
ain’t no backup I was 28 years old when
ain’t no backup I was 28 years old when that part of my life happened change was
that part of my life happened change was
that part of my life happened change was coming fast and you know what changes
coming fast and you know what changes
coming fast and you know what changes everywhere all the time social change
everywhere all the time social change
everywhere all the time social change technical logical change and the most
technical logical change and the most
technical logical change and the most potent of all personal change the most
potent of all personal change the most
potent of all personal change the most urgent question today is not so much as
urgent question today is not so much as
urgent question today is not so much as one of my values and who are we the
one of my values and who are we the
one of my values and who are we the urgent question on these times of
urgent question on these times of
urgent question on these times of constant changes how exactly are you
constant changes how exactly are you
constant changes how exactly are you going to navigate these new realities
going to navigate these new realities
going to navigate these new realities put another way
put another way
put another way what are you going to do the answer is
what are you going to do the answer is
what are you going to do the answer is reimagine life some time ago my friend
reimagine life some time ago my friend
reimagine life some time ago my friend Barry Rand said about change that it is
Barry Rand said about change that it is
Barry Rand said about change that it is shifting power away from largest to
shifting power away from largest to
shifting power away from largest to touches and towards individuals this is
touches and towards individuals this is
touches and towards individuals this is having a profound effect on 50-plus
having a profound effect on 50-plus
having a profound effect on 50-plus Americans who are busy creating a new
Americans who are busy creating a new
Americans who are busy creating a new more vital paradigm for the second half
more vital paradigm for the second half
more vital paradigm for the second half of their life for them for us at 50-plus
of their life for them for us at 50-plus
of their life for them for us at 50-plus we’re looking at for chess to grow in
we’re looking at for chess to grow in
we’re looking at for chess to grow in new and rewarding ways they’re not
new and rewarding ways they’re not
new and rewarding ways they’re not looking to replicate the first half of
looking to replicate the first half of
looking to replicate the first half of their lives
their lives
their lives norther they want to sit back and just
norther they want to sit back and just
norther they want to sit back and just slowly slowly fade into the night
slowly slowly fade into the night
slowly slowly fade into the night they’re looking to reimagine the
they’re looking to reimagine the
they’re looking to reimagine the fifty-plus experience and make it true
fifty-plus experience and make it true
fifty-plus experience and make it true to who they really are at 50-plus all of
to who they really are at 50-plus all of
to who they really are at 50-plus all of us have been down some of the same roads
us have been down some of the same roads
us have been down some of the same roads maybe in different places and different
maybe in different places and different
maybe in different places and different paces and with different expectations
paces and with different expectations
paces and with different expectations and all of us have had to reimagine our
and all of us have had to reimagine our
and all of us have had to reimagine our lives and times whether we wanted to or
lives and times whether we wanted to or
lives and times whether we wanted to or not and you know what I had been that
not and you know what I had been that
not and you know what I had been that the most radical personal changes we’ve
the most radical personal changes we’ve
the most radical personal changes we’ve made in our lives weren’t triggered by
made in our lives weren’t triggered by
made in our lives weren’t triggered by our ideas they were triggered by life
our ideas they were triggered by life
our ideas they were triggered by life happening
someday you’re gonna lose someone that
someday you’re gonna lose someone that you love and you gonna have to reimagine
you love and you gonna have to reimagine
you love and you gonna have to reimagine your whole life and let me tell you
your whole life and let me tell you
your whole life and let me tell you something
something
something well nothing make you reimagine life
well nothing make you reimagine life
well nothing make you reimagine life like the loss of a loved one unless
like the loss of a loved one unless
like the loss of a loved one unless you’ve been there ain’t nobody can
you’ve been there ain’t nobody can
you’ve been there ain’t nobody can prepare you to understand
prepare you to understand
prepare you to understand how totally your life is gonna change
how totally your life is gonna change
how totally your life is gonna change today unfortunately I could say I’ve
today unfortunately I could say I’ve
today unfortunately I could say I’ve been there the only way to start us from
been there the only way to start us from
been there the only way to start us from the beginning and the beginning for me
the beginning and the beginning for me
the beginning and the beginning for me was this past July when I lost my best
was this past July when I lost my best
was this past July when I lost my best friend my soul mate and the love of my
friend my soul mate and the love of my
friend my soul mate and the love of my life to brain cancer Holly and I had
life to brain cancer Holly and I had
life to brain cancer Holly and I had been together for 20 years
been together for 20 years
been together for 20 years hold up I just heard her voice and she
hold up I just heard her voice and she
hold up I just heard her voice and she says no it was not 20 or was 19 years
says no it was not 20 or was 19 years
says no it was not 20 or was 19 years because she had one year off a bad
because she had one year off a bad
because she had one year off a bad behavior okay hey things happen all
behavior okay hey things happen all
behavior okay hey things happen all right okay Holly and I did everything
right okay Holly and I did everything
right okay Holly and I did everything backwards to my recollection we were a
backwards to my recollection we were a
backwards to my recollection we were a couple for 12 years lived together for
couple for 12 years lived together for
couple for 12 years lived together for seven years and then decided to get
seven years and then decided to get
seven years and then decided to get married I will never forget today I had
married I will never forget today I had
married I will never forget today I had to call Holly’s dad and ask for
to call Holly’s dad and ask for
to call Holly’s dad and ask for permission to marry his daughter
permission to marry his daughter
permission to marry his daughter I’m not old old but I am old-fashioned
I’m not old old but I am old-fashioned
I’m not old old but I am old-fashioned and Holly had never been married and her
and Holly had never been married and her
and Holly had never been married and her dad said to me son I’ve been waiting on
dad said to me son I’ve been waiting on
dad said to me son I’ve been waiting on this call for 55 years you have my
this call for 55 years you have my
this call for 55 years you have my permission
despite being sick holly arranged to
despite being sick holly arranged to have a amassed dedicated to her parents
have a amassed dedicated to her parents
have a amassed dedicated to her parents where they renewed their of their vows
where they renewed their of their vows
where they renewed their of their vows after 70 years of marriage can you
after 70 years of marriage can you
after 70 years of marriage can you imagine that 70 years let me tell you
imagine that 70 years let me tell you
imagine that 70 years let me tell you some power level and when the priest
some power level and when the priest
some power level and when the priest asked them did they want to renew their
asked them did they want to renew their
asked them did they want to renew their vows you could hear a pin drop in that
vows you could hear a pin drop in that
vows you could hear a pin drop in that church
church
church and the precess ad you may now kiss your
and the precess ad you may now kiss your
and the precess ad you may now kiss your bride
bride
bride man the folks went at each other like
man the folks went at each other like
man the folks went at each other like teenagers on prom night I was like man
teenagers on prom night I was like man
teenagers on prom night I was like man y’all need to get a room
Holly’s illness began four years ago I
Holly’s illness began four years ago I just returned from a business trip we
just returned from a business trip we
just returned from a business trip we had dinner like we normally do with a
had dinner like we normally do with a
had dinner like we normally do with a bed about 10 o’clock the next morning we
bed about 10 o’clock the next morning we
bed about 10 o’clock the next morning we woke up and she says to me I’m losing my
woke up and she says to me I’m losing my
woke up and she says to me I’m losing my vision and I heard her as clear as day
vision and I heard her as clear as day
vision and I heard her as clear as day but I didn’t know what she meant and I’m
but I didn’t know what she meant and I’m
but I didn’t know what she meant and I’m sitting on the edge of the bed trying to
sitting on the edge of the bed trying to
sitting on the edge of the bed trying to figure out and I started with a bunch of
figure out and I started with a bunch of
figure out and I started with a bunch of pushes that help me just catch my breath
pushes that help me just catch my breath
pushes that help me just catch my breath but what does that mean losing your
but what does that mean losing your
but what does that mean losing your vision as if fuzzy is it blurry but
vision as if fuzzy is it blurry but
vision as if fuzzy is it blurry but there was something about the way she
there was something about the way she
there was something about the way she said it something and how it felt that
said it something and how it felt that
said it something and how it felt that let me know whoa
let me know whoa
let me know whoa this is serious then a few more
this is serious then a few more
this is serious then a few more questions down on me hey wait a minute
questions down on me hey wait a minute
questions down on me hey wait a minute you just drove to Arkansas and back
you just drove to Arkansas and back
you just drove to Arkansas and back knowing that you could not see don’t you
knowing that you could not see don’t you
knowing that you could not see don’t you know I would I not have let you take
know I would I not have let you take
know I would I not have let you take that trip if I knew yeah I know that’s
that trip if I knew yeah I know that’s
that trip if I knew yeah I know that’s why I didn’t tell you the questions I
why I didn’t tell you the questions I
why I didn’t tell you the questions I was asking were meaningless now I have a
was asking were meaningless now I have a
was asking were meaningless now I have a manageable my condition is called blow
manageable my condition is called blow
manageable my condition is called blow coma some of you might have it too
coma some of you might have it too
coma some of you might have it too 20 years ago I found one of the premier
20 years ago I found one of the premier
20 years ago I found one of the premier glaucoma specialist in the world dr. Ted
glaucoma specialist in the world dr. Ted
glaucoma specialist in the world dr. Ted Cooper who lives in Chicago where I live
Cooper who lives in Chicago where I live
Cooper who lives in Chicago where I live he still taking care of me now now as we
he still taking care of me now now as we
he still taking care of me now now as we all know getting in to see your doctor
all know getting in to see your doctor
all know getting in to see your doctor when you want to which is usually right
when you want to which is usually right
when you want to which is usually right now doesn’t always happen
now doesn’t always happen
now doesn’t always happen but dr. Krupa says get in here we go in
but dr. Krupa says get in here we go in
but dr. Krupa says get in here we go in the same day later that day I get the
the same day later that day I get the
the same day later that day I get the cold I get the call that nobody ever
cold I get the call that nobody ever
cold I get the call that nobody ever wants to get when your doctor will you
wants to get when your doctor will you
wants to get when your doctor will you trust has between you for 20 years calls
trust has between you for 20 years calls
trust has between you for 20 years calls you up and ask are you sitting down
that’s the call that kind of gifts their
that’s the call that kind of gifts their life we imagine wheel spinning before
life we imagine wheel spinning before
life we imagine wheel spinning before you know herself our lives were about to
you know herself our lives were about to
you know herself our lives were about to change forever I was sitting down but I
change forever I was sitting down but I
change forever I was sitting down but I was driving pull over and stop the car
was driving pull over and stop the car
was driving pull over and stop the car dr. cruler says we need to get further
dr. cruler says we need to get further
dr. cruler says we need to get further tests immediately
tests immediately
tests immediately specialists need to be consulted
specialists need to be consulted
specialists need to be consulted immediately all right here we go
immediately all right here we go
immediately all right here we go Colin I did something that we both know
Colin I did something that we both know
Colin I did something that we both know couldn’t be done by most folks we
couldn’t be done by most folks we
couldn’t be done by most folks we understood that we were blessed to be in
understood that we were blessed to be in
understood that we were blessed to be in the position that we were in but all I
the position that we were in but all I
the position that we were in but all I want to know is who is the best who is
want to know is who is the best who is
want to know is who is the best who is the best in the business not the best in
the best in the business not the best in
the best in the business not the best in Chicago not the best available but the
Chicago not the best available but the
Chicago not the best available but the best in the world
best in the world
best in the world unlike a lot of folks when I need to
unlike a lot of folks when I need to
unlike a lot of folks when I need to know something I do not go to the
know something I do not go to the
know something I do not go to the internet
internet
internet I don’t Google nothing I call people I
