The day I met Dr. King

[goclark]

I was in college and my sorority was having a Convention in Philadelphia.

Dr. King was the guest speaker and he was magnificent, simply the greatest speaker I had ever heard.

He spoke in a huge Baptist Church. The Church was packed, my AKA Sisters were lining the walls.

After his speech, the President of the Sorority asked all of the undergrads to form a line.

Then she announced that we were all going to meet Dr. King!
There must have been 100 of us.

When my turn came,he asked me my name and repeated it as he looked right at me.

He had the most magnificent brown eyes,gentle and sincere.
It was as if we were the only two in the room.

He held my hand and asked me what I planned to do after I graduated from USC.

I told him that I wanted to be a teacher.

He never took his eyes off of my eyes and he said, "You will be a GREAT Teacher young lady!"

He stated it as if he WILLED it to happen.

I carried his words with me everyday that I was a Teacher, a Reading Specialist, Gifted Coordinator for 50 schools in the Urban Area and a Principal.

Meeting Dr. King was a defining moment in my life.

Happy Birthday Dr. King, you would be very proud of me!

:party:

[Octafish]

1. Thank you, goclark.

Thank you for sharing your story.
Thanks also for your work as an educator.
Like Dr. King, you've changed the future in infinite ways.

KR

[goclark]

3. Octafish, I've always been one of your greatest fans!

Thank you!

[Octafish]

8. And I, Yours, goclark! Hey, didya hear we soon may see Dr. King's FBI file?

Hope for transparancy...

MLK's FBI Files May Soon See Daylight

By Talal Al-Khatib | Fri Jan 15, 2010 06:55 PM ET

On Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, the United States will commemorate the achievements of civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King, Jr.

While today we look at King with great respect and admiration, any student of history will know that this wasn't always the case.

King's efforts to end racial discrimination were seen as a threat by segregationists, white supremacists and even the government of the United States.

For years, King was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for allegedly having connections to Communists -- a charge King repeatedly denied. The FBI even set up a task force, labeling King the "most dangerous and effective Negro leader in the country." For J. Edgar Hoover, then the director of the FBI, King was almost an obsession.

CONTINUED...

http://news.discovery.com/history/mlks-fbi-files-may-soon-see-daylight.html

Thank you, again, my Friend, for sharing your remarkable story.
While I only know him through his works, Dr. King changed the course of both our lives -- for the better.

[goclark]

9. Wow! Thanks for the information

Please keep us posted ~

[Taverner]

2. Thank you!

Excellent story of an excellent man

[FrenchieCat]

4. Oh my! How wonderful this must have been!

Kudos for you meeting one of the greatest person there ever was! Wow! :thumbsup:

[goclark]

5. Thanks Frenchie Cat ~ it was extra special to me

I've often thought about the role of the President of the Sorority.

How wise she was to have him speak to each of the young Sorors.
I'm sure the older Sorority sisters would have loved to have met him, but the President wisely made it an extra special moment in our lives.

I wish that I could contact each of those that met him that day and find out how he shaped their future.

It should inspire all of us to take time to inspire a child. Let children know how much you believe in them ~ Dr. King was a TEACHER.

[omega minimo]

6. A proud and tearful Rec #5 Thank you for that gem.

:yourock: :toast: :grouphug:

[goclark]

10. Every year I would tell the children about my experience

meeting Dr. King.

As always,when I was a Principal in Michigan, I spoke at the MLK Day Assembly and told all the children how I met Dr. King.

The children were so excited and they would always ask me lots of questions about him.

Then one day a parent came up to me and gave me a big hug and she just started laughing ~

She could hardly get the words out she was laughing so sweetly.

She finally was able to tell me that her son came home and told her that Ms.goclark had met Abraham Lincoln!

Smiles

[omega minimo]

11. That's darling.

Your story made me cry perhaps because as little (and older) children in that era, his message and the zeitgeist of the era was we each can/must make a difference. It's lost now, I push for it a lot on this board -- most people have been disempowered. The vivid reminder of how REAL it was and how powerful it STILL IS (his legacy via your legacy) brought tears.

