The weeks just past have been a time of trial and perseverance. 

I cried at the death of a young man of nineteen, holding tightly to his parents and other relatives as we struggled to absorb the shock.   Andrew Siebenaler’s death gave me pause to remember how distressing it was to watch the mother of my dear friend Darlean Coleman bear up under the loss of her child early last year. There is something horribly inexplicable about children dying before their parents; it is simply not the way of the order.  I rushed home to find Barbara Kingsolver’s novel Animal Dreams and read again the passage where the main character, commenting on the news that her sister had been murdered in a foreign country says, “Life is so stupid I can’t stand it.”  There are moments and days when one feels this way – and it takes a trip far into the recesses of the heart to resist staying in that sad frame of mind.

Just prior to the above episode, I had rejoiced at a special celebration in honor of my foster mother, at a dinner with a long unseen schoolmate from childhood and her family, and again at a birthday party for one of my closest friends.  On each occasion there was restorative laughter and that certain sense of renewal brought on by rich camaraderie. I was also reveling at the time in having international opera star Marquita Lister visit with us to present a simply delightful recital for some patrons and friends of the Foundation.  Joining Ms Lister on that program was a young man who is eighteen and a freshman majoring in vocal performance at a Florida university.  Emorja Roberson had a remarkable story to share with our guests, and followed his brief comments about the value of our Foundation for him and others like him with an impressive performance of his own.  Young people of his ilk bring joy to me and cause me to think that — when lived with gusto and purpose — life is not so stupid after all.

 Our Board of Directors used the recital dinner occasion to kick off a month-long effort to garner generous year-end gifts from our patrons.  The monies raised will primarily support  our recent move to leased office quarters of our own, and all the attendant costs.  It is my hope that every person who has not yet done so will send a donation to help the cause.  We need your investment right now if we are to continue to thrive in such a tough climate.  Please contribute whatever you can.

In earnest,

Rudi Cleare