Chidren, poetry, African American ethnic

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DEDICATION

The Family Torree Knox, William Lee, Harry M. Simmons Carol L. Stratton, Cleavonne S. Stratton,James W. Stratton, Terrence L. Stratton, Anthony G. Townsend, Shannon Townsend

THE FAMILY

Harry M. Simmons - (Bunk) /1921 - 1983

I am a little prejudiced when it comes to writing about "Uncle Bunk". Not only was he my Uncle, but my father and my hero. A rugged man, who mixed cement by hand and drove huge bulldozers. A gentle man who loved jazz and painted with such emotion and dedication. It still grabs at every fiber of my being. He was a caring man, who I watched cry when his favorite collie, Dutchess, died. Who served his country with all the pride and guts of our greatest heroes, in a segregated army! He instilled a strong work ethic, strong family values and a sense of duty toward his fellow man. He would literally give the shirt off his back if you needed it. The fact that he had to place his artistic talent on the back-burner, so he could support his family, and purchase a part of the American dream was a sacrifice done willingly. He married a beautiful woman, bought a home and saved. He looked forward to his retirement years, in which he envisioned a life of fishing, listening to and playing jazz, painting and directing the family reunions that he loved so. He died suddenly a month after his retirement, never receiving his first check. A piece of me died with him. Yet I am so fortunate to discover his sketchings, drawings and paintings and realize the blood that ran through his veins, runs deeply through so many in his extended family. He once told me "...you can do anything you want when you forget how to spell failure." How ironic that we, his family, never thought to spell failure when it came to this collection, this book, his legacy,our beginning.

With Love,
Anthony Gordon Townsend

YING/YANG

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