Coretta Scott King

Today there are four children that have lost their final parent in death. There are many topics of discussion that could surround the passing of Coretta Scott King. It could be the politics, racial, economic or even personal lives of the Kings. We could talk about the eulogies given or what this means for the future.

But what it still comes down to is that four children lost their final parent in death. Many of us do as will our own children. This is a fact of our human existence.

In the eulogies given, two former U.S. Presidents gave a word to this. Former President Bush noted, "We give thanks for her good life, a life that mattered, a life well lived." While former President Clinton added, "we would have all forgiven her, even honored her, if she had said ... 'I have endured enough dangers, toils and snares. I'm going home to raise my kids. I wish you all well. But instead, she went to Memphis and led that march for those poor, hardworking garbage men."

Our current President, George Bush in his eulogy said, "Coretta had every right to count the cost and step back from the struggle. But she decided that her children needed more than a safe home - they needed an America that upheld their equality and wrote their rights into law."

In all of our struggles in life, Coretta was a mother of four children that endured her pain for the sake of others. Through her she worked to bring something good for others. Servitude to others while overcoming heartbreak in the loss of her husband. I can't say how she personally dealt with the death of Martin, but a strong and giving person she seemed to me.

All of us can garner a lesson in this story of life throwing curves at us. We have expectations and dreams of a marriage lasting forever, the lives of our children and living a successful life. But as death and "lifes happenings" are encountered to challenge us, what we do in the face of those challenges is what makes us successful or not.

And in the final analysis of all these great things that Coretta did with her life, with all of the topics discussed and debated, I have a certain belief that she would list one of these at the top. This would be that she was the mother of four children and that she did everything she could to make life better for them. For a moment let us look past all of the speeches and look upon four children that have lost their mother.

In ending, I have to quote the Rev. Lowery, "after almost 40 years, together at last, together at last, thank God almighty, together at last. Good night, my sister."