I hadn’t heard my mother carry on like she did a couple of weeks ago in a long time. But rightfully so, the loss of two legends in one weekend was overwhelming. Iasac Hayes and Bernie Mac left their extrordinary mark on this world. Remembering their lives made me think of another great man we lost that I worked with before he left this earth.
That’s right, I actually got a chance to work with James Brown on a music video in 2005.
Now he had always been my mom’s favorite and I knew I was going to bring her to tears with this photo of me along side Mr Brown with an autograph just for her. I remember going shopping for a special frame suitable for my masterpiece you see, and I found one. However, it was when I began to put the picture in the frame that a panic attack actually came over me!
I starred at the photo long and hard and began to think to myself “WHO IS THAT WOMEN STANDING NEXT TO JAMES BROWN? SHE IS SOO FAT!!” I was talking of course about myself! Now the thought of my mother taking my gift and placing it on the family entertainment center was embarrasing. That was almost 3 years ago and I am still embarrassed. Not because of the picture, not because of my weight No, I’m embarrassed that it was not until he died that I was able to find the real value in this image.
I was blessed to have been able to work with a man who lived up to all of the stories I had ever heard. His stamina and graciousness are what stick out most in my mind. I am proud to have been able to stand along side of him.
SO HERE LIES THE SECRET: Don’t let hangups or prejudices keep you from finding the real beauty in life. “Thankyou, Mr Brown, you are one of the legends, like those we recently lost that will continue to make an impact on us all!”
