Darryl Tookes

Note to a Friend,

Who knows where you are on your journey. But… Yes, it was something else! Dos hermanos from Puerto Rico finished one and two. A very close race, you would’ve loved it!

And there was a beautiful gray horse that we had our eyes on… It fell sideways and the jockey fell off, and the horse had to be disqualified, at the starting gate. That was sad. But it was what had to be done because the veterinarians wouldn’t have had time to check the horse.

While you were abroad, the first woman trainer won the Kentucky Derby. Exciting.

And of course, the Puerto Rican Brothers. Speaking English in heavy Spanish accents, during this age of ICE.

For years from inception, the Derby was dominated by Black jockeys. Racism got rid of that.

By the time you get back to the United States, who knows what they’ll be letting us teach here in the state of Florida.

I’m not bitter, and you know that about me, my mom saw to it that I would never be bitter. And I love you. And I love your guy — your companion for life - and I feel your love for each other, and for me!

But they’ve done some terrible things while you were gone. Including gutting the Voting Rights Act. And even if it’s not perfect legislation, the implications are not good.

I remember how excited you were when Pope Leo was announced. An American. It’s a good time to be Catholic. And understand the significance of one holy catholic and apostolic church. It’s a good time to be a Christian. To live by the Golden Rule. It always is.

But is it a good time to be human?

So that’s my homily for the morning. Written to Myself, and sent to a Friend.

Out on a limb naked… Welcome home.

Speaking of firsts … a photo from the story of my childhood. Mrs. Tookes, Tennis Champion Althea Gibson, Coach Tookes.