There are some people who feel like they are born experts. And I assure you, Lynn Rush was one of those people. According to her she was born with unquestionable skills and diverse talent in any area our "simple" minds could imagine. That's how she was able to justify "borrowing" my car one Saturday afternoon while I was napping. Sounded absolutely reasonable to her. It was a quiet Saturday afternoon. She and her sisters wanted something fun to do. That settled it! Got the keys. Started the engine. Lynn. Bobbie. Niecy. Trina. "Jetted". Zayre's Department Store was the destiny.
According to Lynn's assessment all was well. After all she was twelve years old and ready to take responsibility for her life, her actions and her family. No problem. The car was perfectly parked, confirming Lynn's view of herself as the newly self-appointed family matriach. How could anyone even think she would not be able to handle driving the family car. At twelve she knew she was qualified to take on any situation. Hey, she and her sisters, "The Dalton Gang" were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Not a care, not a worry.
Funny though that even the most brilliant plans can come to a screaching halt if the right person (maybe I should say the wrong person lol) suddenly enters the world of a genius. Well "Mothas" plans got turned upside down when Miss "grown-up" and the "Daltons" ran into Granny while they were at Zayre's. This same self-proclaimed genius instantly became the "Idiot for the Day". When Granny questioned her, Lynn could not come up with one explaination, alibi and get this not even one lie. (Lying was supposed to have been one of her greatest talents - Before Christ-) As you have probably figured this adventure did not end well. Lynn and the "Dalton Gang" were caught, punished and became the worst car theives to grace the hood that year.
Lesson learned - Parents and of course grandparents can love even the most crazy, pitiful self-proclaimed 12 year old car thieves. Signed "Mommie"
There needs to be a thunderous roar to spread the story that she wrote:
Oh trumpet sound the melody in hope that all will hear the sad song of a country that bore her and yet failed to lift the banner high enough to possibly change her plight.
A "nation" of people who knew and loved her share the same story, though tragic, but oh so familiar. A truth told of tears shed for brothers, sisters, and all of those kinfolk who have walked the very same path. This troubling destiny endured by this woman is hard to forebear because some complacent minds only saw a woman, a sickness, but never saw her realness or her character or her might.
Oh listen, we cry! Oh hear us, we cry! Oh feel us, we cry! Oh help us, we cry!
A pill, or a test or a pick-line - these are remedies of convenience but not her cure. Yes they help, but a cure would do so much more to soften the tunes from the sad songs you sung and we sung while she suffered, waitng, hoping that you would look in her eyes and see her- How wonderful she was. For those who knew her and loved her, a gift from heaven to cherish and love!
But you never really looked in her eyes and you missed the greatness of the harmonies that reigned in her; not only in her voice (while beautiful it was) but more importantly in her soul. She and all that follow her path are worthy to be hailed with dignity and respect, remembering the one that created them is watching from above.
Sound loud oh great trumpet, don't ever stop lifting your voice to tell her story. She left behind so many a notes to be played even if some refuse to hear them. No you are not God, we don't argue that point. But you do have more to give to make the story she told you worthwhile. No longer can our world afford to lose these precious jewels that fought for justice and equity because you do not hear and do not know the songs of these our children gone. Love Mommie
PS: (Why I wrote "The Trumpet") Even during the last months of Lynn's illness she had to address the mis-conception that she was only seeking drugs, although she was suffering from many end-of-life conditions related to Sickle Disease. Sadly not only is racial profiling found in the legal field but by many who are culturally, socially, and racially ill-equipped in the healthcare arena.
Unfortunately, there are currently few if any conclusive clinical trials being conducted in order to improve, advance and/or cure Sickle Cell. What a sad commentary for the field of clinical research.
This is the first heredity disease identified as a "point mutation" making research benefical to many that suffer from hereditary conditions. I feel, along with many other minority health care professionals that this research is often negated because it primarily affects minorities. Think about it. - The Trumpet!
