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50 Years of Thankfulness

 50 Years of Thankfulness

"When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age." - Victor Hugo




 Paraphrasing Shakespeare, " All I can do is say thanks, thanks and ever thanks!" As I close in on my 50th birthday. I am clearly focused on God's grace. Every blessing and good thing has come from Him. In reaching this milestone I know I would not be here without the people God strategically placed in my life. Each person was vital in molding me into a man. At the top of that list are my mother and father, Grandmomma, Uncle Eddie, Aunt Rose, Aunt Lou Bee, Aunt Sheila, Aunt Pam and Godmother Barbara Oxner. Their love encouragement and challenges made me think and pushed me beyond mediocrity. They are the defining influences of my 50 years. 
I am forever grateful to Zion/New Jerusalem Churches and Pastors T.T. Thomas, Bishop Edward T. Cook, Pastor Willie Mitchell and Pastor Dennis Butts men who loved God and lead by precept and example. Where would I be with these men's commitment to faithfully dispensing the Word of God and showing me what it meant to be a godly man.
The amazing point of my journey is that at every juncture the Lord placed people in my life to move me to the next level. At Bowling Green State University it was Joe Martini, Pat Hicks, Clarence Terry, Barbara Jameson and Dr. Paul Olscamp. Without these people I would not have finished college, graduate school or started my professional career in higher education. Then there is my BGSU crew of which there are too many names to mention but you know who you are. Each of you kept me grounded and on the right track. After BGSU it was Dr. Marvalene Hughes and Dr. James T. Harris professional mentors that formed me as a leader in higher education. These two presidents mentored me and freely shared their advice and encouragement and still are promoting my potential. 

Proverbs 17:17 said that a brother is born for adversity and the journey has been made lighter because of my brothers. First my blood brothers, Rodney, Jamal and Robert. Then there are my adopted brothers, Mike Mckittrick, Raynard Cooper, Norman Hinton, (the parents of these first three also shaped me, Mr.s and Mrs.s McKittrick, Smith and Hinton) David Young (cousin), Henry Matthews, Dennis Ford (cousin), Damon Moats, Darryl Bennett, Ike Thorton, Derrick Freeman, Arthur Lee, Jeffrey Campbell, Monty Williams and my new brother, Dr. Keith Reeves.

Then there are the sisters/friends/encourager: Denise Golden, Karla Starks, Angela Henderson, Lynn Stoeckel, Ruth Peebles, and Patty Cloy. 
Every person needs an Apostle Paul (mentor), Barnabas (brother) and a Timothy (mentee). I have mentors and assisted many young people and family members. I am proudest of my brother Robert (and my sister in law Toni), cousins Raphael Holloway and Fred Jones, II. From my inner city work the people that standout most are Vincent Kelly, the Boursiquot Brothers, Shamile Louis, Ashley Caycedo, Crystal Auguste, Dawit Demoz, and Davarius Williams. There are so many more I am equally proud of too.


It has been said that family is where life makes up its mind. My first cousins in the Woodley and Jones families are too many to name individually formed my character. My mother's brothers were my first role models. As the oldest of over 40 grandchildren on the Jones side I was told from my earliest days to be an example to my younger cousins. My Woodley cousins were my older sisters and brothers that gave me insight into the larger world. My extended cousins also to many to name have a constant source of support. Especially my sister/cousins Denise Saxon, Debbie Johnson, and Arlene Bond. Serving my nuclear family my sons and their mother taught me how to sacrifice and give from the heart. It was in the context of family that I learned how to become a spiritually lead and pray selflessly.


Entering the next phase of my life I humbled each person's love and support of me. At this age many people are just waiting to die rather than fighting to live. I am inspired by each of you to give more, love more and serve unselfishly because that is what I have received from each of you. At 50, I am a man who is in the words of Pastor Willie Mitchell, "Blessed Beyond Human Comprehension!"

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