I don’t Google nothing I call people I
I don’t Google nothing I call people I call people that I know trust and
call people that I know trust and
call people that I know trust and respect and all I want to know at this
respect and all I want to know at this
respect and all I want to know at this moment is who is the best but before I
moment is who is the best but before I
moment is who is the best but before I called anybody I got to tell you
called anybody I got to tell you
called anybody I got to tell you I got down on my knees and I called my
I got down on my knees and I called my
I got down on my knees and I called my doctor hmm and I’ll pray oh man let me
doctor hmm and I’ll pray oh man let me
doctor hmm and I’ll pray oh man let me tell you something I say at the same
tell you something I say at the same
tell you something I say at the same prayer every day for four years Lord if
prayer every day for four years Lord if
prayer every day for four years Lord if you would just let this woman touch the
you would just let this woman touch the
you would just let this woman touch the hem of your garment I know she’ll be all
hem of your garment I know she’ll be all
hem of your garment I know she’ll be all right the first thing we need is a CT
right the first thing we need is a CT
right the first thing we need is a CT scanner and a MRI and then you need a
scanner and a MRI and then you need a
scanner and a MRI and then you need a biopsy now who is the best in the world
biopsy now who is the best in the world
biopsy now who is the best in the world that’s brain surgery who’s the best this
that’s brain surgery who’s the best this
that’s brain surgery who’s the best this one guy’s name kept coming up dr. James
one guy’s name kept coming up dr. James
one guy’s name kept coming up dr. James Chandler at Northwestern University
Chandler at Northwestern University
Chandler at Northwestern University Hospital at Chicago we got to get a
Hospital at Chicago we got to get a
Hospital at Chicago we got to get a biopsy we got to find out the nature of
biopsy we got to find out the nature of
biopsy we got to find out the nature of the tumor the growth in Holly’s brain
the tumor the growth in Holly’s brain
the tumor the growth in Holly’s brain now what we did know was this thing had
now what we did know was this thing had
now what we did know was this thing had grown in such a way that it was putting
grown in such a way that it was putting
grown in such a way that it was putting so much pressure on her optic nerves it
so much pressure on her optic nerves it
so much pressure on her optic nerves it was taking her vision to the point where
was taking her vision to the point where
was taking her vision to the point where eventually she’ll lose all sight in one
eventually she’ll lose all sight in one
eventually she’ll lose all sight in one eye and half the sight in the other eye
eye and half the sight in the other eye
eye and half the sight in the other eye so let’s go who’s the best man we walk
so let’s go who’s the best man we walk
so let’s go who’s the best man we walk into this room at Northwestern
into this room at Northwestern
into this room at Northwestern University and this young
University and this young
University and this young african-american gentleman walked in and
african-american gentleman walked in and
african-american gentleman walked in and stuck out his hand and said hi I’m James
stuck out his hand and said hi I’m James
stuck out his hand and said hi I’m James Chandler I turned to Holly and I said
Chandler I turned to Holly and I said
Chandler I turned to Holly and I said baby that’s a sign from God we go be
baby that’s a sign from God we go be
baby that’s a sign from God we go be okay because you do not get to be the
okay because you do not get to be the
okay because you do not get to be the head of brain surgery at Northwestern
head of brain surgery at Northwestern
head of brain surgery at Northwestern University as an affirmative action
University as an affirmative action
University as an affirmative action position
position
position ah you’ve been the smartest guy in the
ah you’ve been the smartest guy in the
ah you’ve been the smartest guy in the room for a long time we do the procedure
room for a long time we do the procedure
room for a long time we do the procedure stage 2 inoperable tumor we do more
stage 2 inoperable tumor we do more
stage 2 inoperable tumor we do more research we learn we can’t have
research we learn we can’t have
research we learn we can’t have radiation because the radiation beings
radiation because the radiation beings
radiation because the radiation beings would destroy the good cells and the bad
would destroy the good cells and the bad
would destroy the good cells and the bad cells but it turns out there’s something
cells but it turns out there’s something
cells but it turns out there’s something called proton radiation not only five
called proton radiation not only five
called proton radiation not only five places in the country offering Boston
places in the country offering Boston
places in the country offering Boston Oklahoma Miami Houston and Bloomington
Oklahoma Miami Houston and Bloomington
Oklahoma Miami Houston and Bloomington Indiana and it’s funny how God works
Indiana and it’s funny how God works
Indiana and it’s funny how God works sometimes God has this way of creating
sometimes God has this way of creating
sometimes God has this way of creating space and time at this point in my life
space and time at this point in my life
space and time at this point in my life I have been on the road 20 days a month
I have been on the road 20 days a month
I have been on the road 20 days a month every month for the last three years
every month for the last three years
every month for the last three years speaking engagements business
speaking engagements business
speaking engagements business presentations just doing my day job but
presentations just doing my day job but
presentations just doing my day job but somehow for the next six weeks I got no
somehow for the next six weeks I got no
somehow for the next six weeks I got no appointments I got nowhere to go and
appointments I got nowhere to go and
appointments I got nowhere to go and nothing to do that was God’s Way of
nothing to do that was God’s Way of
nothing to do that was God’s Way of saying no I got something else for you
saying no I got something else for you
saying no I got something else for you to do
to do
to do even when we got the diagnosis man I was
even when we got the diagnosis man I was
even when we got the diagnosis man I was in denial partially because of my past I
in denial partially because of my past I
in denial partially because of my past I had overcome every obstacle achieved
had overcome every obstacle achieved
had overcome every obstacle achieved every goal slayed every dragon so my
every goal slayed every dragon so my
every goal slayed every dragon so my position was let’s get to work
position was let’s get to work
position was let’s get to work next time Indiana
next time Indiana
next time Indiana now Holly caches and I remove the
now Holly caches and I remove the
now Holly caches and I remove the Bloomington Indiana caches by the way is
Bloomington Indiana caches by the way is
Bloomington Indiana caches by the way is our son
cash is to be clear is a ten-year-old
cash is to be clear is a ten-year-old boy trapped in the body of a six year
boy trapped in the body of a six year
boy trapped in the body of a six year old doll somebody and you know what I’m
old doll somebody and you know what I’m
old doll somebody and you know what I’m talking about
talking about
talking about whoo man we start the radiation now I
whoo man we start the radiation now I
whoo man we start the radiation now I don’t know anything about this but I’m
don’t know anything about this but I’m
don’t know anything about this but I’m having to learn everything real fast I’m
having to learn everything real fast I’m
having to learn everything real fast I’m scared but I can’t let Holly no I’m
scared but I can’t let Holly no I’m
scared but I can’t let Holly no I’m scared
scared
scared how does proton radiation work what
how does proton radiation work what
how does proton radiation work what changes should we expect for the
changes should we expect for the
changes should we expect for the possible side-effects you know my first
possible side-effects you know my first
possible side-effects you know my first reaction was that we’re going to
reaction was that we’re going to
reaction was that we’re going to continue living our normal lives and
continue living our normal lives and
continue living our normal lives and that included good food and working out
that included good food and working out
that included good food and working out so baby we got to keep our strength up
so baby we got to keep our strength up
so baby we got to keep our strength up all right we ought to keep our strength
all right we ought to keep our strength
all right we ought to keep our strength up for this fight we will eat and
up for this fight we will eat and
up for this fight we will eat and workout every day I was concerned about
workout every day I was concerned about
workout every day I was concerned about her losing weight and becoming weaker
her losing weight and becoming weaker
her losing weight and becoming weaker because of the treatments eat work out
because of the treatments eat work out
because of the treatments eat work out everyday found a great gym that’s what
everyday found a great gym that’s what
everyday found a great gym that’s what we do eat and workout moved into a
we do eat and workout moved into a
we do eat and workout moved into a Marriott extended stay and it turns out
Marriott extended stay and it turns out
Marriott extended stay and it turns out right across the street from the
right across the street from the
right across the street from the Marriott is a Golden Corral man I don’t
Marriott is a Golden Corral man I don’t
Marriott is a Golden Corral man I don’t need to say another word do it huh all
need to say another word do it huh all
need to say another word do it huh all you can eat for 695 all-you-can-eat she
you can eat for 695 all-you-can-eat she
you can eat for 695 all-you-can-eat she does not lose a pound I gained 20
does not lose a pound I gained 20
does not lose a pound I gained 20 now we’ve been told that it’s going to
now we’ve been told that it’s going to
now we’ve been told that it’s going to be a year to 18 months before we know
be a year to 18 months before we know
be a year to 18 months before we know how effective the treatments in there I
how effective the treatments in there I
how effective the treatments in there I mean the radiation itself calls a
mean the radiation itself calls a
mean the radiation itself calls a swelling so that’s what he’s got to go
swelling so that’s what he’s got to go
swelling so that’s what he’s got to go down first and then we’ll see if there’s
down first and then we’ll see if there’s
down first and then we’ll see if there’s had any impact on the growth and
had any impact on the growth and
had any impact on the growth and possibly hopefully shrinking the tumor
possibly hopefully shrinking the tumor
possibly hopefully shrinking the tumor that’s 12 to 18 months so it was clear
that’s 12 to 18 months so it was clear
that’s 12 to 18 months so it was clear that my life was changed forever
that my life was changed forever
that my life was changed forever dramatically I mean I have finally found
dramatically I mean I have finally found
dramatically I mean I have finally found a job tougher than being a single parent
a job tougher than being a single parent
a job tougher than being a single parent primary caregiver somebody and you know
primary caregiver somebody and you know
primary caregiver somebody and you know what I’m talking about 36% of members of
what I’m talking about 36% of members of
what I’m talking about 36% of members of AARP say they are caregivers and people
AARP say they are caregivers and people
AARP say they are caregivers and people say well well you can get help and uh
say well well you can get help and uh
say well well you can get help and uh let me tell you something ain’t nobody
let me tell you something ain’t nobody
let me tell you something ain’t nobody gonna ever take care of somebody that
gonna ever take care of somebody that
gonna ever take care of somebody that you love like you that ain’t don’t
you love like you that ain’t don’t
you love like you that ain’t don’t happen that angle happen period now one
happen that angle happen period now one
happen that angle happen period now one day while we’re in one of the doctor’s
day while we’re in one of the doctor’s
day while we’re in one of the doctor’s office is and you know people on the
office is and you know people on the
office is and you know people on the cell phone saying they talk so loud you
cell phone saying they talk so loud you
cell phone saying they talk so loud you can overhear everything and this one guy
can overhear everything and this one guy
can overhear everything and this one guy is saying to somebody
is saying to somebody
is saying to somebody well becoming a primary caregiver
well becoming a primary caregiver
well becoming a primary caregiver changes everything in a relationship and
changes everything in a relationship and
changes everything in a relationship and Holly looked at me and she says is that
Holly looked at me and she says is that
Holly looked at me and she says is that true and I said no you don’t know what
true and I said no you don’t know what
true and I said no you don’t know what he’s talking about the truth of the
he’s talking about the truth of the
he’s talking about the truth of the matter is I didn’t know being a primary
matter is I didn’t know being a primary
matter is I didn’t know being a primary caregiver was about learning how to do
caregiver was about learning how to do
caregiver was about learning how to do everything twice
everything twice
everything twice I get up get her up brush my teeth brush
I get up get her up brush my teeth brush
I get up get her up brush my teeth brush our teeth I get dressed get her dressed
our teeth I get dressed get her dressed
our teeth I get dressed get her dressed tie my shoes tie her shoes you do
tie my shoes tie her shoes you do
tie my shoes tie her shoes you do everything twice the other person always
everything twice the other person always
everything twice the other person always come first and being a primary caregiver
come first and being a primary caregiver
come first and being a primary caregiver man I had to learn more about being a
man I had to learn more about being a
man I had to learn more about being a woman than I ever wanted to know what is
woman than I ever wanted to know what is
woman than I ever wanted to know what is this thing with the ear ring whoa whoa
this thing with the ear ring whoa whoa
this thing with the ear ring whoa whoa what is so important that the back of
what is so important that the back of
what is so important that the back of the earring gotta match the front of the
