This has been a painful week. Two great men in my life died this week. One of my closest and most trustworthy friends, Sylvester Holmes’ father, Rev. Ahmad Holmes passed at age 79. Rev. Holmes introduced me to the 107 year old timeless classic by James Allen, twenty-one years ago “As A Man Thinkieth”. I am forever grateful to Rev. Holmes for that wonderful introduction. Debra and I will be traveling to St. Louis to attend Rev. Holmes’ memorial service. Just as I began to accept the fact that Rev. Holmes had passed I was startled to learn that music legend Michael Jackson had passed unexpectedly at the young age of 50. It is hard to imagine the world without Michael Jackson. He was truly one of the greatest entertainers of all time. My heart goes out to both the Holmes family and the Jackson family. I also extend condolences to Montgomery millionaires Greg and Vera Calhoun because I know how very close they are to the Jackson family. I still remember waiting for my former neighbor Greg Calhoun to call me to come down to his house and meet Michael Jackson’s parents. The call would never come, as frequently as Michael Jackson’s parents visited Greg and Vera the call never came. We are never ready to let the people who we love go. It does not matter if they are 79 as was Rev. Holmes or 50 as was Michael Jackson. It is all too soon if you love them. Debra and I will not be attending any memorial service for the king of pop, but the Jacksons and Calhouns will certainly be in our prayers. We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we travel to St. Louis, Mo. to pay our respect for a man who did far more than entertain me, but gave me a friend so dear and close that words can not express.