R.I.P. Ossie Davis

Vic outdid herself with this post. So much so that I had to share. From Vic's Blog:

The Day Ossie Died

"Here - at this final hour, in this quiet place - Black Love and Endurance
has come to bid farewell to one half of a team that held its brightest hopes
-extinguished now, and gone from us forever. For Black Love and Endurance is
where he worked and where he struggled and fought - his home of homes, where his
heart was, and where his people are - and it is, therefore, most fitting that we
meet once again to share these last moments with him. For Black Love and
Endurance have ever been gracious to those who have loved her, have fought her,
and have defended her honor even to the death."

One half of the most wonderful, inspiring, TOGETHER couple that Black Love
has had the pleasure of championing. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were the true hope
for Black Love. Black Married Couple. Black Relationships. Yes they fought for
civil rights and are amazing thespians and poets. But the way they affected me
is in their endurance. They made it through to fulfill the vows. Whatever
problems they faced, and I'm POSITIVE it was MANY... they handled them
internally and turned their unified face to the public every time. They held
hands and appeared on stage and on screen together; the fought world sized
battles together. They stayed in love, for as much as we know. I cried a little
this morning when I heard that he died. I only met him once when he was
presenting an award to me as an undergrad. I know he doesn't remember, but
meeting him was like meeting an idol.

I don't want to keep referring to the both of them as being gone. But they
were a unit. They were the example. Look Black Couples: attempt to be like Ossie
and Ruby. They are our grand examples. And now, no more example. Who do we turn
to now. I hope their impression was strong enough to give us strength to be our
own examples. Vernie cried the other day over the phone when i told her that me
and my baby almost split up a few weeks ago. He and I aren't perfect. And we
certainly have our share of problems. But resolving them then turning the
unified face to the world... is the goal. I pray that their example really
shines on for generations and generations. We'll need the light to guide us
through the years.

Goodbye Ossie. Thank you for the guidance and leadership. You
were our father figure in a time where people don't know theirs anymore.. We'll
keep an eye on Ruby till you can again.

Word.

Ossie & Ruby are all I want Zeen & Me to be. Partnered with my life mate though out time until death parts us. The example of their enduring love still lingers and provides an example for us all. The thing that struck me most about Ossie was his manliness in a world full of male pretenders. He was a gentleman with a regal bearing and that baritone voice that just made you take notice.

I can’t even imagine what Ruby is feeling and I don’t want to. All I can do is say a prayer and hope that she can face life without her other half.

RIP to one of the Last Real Black Men.