the earring gotta match the front of the
the earring gotta match the front of the ear ring
ear ring
ear ring ain’t nobody go see it anyway you can’t
ain’t nobody go see it anyway you can’t
ain’t nobody go see it anyway you can’t see it but Holly could fill it is she
see it but Holly could fill it is she
see it but Holly could fill it is she saying no that’s not it that’s not it
saying no that’s not it that’s not it
saying no that’s not it that’s not it right I will never forget the time I
right I will never forget the time I
right I will never forget the time I dropped the back of the ear ring into
dropped the back of the ear ring into
dropped the back of the ear ring into the plush pile carpeting of a nice hotel
the plush pile carpeting of a nice hotel
the plush pile carpeting of a nice hotel couldn’t find it now we can’t go
couldn’t find it now we can’t go
couldn’t find it now we can’t go anywhere until I find the back of this
anywhere until I find the back of this
anywhere until I find the back of this ear and I’ll call the concierge at the
ear and I’ll call the concierge at the
ear and I’ll call the concierge at the hotel he sent up half the staff from the
hotel he sent up half the staff from the
hotel he sent up half the staff from the hotel we got down on my hands and knees
hotel we got down on my hands and knees
hotel we got down on my hands and knees crawling looking for the back of this
crawling looking for the back of this
crawling looking for the back of this area and she found it
area and she found it
area and she found it she stepped on it and don’t even get me
she stepped on it and don’t even get me
she stepped on it and don’t even get me started with this thing about putting on
started with this thing about putting on
started with this thing about putting on the bra I hold up my favorite oh you got
the bra I hold up my favorite oh you got
the bra I hold up my favorite oh you got to put the thing on you got to get
to put the thing on you got to get
to put the thing on you got to get everybody situated rockin right then you
everybody situated rockin right then you
everybody situated rockin right then you got to snap the thing in the bag men
got to snap the thing in the bag men
got to snap the thing in the bag men don’t know how to put bras on we know
don’t know how to put bras on we know
don’t know how to put bras on we know how to take them all high I had to learn
how to take them all high I had to learn
how to take them all high I had to learn okay the other person always come first
okay the other person always come first
okay the other person always come first and sometimes only you might not to get
and sometimes only you might not to get
and sometimes only you might not to get to do nothing for you that day I mean I
to do nothing for you that day I mean I
to do nothing for you that day I mean I ran out of the house one day I had to
ran out of the house one day I had to
ran out of the house one day I had to get Holley together get her all squared
get Holley together get her all squared
get Holley together get her all squared or make sure she got everything that you
or make sure she got everything that you
or make sure she got everything that you need I got to get to a big meeting
need I got to get to a big meeting
need I got to get to a big meeting downtown I left the house and didn’t
downtown I left the house and didn’t
downtown I left the house and didn’t know it till I got to my meeting I left
know it till I got to my meeting I left
know it till I got to my meeting I left the house were two different color shoes
the house were two different color shoes
the house were two different color shoes one black one brown one suede one level
one black one brown one suede one level
one black one brown one suede one level one lace-up one loaf of now that means I
one lace-up one loaf of now that means I
one lace-up one loaf of now that means I had a few chances to get that right
had a few chances to get that right
had a few chances to get that right man I didn’t know it until I got in the
man I didn’t know it until I got in the
man I didn’t know it until I got in the meeting I’m sitting there talking to
meeting I’m sitting there talking to
meeting I’m sitting there talking to these people sit back cross my legs and
these people sit back cross my legs and
these people sit back cross my legs and everybody’s looking at my suit didn’t
everybody’s looking at my suit didn’t
everybody’s looking at my suit didn’t matter I got that business anyway
matter I got that business anyway
matter I got that business anyway don’t probably felt like what we
don’t probably felt like what we
don’t probably felt like what we need to get this man some being a
need to get this man some being a
need to get this man some being a primary caregiver you do everything you
primary caregiver you do everything you
primary caregiver you do everything you do with love
do with love
do with love it teaches you all about love and fear
it teaches you all about love and fear
it teaches you all about love and fear now on the outside hey I’m a fearless
now on the outside hey I’m a fearless
now on the outside hey I’m a fearless guy and if you’re an American man over
guy and if you’re an American man over
guy and if you’re an American man over 50 years old
50 years old
50 years old you got some John Wayne in you huh you
you got some John Wayne in you huh you
you got some John Wayne in you huh you got some John Wayne in you that says no
got some John Wayne in you that says no
got some John Wayne in you that says no we got this we got this we got access to
we got this we got this we got access to
we got this we got this we got access to the best minds and science of Medicine
the best minds and science of Medicine
the best minds and science of Medicine we got the insurance we got the reach we
we got the insurance we got the reach we
we got the insurance we got the reach we go be okay on the inside she couldn’t
go be okay on the inside she couldn’t
go be okay on the inside she couldn’t know I was scared too Holly loved to
know I was scared too Holly loved to
know I was scared too Holly loved to read one of the hardest things about
read one of the hardest things about
read one of the hardest things about this challenge that we were facing she
this challenge that we were facing she
this challenge that we were facing she told me was she didn’t feel like she was
told me was she didn’t feel like she was
told me was she didn’t feel like she was getting any smarter because she couldn’t
getting any smarter because she couldn’t
getting any smarter because she couldn’t read like she used to
read like she used to
read like she used to so as a act of love I began to read to
so as a act of love I began to read to
so as a act of love I began to read to her and I say to where I said baby you
her and I say to where I said baby you
her and I say to where I said baby you got to stop saying you only got half an
got to stop saying you only got half an
got to stop saying you only got half an eye the truth of the matter is now you
eye the truth of the matter is now you
eye the truth of the matter is now you got two and a half because I’m giving
got two and a half because I’m giving
got two and a half because I’m giving you both of mine another time we had
you both of mine another time we had
you both of mine another time we had this very painful conversation
psychiatrists social workers doctors
psychiatrists social workers doctors have been telling us that the vast
have been telling us that the vast
have been telling us that the vast majority of people who wind up in these
majority of people who wind up in these
majority of people who wind up in these kinds of cases get divorced they break
kinds of cases get divorced they break
kinds of cases get divorced they break up Holly says to me one day what if I
up Holly says to me one day what if I
up Holly says to me one day what if I lose you
lose you
lose you and I pulled her face to me as close as
and I pulled her face to me as close as
and I pulled her face to me as close as I could so I knew she could see me and I
I could so I knew she could see me and I
I could so I knew she could see me and I asked her I said baby have I missed the
asked her I said baby have I missed the
asked her I said baby have I missed the stuff yet well then I’m not going to and
stuff yet well then I’m not going to and
stuff yet well then I’m not going to and that was the last time we had to deal
that was the last time we had to deal
that was the last time we had to deal with that we had that handle right there
with that we had that handle right there
with that we had that handle right there in the house that was done we can handle
in the house that was done we can handle
in the house that was done we can handle that
that
that you know we didn’t have to go outside
you know we didn’t have to go outside
you know we didn’t have to go outside for that and you get to these faces in
for that and you get to these faces in
for that and you get to these faces in places in your life sometimes and
places in your life sometimes and
places in your life sometimes and sometimes you get to learn some some
sometimes you get to learn some some
sometimes you get to learn some some things about yourself that you always
things about yourself that you always
things about yourself that you always knew but you get to see it demonstrated
knew but you get to see it demonstrated
knew but you get to see it demonstrated my greatest asset and greatest fault as
my greatest asset and greatest fault as
my greatest asset and greatest fault as a person is I am loyal
a person is I am loyal
a person is I am loyal have you been there for me I’m gonna be
have you been there for me I’m gonna be
have you been there for me I’m gonna be there for you I would have been a good
there for you I would have been a good
there for you I would have been a good dog sometimes the most important thing
dog sometimes the most important thing
dog sometimes the most important thing that you can do in your life is exactly
that you can do in your life is exactly
that you can do in your life is exactly that let’s somebody that you love know
that let’s somebody that you love know
that let’s somebody that you love know I’ll be there I don’t know what these
I’ll be there I don’t know what these
I’ll be there I don’t know what these doctors go say I don’t know what this
doctors go say I don’t know what this
doctors go say I don’t know what this MRIs gonna say I don’t know what the CT
MRIs gonna say I don’t know what the CT
MRIs gonna say I don’t know what the CT scans don’t say I don’t know what this
scans don’t say I don’t know what this
scans don’t say I don’t know what this pathologist gonna say but you know I’m
pathologist gonna say but you know I’m
pathologist gonna say but you know I’m gonna be there that’s being a primary
gonna be there that’s being a primary
gonna be there that’s being a primary caregiver that’s life reimagined stage 2
caregiver that’s life reimagined stage 2
caregiver that’s life reimagined stage 2 inoperable 12 to 18 months before we
inoperable 12 to 18 months before we
inoperable 12 to 18 months before we know anything
know anything
know anything Holly starts to fall down to the point
Holly starts to fall down to the point
Holly starts to fall down to the point where she broke the same arm twice in
where she broke the same arm twice in
where she broke the same arm twice in two years first time it was a nice clean
two years first time it was a nice clean
two years first time it was a nice clean break no surgery just put a cast on it
break no surgery just put a cast on it
break no surgery just put a cast on it she’s good to go get on a plane go to
she’s good to go get on a plane go to
she’s good to go get on a plane go to Hawaii on vacation no problem the second
Hawaii on vacation no problem the second
Hawaii on vacation no problem the second time the second time the doctors take a
time the second time the doctors take a
time the second time the doctors take a look at it and say is pulverized you
look at it and say is pulverized you
look at it and say is pulverized you can’t just put a cast on it we had to
can’t just put a cast on it we had to
can’t just put a cast on it we had to put it for titanium pants
put it for titanium pants
put it for titanium pants and Holly live like that the last four
and Holly live like that the last four
and Holly live like that the last four months of her life
months of her life
months of her life Ida changed that dressing on that pin
Ida changed that dressing on that pin
Ida changed that dressing on that pin with an arm twice a day we didn’t know
with an arm twice a day we didn’t know
with an arm twice a day we didn’t know it yet but the tumor had changed there
it yet but the tumor had changed there
it yet but the tumor had changed there was fluid buildup in Holly’s brain and
was fluid buildup in Holly’s brain and
was fluid buildup in Holly’s brain and this is putting pressure on the nerve to
this is putting pressure on the nerve to
this is putting pressure on the nerve to control the left side of her body
control the left side of her body
control the left side of her body so she started losing her balance one
so she started losing her balance one
so she started losing her balance one day I had to pick her up four times
day I had to pick her up four times
day I had to pick her up four times get back in to see a doctor to do
get back in to see a doctor to do
get back in to see a doctor to do another CT scan and the doctor says we
another CT scan and the doctor says we
another CT scan and the doctor says we got to do something here but this fluid
got to do something here but this fluid
got to do something here but this fluid buildup in the brain and we’ve got to
buildup in the brain and we’ve got to
buildup in the brain and we’ve got to drain that fluid off though the pressure
drain that fluid off though the pressure
drain that fluid off though the pressure out of there and drain it into her
out of there and drain it into her
out of there and drain it into her abdomen and that’s going to help with
abdomen and that’s going to help with
abdomen and that’s going to help with the balance but we also we gotta take
the balance but we also we gotta take
the balance but we also we gotta take another biopsy of this brain so now we
another biopsy of this brain so now we
another biopsy of this brain so now we got a stage four to
got a stage four to
got a stage four to we have six weeks people come to Chicago
we have six weeks people come to Chicago
we have six weeks people come to Chicago from all over the world to go to South
from all over the world to go to South
from all over the world to go to South Dakota rehabilitation Rehabilitation
Dakota rehabilitation Rehabilitation
Dakota rehabilitation Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and let me tell you
Institute of Chicago and let me tell you
Institute of Chicago and let me tell you something it has given me a new
something it has given me a new
something it has given me a new perspective of what it means to struggle