Such a simple, amazing thing.:hi:

[bobbolink]

31. Cool! Was he really a lot taller than you?

:)

What an experience.... I think I'm jealous!

I wondered what an effect it would have, because I've seen so many moving things, yet it doesn't seem to cause any effect. Knowing what this did for you is inspiring.

[goclark]

46. What a great question ~ MLK was 5'6 1/2 "

according to the link!


>Photo Born: January 15, 1929, 1:00 PM
in: Atlanta (GA) (Etats-Unis)
Sun: 25°11 Capricorn
Moon: 20°08 Pisces
Ascendant: 1°58 Gemini
Midheaven: 12°53 Aquarius
Chinese Astrology: Earth Dragon
Numerology: Birthpath 1
Height: Martin Luther KING is 5' 6½" (1m69) tall <


http://www.astrotheme.com/portraits/c38qQPR2gvuj.htm

That makes the experience even more powerful to me.

My father was 5'6 and I am 5' ~~
Standing in front of Dr. King was like standing and talking to my father! My father had beautiful brown eyes, just like Dr. King's.

When my father wanted to say something meaningful to me he always held my hand and talked to me.

Your question helped me to vividly remember conversations with my Dad that changed the course of my life ~ always for the better.

Just like Dr. King!

PS/ There is a lesson for all parents in my experience.... Take the time to hold your child's hand and look right into their eyes when you want your words to have an impact.

:hug: Happy :cry:

[Parker CA]

7. Wow. An amazing day that must have been. Thanks for the story!

[Fire1]

12. I'm sure he would be proud of you. Inspiring story. n/t

[goclark]

13. He had a Dream and so much of it has come true ~

When I think of that Dream Speech, he was Willing It to Come True.

That "Dream" that he had that day caused millions of people to think that his dream could possibly come true.

What a Giant!

[Fire1]

14. It's come true in some sense and not so much in others.

But the pursuit of that dream continues and that's what is important.

[goclark]

15. You are right ~ it is a work in progress

but he left a road map for us to follow.

[shireen]

16. WOW!!!

what an incredible honor! I was blown away by your account of the meeting. It was simply-stated yet very powerful!

[goclark]

20. Thank you shirleen ~ I will hold the experience in my heart forever

Sometimes in life opportunities knock and we fail to respond.

In my view,"Life is not a dress rehearsal, this is IT!"

People that know me understand that I believe " You can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket!"

I'm sure glad I had that ticket to Philadelphia!

[Number23]

17. Kicked and rec'd. Fantastic story, SOROR!

:hi:

[goclark]

19. My Soror ~ so glad to know you!

:hi:

[nofurylike]

18. k&r. what a precious gift, your sharing this with us, goclark!!

i was moved to tears. to hear of someone i so admire receiving that honor is deeply moving.

and for Dr. King's birthday, too...
:party:


thank you thank you very much!!!

:hug:



peace and soidarity, always!

[goclark]

21. nofurylike ~ Why are the keys on my keyboard wet?

You have always been so kind to everyone.

[nofurylike]

22. may the whole world know the blessing of bursting into tears from

something wonderful!!!

in this day of all we face; on this day of grieving the absence, while celebrating the existence, of one so moving and vital as Dr. King, it is precious to be touched by such as your beautiful story, dear goclark.

then, i receive your kind, cherished words....
gratitude!


i hope you will tell us more of your story!!

:loveya:


peace and solidarity, always!!

[goclark]

24. You are a gem

:hug:

[nofurylike]

26. *

:blush:

:hug:

[nofurylike]

23. kick so more get to read this wonderful story! nt

[goclark]

27. thanks nofurylike

We want to really celebrate the Bithday of Dr. King!

:party:

[nofurylike]

28. absolutely!! so much to celebrate!! thank YOU!!

:party: !!!

[nofurylike]

25. kick. something to shine through the grief of our day! nt

[nofurylike]

29. kick so all get to read this great story and celebrate Dr. King!! nt

[goclark]

30. Let's celebrate!

[nofurylike]

32. wooohoooo!!!! CELEBRATE!!!!!! yeah!!!!! we need some of that!!!!!! and Martin

Luther King, Jr. just absolutely DESERVES to be CELEBRATED!!!!!! :yourock:

:applause:

:bounce:

:party:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

:woohoo: :woohoo:


:toast:


ALL TOGETHER NOW:


You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And I'm sure you would agree
It couldn't fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
That they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace our hearts will sing
Thanks to Martin Luther King

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday

Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
All throughout the world

The time is overdue
For people like me and you
Who know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should never be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Ooh yeah
Happy birthday...

