Crossing the Bar
"Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar."
By: Alfred Lord Tennyson
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On Sunday last every now an then I swore I heard your voice...
You came to America when? In the late 1960's... I remember you telling Daniel Jessie Cleveland Ms. Doris I and... about your long hair pony tail and motorcycle riding days back then. You came to America already trans cultural being both Thai and Chinese. Like many folk you have worn many hats...having owned stores sold flowers worked in almost all capacities in restaurants and...
Not in Thailand but in America you met and married...Pia a women from home in this new land. Then came as your wife has always called her "My Michelle" your daughter. At the market it was always Michelle is studying this Michelle is doing that Michelle graduated from Michelle is going to...
Back in the day from 1992 until the fire in 2007 on Sundays at the Flea Market at Eastern Market I set up across from you and Pia... It was the best time...In 2009 when I started writing about the market the love fun community friendship silliness kindness generosity diversity that I lived and witnessed was the driving force behind my words.
Meechai Charles and Sheila being 'wrong' and silly
It was these gifts that Meechai brought with him and gave freely to his new home: America. Like many after years of hard work and sacrifice Mr. Phulsuksombati suffered no fools if disrespected. It was on more than one occasion; his voice could be heard...(even above Jessie's) telling some idiot where to go to find the bridge they could jump off.
Meechai was ole school" don't start none won't be none". There are many many many Meechai stories...that ....well.... I aint telling but ask....Daniel about that time they lived together in West Virginia or about Meechai's Elvis impersonations or the many times he would cook up a huge pot of spicy chicken Thai style and bring it to the Market to share or about...
On a personal note: Once at a show in Bethesda; I was not having a good moment, my tent was blowing all over the place...from out of know where here comes Meechai with weights and wise counsel...He and his wife had a kiosks in the same area and saw me...
A gift given...it was not long after 9/11 that he and Pia became American citizens. I was honored to be asked to attend. I have a complex relationship with my country because of that 'pecular institution' and all the preceding history. However...the folk that come here like Meechai have added changed shared overcome given so much ...that, that day sitting there with Meechai and his family in this room full of everybody...what I realized was that they have given me America...our America.
Witnessing with love,
Sonda
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On October 24, 2015 Meechai Phulsuksombati passed away.
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I, Too
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.
Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—
I, too, am America.
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For Meechai and all those who loved him...because he would have loved this....
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