perspective of what it means to struggle
perspective of what it means to struggle all the stuff that we dealing with out
all the stuff that we dealing with out
all the stuff that we dealing with out here everyday all this stuff is
here everyday all this stuff is
here everyday all this stuff is negotiable we are all playing some
negotiable we are all playing some
negotiable we are all playing some formal let’s make a deal you trying to
formal let’s make a deal you trying to
formal let’s make a deal you trying to make something happen you trying to get
make something happen you trying to get
make something happen you trying to get something you go get it are you not
something you go get it are you not
something you go get it are you not that’s let’s make a deal but when you
that’s let’s make a deal but when you
that’s let’s make a deal but when you land flat on your back and can’t move
land flat on your back and can’t move
land flat on your back and can’t move nothing but your right foot that’s a
nothing but your right foot that’s a
nothing but your right foot that’s a non-negotiable position stock market
non-negotiable position stock market
non-negotiable position stock market housing market job mock market all that
housing market job mock market all that
housing market job mock market all that stuff out there is negotiable but when
stuff out there is negotiable but when
stuff out there is negotiable but when you see somebody that you love 55 years
you see somebody that you love 55 years
you see somebody that you love 55 years old struggling to try to learn how to
old struggling to try to learn how to
old struggling to try to learn how to walk again trying to learn how to eat
walk again trying to learn how to eat
walk again trying to learn how to eat with a fork again that’s non-negotiable
with a fork again that’s non-negotiable
with a fork again that’s non-negotiable had to go to New York major business
had to go to New York major business
had to go to New York major business couldn’t reschedule had to do it got to
couldn’t reschedule had to do it got to
couldn’t reschedule had to do it got to keep it how is in the rehab center and
keep it how is in the rehab center and
keep it how is in the rehab center and she knows that ain’t doing too good
she knows that ain’t doing too good
she knows that ain’t doing too good right now I’m struggling and I know we
right now I’m struggling and I know we
right now I’m struggling and I know we got one arrow in the quiver Kimo and her
got one arrow in the quiver Kimo and her
got one arrow in the quiver Kimo and her age group 55 years of age with Kimo you
age group 55 years of age with Kimo you
age group 55 years of age with Kimo you got 14 months left
got 14 months left
got 14 months left and that is no discussion on quality of
and that is no discussion on quality of
and that is no discussion on quality of life some struggling with this at this
life some struggling with this at this
life some struggling with this at this major speaking engagement got to keep it
major speaking engagement got to keep it
major speaking engagement got to keep it get to New York and Holly calls me right
get to New York and Holly calls me right
get to New York and Holly calls me right before I walked up to the stage and she
before I walked up to the stage and she
before I walked up to the stage and she says to me you know what I walked 700
says to me you know what I walked 700
says to me you know what I walked 700 feet today
that was her way of saying if I can do
that was her way of saying if I can do that then you can do this she has some
that then you can do this she has some
that then you can do this she has some John Wayne at her to six weeks in rehab
John Wayne at her to six weeks in rehab
John Wayne at her to six weeks in rehab get ready to come home had to
get ready to come home had to
get ready to come home had to reconfigure the whole house got to read
reconfigure the whole house got to read
reconfigure the whole house got to read everything he’s got to be accessible now
everything he’s got to be accessible now
everything he’s got to be accessible now everything they got in a hospital we got
everything they got in a hospital we got
everything they got in a hospital we got to have it in the house hospital bed the
to have it in the house hospital bed the
to have it in the house hospital bed the rails the shower everything got to have
rails the shower everything got to have
rails the shower everything got to have it here now I’m still in denial I’m
it here now I’m still in denial I’m
it here now I’m still in denial I’m still saying baby we gonna be okay we
still saying baby we gonna be okay we
still saying baby we gonna be okay we got this we gonna be okay
got this we gonna be okay
got this we gonna be okay the very day that we were supposed to go
the very day that we were supposed to go
the very day that we were supposed to go in for our first chemo treatment Holly
in for our first chemo treatment Holly
in for our first chemo treatment Holly had a stroke that was it that was life
had a stroke that was it that was life
had a stroke that was it that was life reimagined I was told that we have 14
reimagined I was told that we have 14
reimagined I was told that we have 14 months with chemo and again not taken to
months with chemo and again not taken to
months with chemo and again not taken to a any consideration quality of life
a any consideration quality of life
a any consideration quality of life that’s 14 months with chemo it takes 12
that’s 14 months with chemo it takes 12
that’s 14 months with chemo it takes 12 to 18 months to recover from a stroke
to 18 months to recover from a stroke
to 18 months to recover from a stroke under the best conditions but that’s
under the best conditions but that’s
under the best conditions but that’s where we’re at where the call cross
where we’re at where the call cross
where we’re at where the call cross Harris I can’t be a denial anymore and
Harris I can’t be a denial anymore and
Harris I can’t be a denial anymore and you know what every time I got weak my
you know what every time I got weak my
you know what every time I got weak my wings got weak God would send me some
wings got weak God would send me some
wings got weak God would send me some angels hmm couple of Holly’s friends
angels hmm couple of Holly’s friends
angels hmm couple of Holly’s friends Sheila Dixon my best friend city cat
Sheila Dixon my best friend city cat
Sheila Dixon my best friend city cat when up Holly’s friends from way back
when up Holly’s friends from way back
when up Holly’s friends from way back Nancy Kavanagh
Nancy Kavanagh
Nancy Kavanagh and I got to tell you something about
and I got to tell you something about
and I got to tell you something about the cavalry might not be coming but I
the cavalry might not be coming but I
the cavalry might not be coming but I put together a damn good posse we get
put together a damn good posse we get
put together a damn good posse we get back to the hospital get the swelling to
back to the hospital get the swelling to
back to the hospital get the swelling to stop in the brain but the tumors so
stop in the brain but the tumors so
stop in the brain but the tumors so fragile she could have another stroke so
fragile she could have another stroke so
fragile she could have another stroke so we move into a subacute facility 24 hour
we move into a subacute facility 24 hour
we move into a subacute facility 24 hour recovery Sheila Sheila Dixon moved into
recovery Sheila Sheila Dixon moved into
recovery Sheila Sheila Dixon moved into that facility with Holly and she pretty
that facility with Holly and she pretty
that facility with Holly and she pretty much set an edge here right in Holly’s
much set an edge here right in Holly’s
much set an edge here right in Holly’s room for 10 12 14 hours a day now
room for 10 12 14 hours a day now
room for 10 12 14 hours a day now unbeknownst to me she had become the
unbeknownst to me she had become the
unbeknownst to me she had become the nursing supervisor and she would just
nursing supervisor and she would just
nursing supervisor and she would just sit there you but just she would be
sit there you but just she would be
sit there you but just she would be sitting these people no no no baby what
sitting these people no no no baby what
sitting these people no no no baby what you doing huh no don’t turn her like
you doing huh no don’t turn her like
you doing huh no don’t turn her like that she don’t like that no no no we
that she don’t like that no no no we
that she don’t like that no no no we don’t do that one time a man came in the
don’t do that one time a man came in the
don’t do that one time a man came in the room certified nursing assistant she
room certified nursing assistant she
room certified nursing assistant she told him no leader oh you can’t be in
told him no leader oh you can’t be in
told him no leader oh you can’t be in here we need her her at her now we go
here we need her her at her now we go
here we need her her at her now we go turn it this way and then we go get her
turn it this way and then we go get her
turn it this way and then we go get her hair done and she want to get her nails
hair done and she want to get her nails
hair done and she want to get her nails done tomorrow now that’s what we go do
done tomorrow now that’s what we go do
done tomorrow now that’s what we go do okay man at this point all of Holly’s
okay man at this point all of Holly’s
okay man at this point all of Holly’s output channels are gone but she can
output channels are gone but she can
output channels are gone but she can hear and respond to everything that you
hear and respond to everything that you
hear and respond to everything that you say is she here everything that you
say is she here everything that you
say is she here everything that you saying and the only way we could
saying and the only way we could
saying and the only way we could communicate is with her right foot
communicate is with her right foot
communicate is with her right foot and I had to start being honest with
and I had to start being honest with
and I had to start being honest with myself though I had to start thinking
myself though I had to start thinking
myself though I had to start thinking about a DNR do-not-resuscitate I just
about a DNR do-not-resuscitate I just
about a DNR do-not-resuscitate I just read this article by a guy named Joe
read this article by a guy named Joe
read this article by a guy named Joe client Time magazine mr. Klein and his
client Time magazine mr. Klein and his
client Time magazine mr. Klein and his words had to become the death panel for
words had to become the death panel for
words had to become the death panel for both of his parents within a six-month
both of his parents within a six-month
both of his parents within a six-month period and he wrote about letting people
period and he wrote about letting people
period and he wrote about letting people die with dignity
die with dignity
die with dignity I read this article and I said okay I
I read this article and I said okay I
I read this article and I said okay I get it I finally got to do this I got to
get it I finally got to do this I got to
get it I finally got to do this I got to sign this DNR I go in there I got the
sign this DNR I go in there I got the
sign this DNR I go in there I got the DNR in one hand but in the other hand I
DNR in one hand but in the other hand I
DNR in one hand but in the other hand I got Holly’s foot and I’m just talking
got Holly’s foot and I’m just talking
got Holly’s foot and I’m just talking and talking and talking and and I I
and talking and talking and and I I
and talking and talking and and I I don’t know why but I said baby you want
don’t know why but I said baby you want
don’t know why but I said baby you want a cup of coffee and I get this foot say
a cup of coffee and I get this foot say
a cup of coffee and I get this foot say you want a cheese danish I get the foot
you want a cheese danish I get the foot
you want a cheese danish I get the foot now what do you do you got a DNR in one
now what do you do you got a DNR in one
now what do you do you got a DNR in one hand and the other hand you got this
hand and the other hand you got this
hand and the other hand you got this foot telling you to go give me a coffee
foot telling you to go give me a coffee
foot telling you to go give me a coffee and a Danish what do you do
and a Danish what do you do
and a Danish what do you do you go get the coffee and a Danish
you go get the coffee and a Danish
you go get the coffee and a Danish that’s what you do alright I had to suck
that’s what you do alright I had to suck
that’s what you do alright I had to suck up the coffee and the strong put a
up the coffee and the strong put a
up the coffee and the strong put a little suction at the top and just drop
little suction at the top and just drop
little suction at the top and just drop it in the mouth and you could see her
it in the mouth and you could see her
it in the mouth and you could see her and we were having coffee
and we were having coffee
and we were having coffee some of our last conversations that I
some of our last conversations that I
some of our last conversations that I had with Holly or her asking me what are
had with Holly or her asking me what are
had with Holly or her asking me what are you going to do now that we see how
you going to do now that we see how
you going to do now that we see how truly sure life can be what are you
truly sure life can be what are you
truly sure life can be what are you gonna do that was my life reimagined
gonna do that was my life reimagined
gonna do that was my life reimagined moment she and I have been talking for
moment she and I have been talking for
moment she and I have been talking for some time about where we are where she
some time about where we are where she
some time about where we are where she was where I was but now the question was
was where I was but now the question was
was where I was but now the question was staring me in the face what are you
staring me in the face what are you
staring me in the face what are you going to do after Holly and you know
going to do after Holly and you know
going to do after Holly and you know what for 30 years I’ve been doing
what for 30 years I’ve been doing
what for 30 years I’ve been doing something that was good and
something that was good and
something that was good and business-wise not just good
business-wise not just good
business-wise not just good [Music]
[Music]
[Music] one of the best in the business but
one of the best in the business but
one of the best in the business but after 30 years I don’t want to do it
after 30 years I don’t want to do it
after 30 years I don’t want to do it anymore
anymore
anymore one of the best in the business made a
one of the best in the business made a
one of the best in the business made a ton of money doing it I don’t want to do
ton of money doing it I don’t want to do
ton of money doing it I don’t want to do it anymore it’s not what gets me excited
it anymore it’s not what gets me excited