We know the key to unify all people
Is in the dream that you had so long ago
That lives in all of the hearts of people
That believe in unity
We'll make the dream become a reality
I know we will
Because our hearts tell us so


- Stevie Wonder 1981


CELEBRATE WITH ALL OUR HEARTS MINDS AND SOULS!!!
(constantly)


:hug:


solidarity always!!

[goclark]

35. Stevie Wonders song ~ what a wonderful tribute to Dr. King

Thanks so much for adding the words to this thread.

[nofurylike]

41. reading your story brought Dr. King back to life for me. i could see

him! and i could see you!

and it is clear you really saw each other!
o! precious!

thank YOU, goclark. thank you.

isn't Stevie Wonder's song just perfect?
"In full remembrance," celebrate!!

[goclark]

54. I forgot to mention that I met Stevie Wonder too!

I am serious.
When is Stevie's birthday?

I'll post it then ---- May 13th (1950) remind me
It was fantastic! :bounce:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevie_Wonder

[nofurylike]

55. OMG! YOU!! i will be reminding you, indeed! i can't wait to hear

all about it!!!

:bounce:
:woohoo: !!!

did you swoon? i wondered that as i was reading of your meeting Dr. King, too.

i will be looking forward to hearing of your meeting Mr. Wonder!! o my!!!

thank you so much for these cherished grins, goclark!!!

YES YES YES, JOY!!!!

and pouring tons of it back to you, dear goclark

[goclark]

58. I've marked his birthday on my calendar so that I can share

the event.

You will love it because the story is " Some kinda Wondaful!"

[nofurylike]

60. o my, i can't even imagine how "Wondaful"!!! i will wait, but i'll be

itching to know!!

thank you so much for delighting me, us, dear goclark!!!

more! soon! please!!

:hug:


peace and solidarity, always!!


btw, figure you gifted grins to this tired ol' activist here in massachusetts...
y'know?
among other dismaying developments around this tired ol' world....

wow. GRATITUDE!!! :hug: :hug:

[nofurylike]

33. and a kick! nt

[nofurylike]

34. and a kick! nt

[dana_b]

36. that's a great story!

Happy Birthday Dr. King!

[TexasObserver]

37. Recommend

[Hekate]

38. That is one of the best, most inspiring, first-person stories I've ever read.

I appreciate your sharing it more than I can say. :hug:

Hekate

[goclark]

48. You made my day Hekate

:hug:

[Starry Messenger]

39. He would be proud of you goclark.

Thank you for this post.

[goclark]

50. As I read over the remarks from this post

I am thrilled beyond measure that my experience will inspire others to encourage this generation of young people to reach for the stars.

I believe that Dr. King would be proud of everyone that works to make his DREAM come true.

Let's make HIS DREAM happen!

[happy_liberal]

40. Beautiful story

Thank you! I believe that wonderful man was America's prophet and we still have so much to learn from him.

[DeadEyeDyck]

42. what a time to be alive

I wasn't born for another two decades. We need another King now more than ever.

[goclark]

51. Yes We Do nt

[nofurylike]

43. kick for the night folk to receive the pleasure of this gift. nt

[EFerrari]

44. Omg. I'm so jealous.

You lucky person. I would have given my long raven hair to meet Dr. King. lol

:party:

[nofurylike]

45. kick

[goclark]

52. Thanks for your joy!

What a DREAM!

[nofurylike]

56. YES, "what a DREAM!" !!! Joy back to you, dear goclark!! nt

[H2O Man]

47. Beautiful.

Wow! This made my day. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[goclark]

49. H20 Man ~ your posts have made many of my days

I value your words.

[omega minimo]

53. .

[Bucky]

57. Wow, thanks for posting

[goclark]

59. Txs Bucky nt