There is a difference between good and great. To some they are indistinguishable, but it is not a matter of comparing two things. Just ask around. Matter of fact, you wouldn't have to say a word. Just observe, listen, and see the difference.
GREAT is built to last.
And great legacies are timeless, permanently woven into the fabric of our memories. I write this in dedication to the four gentlemen of Sigma Beta Rho who had lost their lives yesterday due to an accident. I may have never known them personally, but the way the Greek community and the people who were devastated by such news have come together is a true testament to the great legacies of those four young men.
I am also reminded of the passing of Anwar, a member of the Iota Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma. I never was close with him. We maybe spoke a handful of times at Greek events on campus and shared a session or two during socials. Then out of nowhere...he passed. I think it's crazy how much it affected me back then. Just a couple of weeks prior, we were just kicking it at a F.I.R.M. social and shooting the shit. I remember attending his candlelight vigil at the Reflection Pond and witnessing the bond, the tears, and pure love coming from his fraternity brothers, sorority sisters, friends, and family who were there to speak on his behalf. I stood there silent, listening intently, humbled by what I saw, and called my parents right after.
Growing up, expressing emotion was not a daily characteristic of my family. There was no "go get em' champ!" or pats on the back or lubby dubby moments. Maybe it was pride that hid the affection or fear itself that did not allow us to step out of line. It wasn't until the death of my grandfather in 2004 that I saw my family open up for the first time. It took a while to comprehend what I was finally witnessing. People who I thought were unwavering in the face of pain simply opened up and let their emotions flow. In a weird sense, our family dynamic changed. For the better of course. I believe my grandfather's death brought our family closer and allowed ourselves to open up a little more about the things that truly mattered. Simple things like "I love you" and "have a good day" were said a little more. Family gatherings on Sunday became a little more frequent. It is 2014. Ten years since his passing and so much has changed. His grandchildren have grown. Some moved out of state and most still here trying to make something of themselves. I last visited his grave three weeks ago. Spoke to him about my plans for the future and asked that he continue to guide his grandchildren. I hope he was listening. I have sent millions of prayers before. I am hoping he heard that one.
The passing of this life is guaranteed for all of us. The pain of absence is inevitable, the divine work of God is out of our control, but legacies are always in the palm of our hands. The impact on people that we will have left behind in this physical world will indeed be our own true testament. Their actions and sense of community will be our trophy. A new era will come of age. No words need to be said. So for as long as we have the opportunity to breathe and help one another...
Just listen, observe, DO what is right...while you can and when you can.
Simply doing Good is never enough though because Greatness is always within us.
-Jeff