it anymore it’s not what gets me excited I started taking my own advice and I
I started taking my own advice and I
I started taking my own advice and I said I’m getting out of the brokerage
said I’m getting out of the brokerage
said I’m getting out of the brokerage business I’ve been telling people for a
business I’ve been telling people for a
business I’ve been telling people for a long time if you’re doing something that
long time if you’re doing something that
long time if you’re doing something that you’re not passionate about or committed
you’re not passionate about or committed
you’re not passionate about or committed to then you compromising yourself every
to then you compromising yourself every
to then you compromising yourself every day and you know what you cannot fake
day and you know what you cannot fake
day and you know what you cannot fake the funk for long so I’m getting out of
the funk for long so I’m getting out of
the funk for long so I’m getting out of the brokerage business I’ve been
the brokerage business I’ve been
the brokerage business I’ve been thinking about spinning and not just
thinking about spinning and not just
thinking about spinning and not just thinking about it but I know I’ve been
thinking about it but I know I’ve been
thinking about it but I know I’ve been spending more time and energy on other
spending more time and energy on other
spending more time and energy on other things anyway
things anyway
things anyway but it was these last conversations with
but it was these last conversations with
but it was these last conversations with Holly that led me to just push away and
Holly that led me to just push away and
Holly that led me to just push away and began to reimagine my life one day all
began to reimagine my life one day all
began to reimagine my life one day all of us we’re going to get to a stretch of
of us we’re going to get to a stretch of
of us we’re going to get to a stretch of road where there’s no Maps no road signs
road where there’s no Maps no road signs
road where there’s no Maps no road signs and no GPS there’s gonna be a fork in
and no GPS there’s gonna be a fork in
and no GPS there’s gonna be a fork in this road
this road
this road and one way is gonna see I’m scared and
and one way is gonna see I’m scared and
and one way is gonna see I’m scared and don’t know what to do the other way is
don’t know what to do the other way is
don’t know what to do the other way is going to say I’m scared but I’m stepping
going to say I’m scared but I’m stepping
going to say I’m scared but I’m stepping out on faith that’s the road you gotta
out on faith that’s the road you gotta
out on faith that’s the road you gotta change
change
change and when you push away sometimes you
and when you push away sometimes you
and when you push away sometimes you just need to make a good clean break all
just need to make a good clean break all
just need to make a good clean break all right there shut it down shut down to
right there shut it down shut down to
right there shut it down shut down to business all right New York office shut
business all right New York office shut
business all right New York office shut it down
it down
it down 18 years shut it down you can’t get to
18 years shut it down you can’t get to
18 years shut it down you can’t get to the next chapter without earnest of
the next chapter without earnest of
the next chapter without earnest of pages mmm I mean a lot of us just like
pages mmm I mean a lot of us just like
pages mmm I mean a lot of us just like to read like this it don’t work like
to read like this it don’t work like
to read like this it don’t work like that all right and you know what
that all right and you know what
that all right and you know what speaking of reading there was a book
speaking of reading there was a book
speaking of reading there was a book that Holly and I were reading no it’s
that Holly and I were reading no it’s
that Holly and I were reading no it’s the last book I’ve had a chance to read
the last book I’ve had a chance to read
the last book I’ve had a chance to read to her to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper
to her to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper
to her to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and I would sit there and read and
Lee and I would sit there and read and
Lee and I would sit there and read and she’s given me the food and I read
she’s given me the food and I read
she’s given me the food and I read slowly pages and chapters and I knew so
slowly pages and chapters and I knew so
slowly pages and chapters and I knew so when I finished this book
when I finished this book
when I finished this book Holle it go be here I haven’t finished
Holle it go be here I haven’t finished
Holle it go be here I haven’t finished that book yet I don’t know if I ever
that book yet I don’t know if I ever
that book yet I don’t know if I ever will
will
will when you lose a loved one you reevaluate
when you lose a loved one you reevaluate
when you lose a loved one you reevaluate everything what are you gonna do with
everything what are you gonna do with
everything what are you gonna do with your time it all comes down with the
your time it all comes down with the
your time it all comes down with the time that is all we got
time that is all we got
time that is all we got you can lose a house get a new house
you can lose a house get a new house
you can lose a house get a new house lose a job get a new job but when you
lose a job get a new job but when you
lose a job get a new job but when you lose the person that you love more than
lose the person that you love more than
lose the person that you love more than life that’s you’re replaceable you can
life that’s you’re replaceable you can
life that’s you’re replaceable you can make money you can lose money you can’t
make money you can lose money you can’t
make money you can lose money you can’t make time you can see that every person
make time you can see that every person
make time you can see that every person you meet over the next couple of days
you meet over the next couple of days
you meet over the next couple of days how much time you got to work before you
how much time you got to work before you
how much time you got to work before you eligible for retirement people know how
eligible for retirement people know how
eligible for retirement people know how much gas is in the car people know how
much gas is in the car people know how
much gas is in the car people know how much time you got left in your life
don’t nobody know time is the ultimate
don’t nobody know time is the ultimate luxury some of us get more than others
luxury some of us get more than others
luxury some of us get more than others some of us get more than we deserve but
some of us get more than we deserve but
some of us get more than we deserve but none of us know how much we have left in
none of us know how much we have left in
none of us know how much we have left in our lives we just don’t know you know
our lives we just don’t know you know
our lives we just don’t know you know there’s a scene from that feeling that
there’s a scene from that feeling that
there’s a scene from that feeling that gets at reimagine in life is the scene
gets at reimagine in life is the scene
gets at reimagine in life is the scene that takes place on the basketball court
that takes place on the basketball court
that takes place on the basketball court that scene wasn’t written as you saw it
that scene wasn’t written as you saw it
that scene wasn’t written as you saw it in the original script when the little
in the original script when the little
in the original script when the little boy throws up the ball it says I’m going
boy throws up the ball it says I’m going
boy throws up the ball it says I’m going pro the father says forget it you could
pro the father says forget it you could
pro the father says forget it you could never do that I was no good at it so
never do that I was no good at it so
never do that I was no good at it so that means that you can’t do it don’t
that means that you can’t do it don’t
that means that you can’t do it don’t ever let me hear you say you go do that
ever let me hear you say you go do that
ever let me hear you say you go do that man to put that in perspective I got to
man to put that in perspective I got to
man to put that in perspective I got to change this story about my mom I have
change this story about my mom I have
change this story about my mom I have one of those old-fashioned mothers who
one of those old-fashioned mothers who
one of those old-fashioned mothers who taught me from the very beginning that I
taught me from the very beginning that I
taught me from the very beginning that I can do be anything I wanted to do Abby
can do be anything I wanted to do Abby
can do be anything I wanted to do Abby apparently I took it too far
made in my mind my first ambition of
made in my mind my first ambition of life I was gonna become Miles Davis hmm
life I was gonna become Miles Davis hmm
life I was gonna become Miles Davis hmm man mama said I could be anybody I chose
man mama said I could be anybody I chose
man mama said I could be anybody I chose miles I study music music theory I
miles I study music music theory I
miles I study music music theory I played trumpet for nine years I got
played trumpet for nine years I got
played trumpet for nine years I got pretty good and when I say I wanted to
pretty good and when I say I wanted to
pretty good and when I say I wanted to become a Miles Davis I had it bad people
become a Miles Davis I had it bad people
become a Miles Davis I had it bad people would ask me as a little boy would you
would ask me as a little boy would you
would ask me as a little boy would you go be when you grow up
go be when you grow up
go be when you grow up I had a so bad I started talking like
I had a so bad I started talking like
I had a so bad I started talking like miles and I’ll tell him I’ve called B
miles and I’ll tell him I’ve called B
miles and I’ll tell him I’ve called B Miles Davis thank God my mother heard me
Miles Davis thank God my mother heard me
Miles Davis thank God my mother heard me see it one time
see it one time
see it one time mama heard me said she said son We Need
mama heard me said she said son We Need
mama heard me said she said son We Need to Talk we sat down at the kitchen table
to Talk we sat down at the kitchen table
to Talk we sat down at the kitchen table she explained to me baby you’re pretty
she explained to me baby you’re pretty
she explained to me baby you’re pretty good with that thing but you can’t beat
good with that thing but you can’t beat
good with that thing but you can’t beat Miles Davis ain’t but one and he got
Miles Davis ain’t but one and he got
Miles Davis ain’t but one and he got that job and I had to look at the facts
that job and I had to look at the facts
that job and I had to look at the facts the facts were at 18 years of age Miles
the facts were at 18 years of age Miles
the facts were at 18 years of age Miles Davis was a New York City player with
Davis was a New York City player with
Davis was a New York City player with Quincy Jones and Dizzy Gillespie at the
Quincy Jones and Dizzy Gillespie at the
Quincy Jones and Dizzy Gillespie at the same age I was playing with some boys
same age I was playing with some boys
same age I was playing with some boys named Pookie and ray-ray
hey we were good but it wasn’t gonna
hey we were good but it wasn’t gonna happen but the point is another
happen but the point is another
happen but the point is another important decision was made as a young
important decision was made as a young
important decision was made as a young guy and that decision was I was going to
guy and that decision was I was going to
guy and that decision was I was going to become world-class at something I just
become world-class at something I just
become world-class at something I just had to find my button that one thing
had to find my button that one thing
had to find my button that one thing that turns you all so much that you
that turns you all so much that you
that turns you all so much that you would do it for free
would do it for free
would do it for free years ago there was this guy named Joe
years ago there was this guy named Joe
years ago there was this guy named Joe I’m not gonna say his last name because
I’m not gonna say his last name because
I’m not gonna say his last name because I didn’t know it he saw me on Oprah he
I didn’t know it he saw me on Oprah he
I didn’t know it he saw me on Oprah he sends me an email and he says to me I
sends me an email and he says to me I
sends me an email and he says to me I saw you on Oprah
saw you on Oprah
saw you on Oprah I hate Oprah I hate Will Smith and he
I hate Oprah I hate Will Smith and he
I hate Oprah I hate Will Smith and he used the n-word but he says every time I
used the n-word but he says every time I
used the n-word but he says every time I see you I don’t see a color I wanted to
see you I don’t see a color I wanted to
see you I don’t see a color I wanted to hate other people from My Father I’m
hate other people from My Father I’m
hate other people from My Father I’m going to buy your book because I think
going to buy your book because I think
going to buy your book because I think you have helped me change my life that
you have helped me change my life that
you have helped me change my life that was one of those things that says chills
was one of those things that says chills
was one of those things that says chills through your body I’ll never forget that
through your body I’ll never forget that
through your body I’ll never forget that so when it was time for me to do my
so when it was time for me to do my
so when it was time for me to do my second book start where you are I
second book start where you are I
second book start where you are I thought well let me just reach out to
thought well let me just reach out to
thought well let me just reach out to this guy and see how he’s doing
this guy and see how he’s doing
this guy and see how he’s doing get him on the phone and I say hey man
get him on the phone and I say hey man
get him on the phone and I say hey man what’s happening and I got a new book
what’s happening and I got a new book
what’s happening and I got a new book coming out and I want to use your letter
coming out and I want to use your letter
coming out and I want to use your letter in my book is that okay that’s oh no no
in my book is that okay that’s oh no no
in my book is that okay that’s oh no no no mr. Gardner please oh don’t do that
no mr. Gardner please oh don’t do that
no mr. Gardner please oh don’t do that you see I finally found out what makes
you see I finally found out what makes
you see I finally found out what makes me happy I am now the drummer in an
me happy I am now the drummer in an
me happy I am now the drummer in an afro-cuban reggae band
okay that’s life reimagined and don’t
okay that’s life reimagined and don’t always look like you thought it were
always look like you thought it were
