Rest In Peace: Dr. Ted Childs

I have been trying to figure out what I can write about my grandfather.

You could Eulogize my grandfather just by listing his gifts to humanity. Even with all the extensive accomplishments, it wouldn't even touch his importance.

When I think of my grandfather, I think of the vision he instilled in me a vision I have been able to share and will pass on to his family.

We were never close in the traditional senese. We never went fishing together, played ball together, I remember when we had our first coversation. You know where one person talks and another responds in kind. Normally my grandfather would just talk, tell stories and I would listen.

My grandfather would say things like, "you can't make your bed like that and expect to be in the Military," as if that mattered to me. "What type of kid doesn't drink whole milk?" And when I became a vegetarian, "eat some chicken it won't kill you."

More importantly he asked me probibing questions like "how do you identify yourself?" and then explaining that while I may see myself as Jewish, the world sees me as Black.

Or little gifts of knowledge while he looked down mixing his grits, "We as Black people have an obligation to help one another. Just because you have made it doesn't mean you just forget the ones that haven't. And Just because some of them are to ignorant and tell you you ain't ghetto enough doesn't mean you stop trying. We have an obligation to help each other."

Grandpa was so inspiring, but to me he is my guide; he is the high beackon I need to pass.

Rest In Peace, I love you and miss you