First and foremost, I will remember him as not only as a giant of a civil rights leader, but as a leader for all people everywhere. He led with so much passion, courage and grace.
He was mighty.
I loved him.
Heartbreaking.
( OMG! Someone please take The Occupier's phone away. And glue his lips together. With crazy glue.)
I am literally heartbroken over Elijah Cummings death. Such a loss! I loved him too!
I man of decency and love of this country, even with all it's faults. A loss at any time, but especially now, when we needed him the most. RIP Elijah Cummings. You will be missed.
So sad about Elijah. Rest in peace Elijah! (though something tells me he will be continuing to support and stand up for us all from the other side). ..."In recent years, Cummings seemed particularly aware of the ephemeral nature of his existence, and the mandate we all have to seize the minute we're given. More than once, he could be heard discussing the prospect of "dancing with the angels,"....
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a29499023/elijah-cummings-first-speech-congress-time/
Trish, thank you so much for that wonderful article. I'm too shocked at this news to say much, so I will just put two quotes of Mr. Cummings from that article below. They are, I believe, a gift he left behind to all of us among a lifetime of service to others.
"When we're dancing with the angels, the question will be asked: in 2019, what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact? Did we stand on the sidelines and say nothing?"
"I only have a minute, only sixty seconds in it... Just a tiny little minute, But eternity is in it."
May he dance with the angels and remain in our memories as a blessing.
He gave me strength. Watching him and feeling the light going through him gives me strength every time I watch this video.
Speaking to a red rimmed Michael Cohen who is finally telling the truth to Congress, he says, "This is part of your destiny, and I mean that from the depths of my heart. When we are dancing with the angels, the question will be asked, In 2019 what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy in tact?"
When asked about his not liking the PResident and being biased he said,
"This is not about liking or not liking the president. This is about democracy! This is about generations yet unborn. That is what this is all about! And I'm begging, I'm begging the American people to pay attention to what is going on. Because if you want to have a democracy in tact for your children and your children's children and generations yet unborn, we have got to guard this moment."
According to the Baltimore Sun, he died in hospice. He's been ill for some time, but chose to keep it quiet. His wife notes here that he worked up to the end. I read elsewhere (but now can't remember which news site) that he was still signing bills and paperwork from his bed the day before he passed. My gut tells me he had his ducks in a row, and as Chair of the Oversight Committee he gave plenty of instruction and documentation on how and where to go in his absence.
As noted above, he knew what we were facing. I'm sure he'll be watching from above as this all goes forward. Tho somehow I think he'll have less worry about the outcome from his vantage point. He was very eloquent. He will be missed. I grew up in Baltimore, but moved away after high school, so his tenure was after I was gone, meaning I was not as aware of his work until the last few years, unfortunately.
I just can't get past the fact that Elijah Cummings is gone.
What kind of world would let him, of all people die, and to leave us with the likes of Moscow Mitch? And how many hearts will Dick Cheney have transplanted into his body, before they realize that none of them want to live there?
LOL ROTF!!!! (The part about the hearts that don't want to live in Cheney) I saw the movie with my husband about Cheney (VICE) it was great - gives a real view of how the GOP planted the seeds that have enabled them to be able to get away with so much.
Sometimes people do even greater work after they pass. His words are already being replayed by millions. He's becoming a kind of saint and a model of heart strength like Martin Luther King.