always look like you thought it were that was Joe finding his button and you
that was Joe finding his button and you
that was Joe finding his button and you know maybe it’s time for a lot of us
know maybe it’s time for a lot of us
know maybe it’s time for a lot of us over 50 to not be looking for a job
over 50 to not be looking for a job
over 50 to not be looking for a job maybe it’s time for us to be starting to
maybe it’s time for us to be starting to
maybe it’s time for us to be starting to find our button and then hit
find our button and then hit
find our button and then hit find it and be bold enough to go after
find it and be bold enough to go after
find it and be bold enough to go after and accept the fact that ain’t nobody
and accept the fact that ain’t nobody
and accept the fact that ain’t nobody gotta dig it but you that’s the hard
gotta dig it but you that’s the hard
gotta dig it but you that’s the hard part because a lot of times we want to
part because a lot of times we want to
part because a lot of times we want to have some external validation like it’s
have some external validation like it’s
have some external validation like it’s okay it’s a good thing it’s alright for
okay it’s a good thing it’s alright for
okay it’s a good thing it’s alright for you to do that hey ain’t nobody got a
you to do that hey ain’t nobody got a
you to do that hey ain’t nobody got a digger but you that’s my mama talking
digger but you that’s my mama talking
digger but you that’s my mama talking this is important because we’re all
this is important because we’re all
this is important because we’re all 50-plus now we have to accept that you
50-plus now we have to accept that you
50-plus now we have to accept that you know what they’ve been more yesterday’s
know what they’ve been more yesterday’s
know what they’ve been more yesterday’s then there will be tomorrow’s do I need
then there will be tomorrow’s do I need
then there will be tomorrow’s do I need to say that again there bear more
to say that again there bear more
to say that again there bear more yesterday’s then there will be
yesterday’s then there will be
yesterday’s then there will be tomorrow’s losing Holly made that
tomorrow’s losing Holly made that
tomorrow’s losing Holly made that crystal clear to me and when you find
crystal clear to me and when you find
crystal clear to me and when you find that button and I can’t tell you how to
that button and I can’t tell you how to
that button and I can’t tell you how to find it the truth of the matter is a lot
find it the truth of the matter is a lot
find it the truth of the matter is a lot of us probably already know man you
of us probably already know man you
of us probably already know man you gotta push it and remember this baby
gotta push it and remember this baby
gotta push it and remember this baby steps count too as long as you’re going
steps count too as long as you’re going
steps count too as long as you’re going forward dr. Martin Luther King put it
forward dr. Martin Luther King put it
forward dr. Martin Luther King put it best for me when he once said you may
best for me when he once said you may
best for me when he once said you may not see the whole staircase but you
not see the whole staircase but you
not see the whole staircase but you gotta take the first step we all take
gotta take the first step we all take
gotta take the first step we all take strides when we’re clear we’re certain
strides when we’re clear we’re certain
strides when we’re clear we’re certain and there’s no obstacles you got to take
and there’s no obstacles you got to take
and there’s no obstacles you got to take them baby steps sometimes when you don’t
them baby steps sometimes when you don’t
them baby steps sometimes when you don’t know and I think the AARP folks are
know and I think the AARP folks are
know and I think the AARP folks are getting this they know that the old
getting this they know that the old
getting this they know that the old paradigm is over so the button thing is
paradigm is over so the button thing is
paradigm is over so the button thing is front and center for a lot of us right
front and center for a lot of us right
front and center for a lot of us right now we’re looking to discover what’s
now we’re looking to discover what’s
now we’re looking to discover what’s next in our lives working volunteering
next in our lives working volunteering
next in our lives working volunteering starting a business all this change
starting a business all this change
starting a business all this change we’re talking about is getting people to
we’re talking about is getting people to
we’re talking about is getting people to ask questions like how do I use my years
ask questions like how do I use my years
ask questions like how do I use my years of experience to achieve success on my
of experience to achieve success on my
of experience to achieve success on my terms how do I retool my skills for the
terms how do I retool my skills for the
terms how do I retool my skills for the new economy how do i deepen relationship
new economy how do i deepen relationship
new economy how do i deepen relationship with families and friends what does fun
with families and friends what does fun
with families and friends what does fun come in sometime ago I was on CNN
come in sometime ago I was on CNN
come in sometime ago I was on CNN talking about the
talking about the
talking about the economy and I was saying how important
economy and I was saying how important
economy and I was saying how important is to understand that the next wave of
is to understand that the next wave of
is to understand that the next wave of entrepreneurial zest and zeal in this
entrepreneurial zest and zeal in this
entrepreneurial zest and zeal in this country is going to be led by people who
country is going to be led by people who
country is going to be led by people who are over 50 years old you know why I say
are over 50 years old you know why I say
are over 50 years old you know why I say that because those are people who will
that because those are people who will
that because those are people who will let go from key positions in corporate
let go from key positions in corporate
let go from key positions in corporate America in their prime and all these
America in their prime and all these
America in their prime and all these technical wizards and bright guys that
technical wizards and bright guys that
technical wizards and bright guys that misses something they’re missing the 3
misses something they’re missing the 3
misses something they’re missing the 3 R’s not to reading writing arithmetic
R’s not to reading writing arithmetic
R’s not to reading writing arithmetic they’re missing the rep the rap and the
they’re missing the rep the rap and the
they’re missing the rep the rap and the rolodex reputation history in the
rolodex reputation history in the
rolodex reputation history in the business rap you got to be able to
business rap you got to be able to
business rap you got to be able to communicate your ideas rolodex mom used
communicate your ideas rolodex mom used
communicate your ideas rolodex mom used to always say to me boy the best time to
to always say to me boy the best time to
to always say to me boy the best time to make friends is before you need friends
make friends is before you need friends
make friends is before you need friends we’re heading straight into a creator
we’re heading straight into a creator
we’re heading straight into a creator economy now a creator economy is where a
economy now a creator economy is where a
economy now a creator economy is where a lot of people are just finding their
lot of people are just finding their
lot of people are just finding their buttons they are ordinary passionate
buttons they are ordinary passionate
buttons they are ordinary passionate people all over the places that are
people all over the places that are
people all over the places that are doing things that they are truly
doing things that they are truly
doing things that they are truly passionate about pursuing Big Ideas
passionate about pursuing Big Ideas
passionate about pursuing Big Ideas innovative solutions being
innovative solutions being
innovative solutions being entrepreneurial think about that the
entrepreneurial think about that the
entrepreneurial think about that the idea of being a creator is probably a
idea of being a creator is probably a
idea of being a creator is probably a little unsettling and it’s so contrary
little unsettling and it’s so contrary
little unsettling and it’s so contrary to the life course we’ve grown
to the life course we’ve grown
to the life course we’ve grown accustomed to the steady job career
accustomed to the steady job career
accustomed to the steady job career trajectory and so on
trajectory and so on
trajectory and so on but you know why because this is life
but you know why because this is life
but you know why because this is life reimagined
reimagined
reimagined this is changing things up this is 50
this is changing things up this is 50
this is changing things up this is 50 folks 50 year old folks pushing that
folks 50 year old folks pushing that
folks 50 year old folks pushing that button you see we don’t need to reinvent
button you see we don’t need to reinvent
button you see we don’t need to reinvent ourselves I never really bought into
ourselves I never really bought into
ourselves I never really bought into that whole reinvention thing I mean at
that whole reinvention thing I mean at
that whole reinvention thing I mean at this point we are who we are most of us
this point we are who we are most of us
this point we are who we are most of us have the time we ain’t got the time or
have the time we ain’t got the time or
have the time we ain’t got the time or energy to be reinvented nothing what we
energy to be reinvented nothing what we
energy to be reinvented nothing what we do need though is the confidence that
do need though is the confidence that
do need though is the confidence that the skills talent and expertise that
the skills talent and expertise that
the skills talent and expertise that we’ve accumulated during our lives can
we’ve accumulated during our lives can
we’ve accumulated during our lives can create values somehow skills telling and
create values somehow skills telling and
create values somehow skills telling and expertise are transferable why not use
expertise are transferable why not use
expertise are transferable why not use them to do something that we love why
them to do something that we love why
them to do something that we love why not use them to produce something to
not use them to produce something to
not use them to produce something to build something to love something and
build something to love something and
build something to love something and own it this is finding your button and
own it this is finding your button and
own it this is finding your button and pushing it this is work reimagine and
pushing it this is work reimagine and
pushing it this is work reimagine and that proverbial question is the glass
that proverbial question is the glass
that proverbial question is the glass half-full or the glass half-empty hey my
half-full or the glass half-empty hey my
half-full or the glass half-empty hey my position is the glasses how full the
position is the glasses how full the
position is the glasses how full the other half ain’t yours no way so don’t
other half ain’t yours no way so don’t
other half ain’t yours no way so don’t worry about it let’s roll with what we
worry about it let’s roll with what we
worry about it let’s roll with what we got
got
got a a blank slate and all our imaginations
a a blank slate and all our imaginations
a a blank slate and all our imaginations are right here own it and always be
are right here own it and always be
are right here own it and always be mindful that the Calvary is not coming
mindful that the Calvary is not coming
mindful that the Calvary is not coming ain’t no backup so what am I gonna do
ain’t no backup so what am I gonna do
ain’t no backup so what am I gonna do I’m gonna tell you what I’m gonna do I’m
I’m gonna tell you what I’m gonna do I’m
I’m gonna tell you what I’m gonna do I’m gonna do three things I’m gonna work
gonna do three things I’m gonna work
gonna do three things I’m gonna work less make more money and enjoy my life
less make more money and enjoy my life
less make more money and enjoy my life now that might not just that my way that
now that might not just that my way that
now that might not just that my way that might sound like something just cocky to
might sound like something just cocky to
might sound like something just cocky to say let me let me talk about that for a
say let me let me talk about that for a
say let me let me talk about that for a second that ain’t just something cocky
second that ain’t just something cocky
second that ain’t just something cocky to say work less what does it mean that
to say work less what does it mean that
to say work less what does it mean that means I have no longer willing to do
means I have no longer willing to do
means I have no longer willing to do anything just to make money no matter
anything just to make money no matter
anything just to make money no matter how good I am at it I’m no longer
how good I am at it I’m no longer
how good I am at it I’m no longer willing to spend another moment a second
willing to spend another moment a second
willing to spend another moment a second a minute of my life doing something just
a minute of my life doing something just
a minute of my life doing something just to make money and the truth of the
to make money and the truth of the
to make money and the truth of the matter is when you’re doing something
matter is when you’re doing something
matter is when you’re doing something though that you tremendously excited
though that you tremendously excited
though that you tremendously excited about that you’re passionate about that
about that you’re passionate about that
about that you’re passionate about that you’re committed to you probably go be
you’re committed to you probably go be
you’re committed to you probably go be working harder than you ever worked in
working harder than you ever worked in
working harder than you ever worked in your life but when you’re loving it
your life but when you’re loving it
your life but when you’re loving it that’s not work is it huh that’s not
that’s not work is it huh that’s not
that’s not work is it huh that’s not work I’m telling you make more money
work I’m telling you make more money
work I’m telling you make more money what does that think what does that mean
what does that think what does that mean
what does that think what does that mean in my case cut all these expenses man
in my case cut all these expenses man
in my case cut all these expenses man how many houses can you live in at one
how many houses can you live in at one
how many houses can you live in at one time how many cars can you drive at one
time how many cars can you drive at one
time how many cars can you drive at one time and get some people out of your
time and get some people out of your
