Martin Luther King

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

(Picture of this morning's march honoring MLK. Marchers arrive at Sacramento Convention Center. As always the children will make it happen.)

Today started out with the sun shining. I thought this was all around but it happened that I woke up too early for a holiday. The sun shone as I started driving towards Sacramento. I parked far enough from my destination and this gave me a chance to walk around the capitol for a short time. It started getting cold and as I looked on the ground it looked like rain had come down not too long before my arrival. The squirrels were squandering about and it looks like some have gotten used to people walking around. I've noticed, not just this time, that some come up to you expecting a hand out. This probably scares some who would not be used to this. Anyway, it had gotten cold and as I got to K Street I began to walk west from 15th Street. I noticed there were quite a few people out here. I started to get cold and began looking for a coffee shop. Many of the shops were closed so I walked to 9th then up to J Street. Cesar Chavez park was empty and only a few people were walking about. I smiled at people as they walked by and to my surprise most smiled back.

I finally found a Starbucks and it just happened to be the one inside the Convention Center. I ordered a medium cafe Americano (I think they call it a grande but I thought a grande was a "big" or "large", no matter I had come in from the cold to enjoy the warmth). This was around 9:30 so I sat down to enjoy my coffee and I grabbed a Sacramento visitor magazine and began reading that. As I sat down I faced the street leading toward the K Street Mall. I noticed people coming in and out and I enjoyed watching them as much as I enjoyed my coffee or my magazine. I thought about Martin Luther King.

Inspiration, for me, comes from above. Today's celebration made me realize that today I was also receiving inspiration from above as I am sure that's were Martin Luther King Jr. is. Thinking of this I thought of his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech. I closed my eyes and I could almost see the black and white film of the reverend giving his speech. So insightful, so powerful, so Utopian in nature, so motivating, so intriguing, so full of messages, and so full of love. His speeches, as most sermons, touched the soul. I can see parts of the speech as I kept my eyes closed. I could almost hear his speech ring;

"Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

(Exhibit inside the Convention Center)

I finished my coffee and went outside for a little more walking. It had begun to rain a little so I tried to go inside the church right next to the Convention Center but the from door was closed. A side door might have been open but a homeless person was wrapped up in a blanket and a sarape so I decided not to walk over him to get to the door. "Dear Lord please watch over the homeless and the sick" a little prayer that came to mind. Actually this is part of my daily prayer at dinner time and I also take the opportunity to give thanks for food and everything I have. I walked around the corner and to my astonishment I saw a well dressed fox walking in front of me. I kept walking and then came to a marching band that was playing. Actually they didn't march at all they just stood and played. This went on for a while so I sat and enjoyed the music and took some pictures.

The Fox on a Walk

Later on the marchers began to make their way to end of their journey. I think next year I will walk the walk which seemed to take 3-4 hours. Some groups came singing, a couple of marching bands came through, people carrying banners some of the ones I saw; the Nichiren Buddhists for Peace, Education, and Culture, a couple of radio stations, the NAACP, Jewish Voice for Peace, Peace flags, American flags, a big group of Grant High School marchers, and tons of, my main man, Obama supporters carrying cardboard signs showing their support. There were also many children and teenagers showing the promise of the youth, those who will soon shape their thoughts, culture, and convictions. Hopefully they will carry on the dream of Martin Luther King. The future is their hands.

It was a nice day in the neighborhood.