That there is nothing weak about kindness and compassion

~ Live & Learn

It has been remarked that Elijah was a kind man. I tell my daughters—and I have to say, listening to Elijah’s daughters speak, that got me choked up. I am sure those of you who have sons feel the same way, but there is something about daughters and their fathers. And I was thinking, I would want my daughters to know how much I love them, but I would also want them to know that being a strong man includes being kind. That there is nothing weak about kindness and compassion. There is nothing weak about looking out for others. There is nothing weak about being honorable. You are not a sucker to have integrity and to treat others with respect. I was sitting here and I was just noticing the Honorable Elijah E. Cummings and, you know, this is a title that we confer on all kinds of people who get elected to public office. We’re supposed to introduce them as honorable.

But Elijah Cummings was honorable before he was elected to office. There’s a difference. There is a difference if you are honorable and treated others honorably outside the limelight. On the side of a road; in a quiet moment, counseling somebody you work with; letting your daughters know you love them…

~ Excerpt from former U.S. President Barack Obama’s eulogy yesterday honoring Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland (Read full text of eulogy @ The Atlantic, October 25, 2019)

29 thoughts on “That there is nothing weak about kindness and compassion”

    2. Sawsan, are you EVER sleeping? Such deep and soulful words at this time of your night…. I bow before ‘thee’ too – I’m just about ready to do some shopping, it’s 12pm here….

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  2. OMGosh, I knew about this man’s reputation and I’ve followed some of his highly impressive ‘speeches’ on YT, I knew how loved he was, but Obama’s eulogy brought a flood of tears to my eyes. I too bow deeply in recognition of two honourable and kind, precious and outstanding human beings, one lost to the world, the other one hopefully still with us for a very long time.
    Thank you for this upload. Would I find somewhere the whole text?
    Have a GOOD Saturday, all of you, friends, readers, all…..

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  3. Two beacons of hope and decency, one whose light we have lost, and one who will hopefully be with us for years to come. Thanks you for this share, pal. As you say, a welcome respite in the divisive days….

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  4. I HAD to read it although I have a zillion urgent things to do – the tears are spilling, still – how can I drive a car now?! So good to know how many decent, honest, honourable people are also living on this planet and not to forget a minute about them over the upheaval you have at the WH….
    Hope you forgive me ‘riding my hobbyhorse’ about using my English spelling – I do it with glee and a smile, every time.

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  8. Thank you for that. Having been an elected official for 17 years, it rang so true for me and for those I mentor. All those qualities are so important. It is about servant leadership.

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  10. Beautiful words by an honourable, kind, compassionate man. No, there is absolutely no weakness in being any of these things. I hope my boys understand this fundamentally – their father was all of those.

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