time and get some people out of your pocket hey hey wait we all got some
pocket hey hey wait we all got some
pocket hey hey wait we all got some people who’ve been living in our pockets
people who’ve been living in our pockets
people who’ve been living in our pockets the first people I’m putting out in my
the first people I’m putting out in my
the first people I’m putting out in my pocket are my children
pocket are my children
pocket are my children a lot of us tried to give all our
a lot of us tried to give all our
a lot of us tried to give all our children everything that we didn’t have
children everything that we didn’t have
children everything that we didn’t have thinking that we were giving them a
thinking that we were giving them a
thinking that we were giving them a better life and you know what we’re not
better life and you know what we’re not
better life and you know what we’re not giving them a better life we just give
giving them a better life we just give
giving them a better life we just give them better stuff man my children
them better stuff man my children
them better stuff man my children develop this highly at one point highly
develop this highly at one point highly
develop this highly at one point highly evolved sense of entitlement they
evolved sense of entitlement they
evolved sense of entitlement they walking around like they the Lord
walking around like they the Lord
walking around like they the Lord chocolate Kennedy’s I’m just being
chocolate Kennedy’s I’m just being
chocolate Kennedy’s I’m just being honest I’m talking about my kids right
honest I’m talking about my kids right
honest I’m talking about my kids right you know they’re walking around like we
you know they’re walking around like we
you know they’re walking around like we just gotta like this we just rollin like
just gotta like this we just rollin like
just gotta like this we just rollin like this I have to explain to a one-day you
this I have to explain to a one-day you
this I have to explain to a one-day you know what hold a whole up y’all not
know what hold a whole up y’all not
know what hold a whole up y’all not rolling I’m rolling y’all ride oh
there’s a difference between Ryan and
there’s a difference between Ryan and rolling when you ride you get when you
rolling when you ride you get when you
rolling when you ride you get when you rollin you get to say when they stop
rollin you get to say when they stop
rollin you get to say when they stop when you ride you hope it never does
when you ride you hope it never does
when you ride you hope it never does I’ll never forget this one time man I
I’ll never forget this one time man I
I’ll never forget this one time man I came home one day and you know I mean I
came home one day and you know I mean I
came home one day and you know I mean I had to explain to my children and I
had to explain to my children and I
had to explain to my children and I don’t believe in using a whole bunch of
don’t believe in using a whole bunch of
don’t believe in using a whole bunch of bad language but I I did say to my
bad language but I I did say to my
bad language but I I did say to my children when they look at you know what
children when they look at you know what
children when they look at you know what y’all see all this stuff this is my
y’all see all this stuff this is my
y’all see all this stuff this is my stuff
stuff
stuff okay I made this you didn’t I came home
okay I made this you didn’t I came home
okay I made this you didn’t I came home one day I’ll never forget this I’m
one day I’ll never forget this I’m
one day I’ll never forget this I’m hearing this arguing in my house and I
hearing this arguing in my house and I
hearing this arguing in my house and I walked out what’s going on here my
walked out what’s going on here my
walked out what’s going on here my daughter is eight my son is 12 my
daughter is eight my son is 12 my
daughter is eight my son is 12 my daughter runs up to me she says Papa
daughter runs up to me she says Papa
daughter runs up to me she says Papa tell Chris i’ma get you a Ferrari when
tell Chris i’ma get you a Ferrari when
tell Chris i’ma get you a Ferrari when you die
you die
you die [Applause]
aha they are you whacking up the goods
aha they are you whacking up the goods right she ain’t he 12 K nobody drive
right she ain’t he 12 K nobody drive
right she ain’t he 12 K nobody drive they’re whacking up the goods and this
they’re whacking up the goods and this
they’re whacking up the goods and this all happened around Christmastime and I
all happened around Christmastime and I
all happened around Christmastime and I will never forget it was Christmas time
will never forget it was Christmas time
will never forget it was Christmas time and report card time and the house
and report card time and the house
and report card time and the house looked like Norman Rockwell’s house we
looked like Norman Rockwell’s house we
looked like Norman Rockwell’s house we got the tree up and all the presents
got the tree up and all the presents
got the tree up and all the presents decorated and they bring up these report
decorated and they bring up these report
decorated and they bring up these report cards starting on with the back end of
cards starting on with the back end of
cards starting on with the back end of the alphabet and I told him I says no
the alphabet and I told him I says no
the alphabet and I told him I says no you know what Christmas they don’t open
you know what Christmas they don’t open
you know what Christmas they don’t open nothin
nothin
nothin we will leave everything right here into
we will leave everything right here into
we will leave everything right here into that next report card come out man and
that next report card come out man and
that next report card come out man and lead a trio and all their little friends
lead a trio and all their little friends
lead a trio and all their little friends came over in january/february what’s up
came over in january/february what’s up
came over in january/february what’s up with the tree man we had a Rottweiler at
with the tree man we had a Rottweiler at
with the tree man we had a Rottweiler at the time Bruno Bruno 150 pound
the time Bruno Bruno 150 pound
the time Bruno Bruno 150 pound Rottweiler and he opened everything
Rottweiler and he opened everything
Rottweiler and he opened everything under that tree ain’t the PlayStation a
under that tree ain’t the PlayStation a
under that tree ain’t the PlayStation a hey leave him alone all right but that
hey leave him alone all right but that
hey leave him alone all right but that was the beginning of me helping them get
was the beginning of me helping them get
was the beginning of me helping them get it but sometimes like this when this
it but sometimes like this when this
it but sometimes like this when this happens I mean you take some real hard
happens I mean you take some real hard
happens I mean you take some real hard look looks at your relationships with
look looks at your relationships with
look looks at your relationships with your children getting back to cutting
your children getting back to cutting
your children getting back to cutting expenses I mean getting people out of
expenses I mean getting people out of
expenses I mean getting people out of your pocket
your pocket
your pocket enjoy life where does that mean man I’ve
enjoy life where does that mean man I’ve
enjoy life where does that mean man I’ve made a commitment to get into the best
made a commitment to get into the best
made a commitment to get into the best physical shape of my life I tell you
physical shape of my life I tell you
physical shape of my life I tell you something I have recently with a whole
something I have recently with a whole
something I have recently with a whole lot of work I’ve dropped 27 pounds 27
lot of work I’ve dropped 27 pounds 27
lot of work I’ve dropped 27 pounds 27 pounds thank you thank you you know what
pounds thank you thank you you know what
pounds thank you thank you you know what when I came out of the Navy I was 23
when I came out of the Navy I was 23
when I came out of the Navy I was 23 years old
years old
years old 220 pounds with a 32 inch waist
220 pounds with a 32 inch waist
220 pounds with a 32 inch waist now today 58 years old 220 pounds and
now today 58 years old 220 pounds and
now today 58 years old 220 pounds and the only way I’m gonna have a 32 inch
the only way I’m gonna have a 32 inch
the only way I’m gonna have a 32 inch waist with some radical form of surgical
waist with some radical form of surgical
waist with some radical form of surgical intervention and ain’t gonna happen but
intervention and ain’t gonna happen but
intervention and ain’t gonna happen but I’m okay with that
I’m okay with that
I’m okay with that all right the only person happy about my
all right the only person happy about my
all right the only person happy about my new body than me is my tailor he’s like
new body than me is my tailor he’s like
new body than me is my tailor he’s like man I cannot take your pants up any more
man I cannot take your pants up any more
man I cannot take your pants up any more if I take your pants at one more time in
if I take your pants at one more time in
if I take your pants at one more time in the back you gonna have a pouch enjoy it
the back you gonna have a pouch enjoy it
the back you gonna have a pouch enjoy it like getting in the best shape of my
like getting in the best shape of my
like getting in the best shape of my life and I want to do work that is
life and I want to do work that is
life and I want to do work that is meaningful to me and that means
meaningful to me and that means
meaningful to me and that means continuing to work with AARP that means
continuing to work with AARP that means
continuing to work with AARP that means continuing to rough was in AARP and
continuing to rough was in AARP and
continuing to rough was in AARP and every opportunity I get is just with
every opportunity I get is just with
every opportunity I get is just with some folks last night in New York
some folks last night in New York
some folks last night in New York continuing my work at private equity in
continuing my work at private equity in
continuing my work at private equity in Africa and I’m working on some ideas in
Africa and I’m working on some ideas in
Africa and I’m working on some ideas in media for instance all let’s talk about
media for instance all let’s talk about
media for instance all let’s talk about life reimagined what about love
life reimagined what about love
life reimagined what about love reimagines huh what happens I mean at
reimagines huh what happens I mean at
reimagines huh what happens I mean at the end of the day we all just want to
the end of the day we all just want to
the end of the day we all just want to be healthy and we want to be loved what
be healthy and we want to be loved what
be healthy and we want to be loved what happens when you’re single 60 is sexy
don’t answer that well why not some
don’t answer that well why not some television for grown folks singles 60 is
television for grown folks singles 60 is
television for grown folks singles 60 is sexy I’m working on that okay that’s
sexy I’m working on that okay that’s
sexy I’m working on that okay that’s love reimagine and that’s a lot that’s
love reimagine and that’s a lot that’s
love reimagine and that’s a lot that’s where I’m at and the beautiful thing
where I’m at and the beautiful thing
where I’m at and the beautiful thing about this transitional part of my
about this transitional part of my
about this transitional part of my relationship with Holly is no regrets
relationship with Holly is no regrets
relationship with Holly is no regrets no regrets to have loved and been loved
no regrets to have loved and been loved
no regrets to have loved and been loved unconditionally you know what that means
unconditionally you know what that means
unconditionally you know what that means unconditionally that means somebody
unconditionally that means somebody
unconditionally that means somebody knows you and loved you anyway huh
knows you and loved you anyway huh
knows you and loved you anyway huh unconditionally one of them the last
unconditionally one of them the last
unconditionally one of them the last thing is that last conversations we had
thing is that last conversations we had
thing is that last conversations we had was her saying to me that you know what
you don’t have to say that you wish we
you don’t have to say that you wish we had done this so you wish we had done
had done this so you wish we had done
had done this so you wish we had done that cause we did everything we did all
that cause we did everything we did all
that cause we did everything we did all that in one of the last things that she
that in one of the last things that she
that in one of the last things that she said to me was I don’t want you to cry
said to me was I don’t want you to cry
said to me was I don’t want you to cry because it’s over I want you to smile
because it’s over I want you to smile
because it’s over I want you to smile because it happened
so you know and I’m gonna say this I
so you know and I’m gonna say this I gotta share this with you when you do
gotta share this with you when you do
gotta share this with you when you do lose a loved one you’re gonna have some
lose a loved one you’re gonna have some
lose a loved one you’re gonna have some people come in and out and tell you what
people come in and out and tell you what
people come in and out and tell you what you should be doing now somebody in
you should be doing now somebody in
you should be doing now somebody in there know what I’m talking about
there know what I’m talking about
there know what I’m talking about you guys are folks come in here and tell
you guys are folks come in here and tell
you guys are folks come in here and tell you what you should do now this is what
you what you should do now this is what
you what you should do now this is what you need to do okay and then leave and
you need to do okay and then leave and
you need to do okay and then leave and you’re like right here this is your life
you’re like right here this is your life
you’re like right here this is your life right and all you got some friends let’s
right and all you got some friends let’s
right and all you got some friends let’s go turn into experts we had this one
go turn into experts we had this one
go turn into experts we had this one Holly had this one friend who found the
Holly had this one friend who found the
Holly had this one friend who found the one doctor on the internet who
one doctor on the internet who
one doctor on the internet who guaranteed he could cure brain cancer on
guaranteed he could cure brain cancer on
guaranteed he could cure brain cancer on the Internet now god Northwestern
the Internet now god Northwestern
the Internet now god Northwestern University Duke University and the
University Duke University and the
University Duke University and the University of Chicago said we know this
University of Chicago said we know this
University of Chicago said we know this is where you have one quack saying I
