remembering the dreamer giant

When I see this picture of Josh, I am reminded of his days at Tougaloo and the light that he so easily exuded. He was a giant; not only in stature, but in heart and soul. Seeing him go after his dreams inspired me personally to know that all things are possible to a willing heart if one is ready to dream big, take risks, and put in the work. His life had merit because he was not afraid. The sky, although he could reach it better than most, was not too distant-- the unreachable attainable.

Josh represented the best of who we are and what we can become. When I learned of his sudden departure from the classroom of life last Friday, my heart was overwhelmed. Surely, this dreamer still dreamed and had plans for continuing the great work he had begun. I was perplexed, and more precisely, devastated. Sitting under the stars that night, and sipping hot cinnamon tea, I gave thanks for the chance to know him. I gave thanks for his life. I cried for his mother and those who loved him. I cried for him.

The best tribute we could offer to the life and legacy of our beloved Master Chef is to live "master lives". And by that I mean to go after our dreams with abandon but not without surrender. When we choose to do anything good and uplifting, there will be forces hell-bent on discouraging us and getting us off course. It becomes supremely important to do all that we can do, but when our finite resources are insufficient, we can turn to the infinite. We can turn to a power far greater than ours. Sometimes that help may come in the form of a therapy session, or through meditation, a book or a conversation. But come, it must.

"For those who are among the living there is hope"

Ecclesiastes 9:4

I will forever remember the laughter, the dreams, and the man that was Joshua Marks. May his light continue to serve as a light for us all... Until we meet again.

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