is where you have one quack saying I
is where you have one quack saying I guarantee I could cure cancer
guarantee I could cure cancer
guarantee I could cure cancer we don’t see the quack so that creates
we don’t see the quack so that creates
we don’t see the quack so that creates an issue with me in the France
an issue with me in the France
an issue with me in the France so these friends they got to come they
so these friends they got to come they
so these friends they got to come they gonna go but this is your life and they
gonna go but this is your life and they
gonna go but this is your life and they go fly back to New Jersey in New Mexico
go fly back to New Jersey in New Mexico
go fly back to New Jersey in New Mexico wherever they came from
wherever they came from
wherever they came from all right that’s part of the experience
all right that’s part of the experience
all right that’s part of the experience of loss but big picture keeping people
of loss but big picture keeping people
of loss but big picture keeping people close and finding kindred spirits this
close and finding kindred spirits this
close and finding kindred spirits this is all part of life reimagined for too
is all part of life reimagined for too
is all part of life reimagined for too long too many of us have been living in
long too many of us have been living in
long too many of us have been living in Excel in a place called things it’s time
Excel in a place called things it’s time
Excel in a place called things it’s time to come back to a place where there’s
to come back to a place where there’s
to come back to a place where there’s friends families and folks people are
friends families and folks people are
friends families and folks people are connected I mean that’s what’s important
connected I mean that’s what’s important
connected I mean that’s what’s important place where being connected helps us
place where being connected helps us
place where being connected helps us find our buttons friends families and
find our buttons friends families and
find our buttons friends families and folks we all got somewhere because
folks we all got somewhere because
folks we all got somewhere because somebody else helped us somebody else
somebody else helped us somebody else
somebody else helped us somebody else saw something that maybe at some point
saw something that maybe at some point
saw something that maybe at some point we didn’t see in ourselves and you know
we didn’t see in ourselves and you know
we didn’t see in ourselves and you know what you can keep on seeking people who
what you can keep on seeking people who
what you can keep on seeking people who will help bring out your best we can
will help bring out your best we can
will help bring out your best we can keep all meeting people anywhere
keep all meeting people anywhere
keep all meeting people anywhere everywhere people like ourselves people
everywhere people like ourselves people
everywhere people like ourselves people will share our circumstances understand
will share our circumstances understand
will share our circumstances understand our concerns and have common points of
our concerns and have common points of
our concerns and have common points of view it’s like very rare said it’s time
view it’s like very rare said it’s time
view it’s like very rare said it’s time to get local it’s time to make it
to get local it’s time to make it
to get local it’s time to make it personal time for two-way conversations
personal time for two-way conversations
personal time for two-way conversations time to build a support network of
time to build a support network of
time to build a support network of people like us and being connected that
people like us and being connected that
people like us and being connected that is what is important that’s what we find
is what is important that’s what we find
is what is important that’s what we find our power AARP is real clear on where
our power AARP is real clear on where
our power AARP is real clear on where 50-plus people are at
50-plus people are at
50-plus people are at that they feel that they’ve earned the
that they feel that they’ve earned the
that they feel that they’ve earned the right to enjoy their work and succeed in
right to enjoy their work and succeed in
right to enjoy their work and succeed in the future and that they know life isn’t
the future and that they know life isn’t
the future and that they know life isn’t reimagined along so the folks at AARP
reimagined along so the folks at AARP
reimagined along so the folks at AARP are working hard to create space for
are working hard to create space for
are working hard to create space for this sharing experiences connecting with
this sharing experiences connecting with
this sharing experiences connecting with mentors exchanging ideas and building
mentors exchanging ideas and building
mentors exchanging ideas and building communities and you can count on me to
communities and you can count on me to
communities and you can count on me to be your ally to be your personal
be your ally to be your personal
be your ally to be your personal advocate because of where I’ve been and
advocate because of where I’ve been and
advocate because of where I’ve been and what I’ve been through
what I’ve been through
what I’ve been through people 50-plus are all living in the
people 50-plus are all living in the
people 50-plus are all living in the same neighborhood not demographically
same neighborhood not demographically
same neighborhood not demographically but chronologically speaking we’re all
but chronologically speaking we’re all
but chronologically speaking we’re all in the same space some of these events
in the same space some of these events
in the same space some of these events if they haven’t happened for you already
if they haven’t happened for you already
if they haven’t happened for you already they will and it doesn’t matter where
they will and it doesn’t matter where
they will and it doesn’t matter where you live or what your zip code is
you live or what your zip code is
you live or what your zip code is because chronologically we’re all in the
because chronologically we’re all in the
because chronologically we’re all in the same space your work life is going to
same space your work life is going to
same space your work life is going to change your love life is going to change
change your love life is going to change
change your love life is going to change your relationships with your children
your relationships with your children
your relationships with your children are going to change and when you get to
are going to change and when you get to
are going to change and when you get to that point the big questions becomes
that point the big questions becomes
that point the big questions becomes what am I going to do with the rest of
what am I going to do with the rest of
what am I going to do with the rest of my life
my life
my life so chronologically we’re all in the same
so chronologically we’re all in the same
so chronologically we’re all in the same neighborhood
neighborhood
neighborhood but the good thing is that AARP we got
but the good thing is that AARP we got
but the good thing is that AARP we got boots on the ground a couple of years
boots on the ground a couple of years
boots on the ground a couple of years ago after the movie came out I had this
ago after the movie came out I had this
ago after the movie came out I had this opportunity to go to the Oscars and I
opportunity to go to the Oscars and I
opportunity to go to the Oscars and I mean as big as that thing is on
mean as big as that thing is on
mean as big as that thing is on television it’s even bigger in real life
television it’s even bigger in real life
television it’s even bigger in real life now why am I here I’m not just here I’m
now why am I here I’m not just here I’m
now why am I here I’m not just here I’m here because the biggest movie star in
here because the biggest movie star in
here because the biggest movie star in the world is nominated for an Academy
the world is nominated for an Academy
the world is nominated for an Academy Award for playing me so now it’s the
Award for playing me so now it’s the
Award for playing me so now it’s the Oscars on steroids I got two tickets to
Oscars on steroids I got two tickets to
Oscars on steroids I got two tickets to this thing whoo you go take I take my
this thing whoo you go take I take my
this thing whoo you go take I take my daughter hmm man I don’t know anything
daughter hmm man I don’t know anything
daughter hmm man I don’t know anything about women’s clothes but there’s this
about women’s clothes but there’s this
about women’s clothes but there’s this woman a beer away
woman a beer away
woman a beer away she’s supposed to be high she made my
she’s supposed to be high she made my
she’s supposed to be high she made my daughter address these good folks from
daughter address these good folks from
daughter address these good folks from this little company called sure part
this little company called sure part
this little company called sure part let my daughter borrow five hundred
let my daughter borrow five hundred
let my daughter borrow five hundred thousand dollars what the diamonds on
thousand dollars what the diamonds on
thousand dollars what the diamonds on her signature which is really my
her signature which is really my
her signature which is really my signature
I’ll walk behind her all night now say
I’ll walk behind her all night now say you better not drop nothing you know
you better not drop nothing you know
you better not drop nothing you know where’s my every man and you’re on that
where’s my every man and you’re on that
where’s my every man and you’re on that red carpet and you’re surrounded by
red carpet and you’re surrounded by
red carpet and you’re surrounded by every Rockstar movie star wannabe has
every Rockstar movie star wannabe has
every Rockstar movie star wannabe has been on the planet there’s a pretty
been on the planet there’s a pretty
been on the planet there’s a pretty heady experience but the very next week
heady experience but the very next week
heady experience but the very next week I had a speaking engagement right here
I had a speaking engagement right here
I had a speaking engagement right here in New Orleans
in New Orleans
in New Orleans the very next week the next Sunday and
the very next week the next Sunday and
the very next week the next Sunday and sometimes God doesn’t trust my hearing
sometimes God doesn’t trust my hearing
sometimes God doesn’t trust my hearing so he puts me in places to show me
so he puts me in places to show me
so he puts me in places to show me things I do my speaking engagement in
things I do my speaking engagement in
things I do my speaking engagement in the morning and something said to me go
the morning and something said to me go
the morning and something said to me go go see for yourself
go see for yourself
go see for yourself I went to a neighborhood called the
I went to a neighborhood called the
I went to a neighborhood called the Lower Ninth Ward I had never seen
Lower Ninth Ward I had never seen
Lower Ninth Ward I had never seen anything so devastating in my entire
anything so devastating in my entire
anything so devastating in my entire life
life
life imagine a cemetery where all of the
imagine a cemetery where all of the
imagine a cemetery where all of the tombstones
tombstones
tombstones the churches houses schools and
the churches houses schools and
the churches houses schools and businesses no people
businesses no people
businesses no people I see this one little old man he’s
I see this one little old man he’s
I see this one little old man he’s outside he’s he’s cutting the grass with
outside he’s he’s cutting the grass with
outside he’s he’s cutting the grass with a push mower I make the driver stop the
a push mower I make the driver stop the
a push mower I make the driver stop the car arcade just rolled by I make him
car arcade just rolled by I make him
car arcade just rolled by I make him stop the car I go over to the little old
stop the car I go over to the little old
stop the car I go over to the little old man and I don’t know what else to say
man and I don’t know what else to say
man and I don’t know what else to say but I say man you got your yard looking
but I say man you got your yard looking
but I say man you got your yard looking good he looked up at me and he said this
good he looked up at me and he said this
good he looked up at me and he said this ain’t my yard I live over there
ain’t my yard I live over there
ain’t my yard I live over there this is my friend’s yard and every time
this is my friend’s yard and every time
this is my friend’s yard and every time I cut my grass I cut his because I know
I cut my grass I cut his because I know
I cut my grass I cut his because I know one day my friend is coming home man now
one day my friend is coming home man now
one day my friend is coming home man now the first thing that went through my
the first thing that went through my
the first thing that went through my mind is do I have any friends like that
mind is do I have any friends like that
mind is do I have any friends like that that was not the big question the big
that was not the big question the big
that was not the big question the big question was have I been that kind of
question was have I been that kind of
question was have I been that kind of friend and I know now having lost Holly
friend and I know now having lost Holly
friend and I know now having lost Holly that I’ve been that kind of friend
that I’ve been that kind of friend
that I’ve been that kind of friend a year later back in New Orleans same
a year later back in New Orleans same
a year later back in New Orleans same neighborhood same house go over there
neighborhood same house go over there
neighborhood same house go over there and there’s that same little old man
and there’s that same little old man
and there’s that same little old man sitting outside but this time he’s not
sitting outside but this time he’s not
sitting outside but this time he’s not sitting alone he’s sitting under the
sitting alone he’s sitting under the
sitting alone he’s sitting under the newly planted shade tree and he’s
newly planted shade tree and he’s
newly planted shade tree and he’s playing checkers and I could tell by the
playing checkers and I could tell by the
playing checkers and I could tell by the look on his face and the smile in his
look on his face and the smile in his
look on his face and the smile in his eyes that his friend had come home
eyes that his friend had come home
eyes that his friend had come home that’s life reimagined we need to
that’s life reimagined we need to
that’s life reimagined we need to reimagine a place in our lives where
reimagine a place in our lives where
reimagine a place in our lives where communities mean something sometimes it
communities mean something sometimes it
communities mean something sometimes it takes an encounter with a little old man
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