Tomorrow

For those of you out there going through rough n’ tough times but yet you’re not cursing at the world and not cursing at those around you, well, that takes a lot of strength and you have a lot of class. When I was younger I used to blame others sometimes for my own doings but now I know exactly where to point my finger…at myself. What I’ve learned from my past misgivings and mistakes is that my focus now should be on not what took place yesterday but what am I doing today and what will I do tomorrow.
https://www.amazon.com/author/randolphcamp 

What Else You Got?

When I used to live in Buffalo I would sometimes go to my daughter’s house to watch my grandsons while she worked the evening shift. As the evening was winding down I would sit at the kitchen table, usually jotting down notes in my planner or writing manuscript notes for my next project.


As Anthony and his brothers gradually settled into their rooms for the night, Anthony would sometimes come out to the kitchen table and ask me a question or two (while simultaneously trying to sneak an extra night time snack). It was during these times, when Anthony would sit at the kitchen table with me, usually munching on a snack that he wasn’t supposed to have, and I got a chance to truly know the heart, the soul and spirit of this growing young man who had so many dreams. I was always impressed by Anthony because he had such a positive spirit and he wasn’t afraid to dream big.


It was during these table talks when I first realized how serious Anthony was about his goals. Yes, just like most kids, Anthony was playful but he also had a determined, driven side as well. When we used to chat at the kitchen table I could sense the seriousness in his eyes and in that certain tone of his voice whenever he would speak about running his own company one day.


Aside from being an avid biker and skateboarder, Anthony also had a great fashion sense, and he had plans to create his own clothing line one day. During one of our chats at the kitchen table one evening Anthony had asked me what was I going to wear at an upcoming classroom book talk at East High School in Buffalo. I told Anthony that I might wear this nice green shirt with my beige pants. I’ll never forget this particular evening with Anthony because of his response. Without making fun of my somewhat ‘too casual’ style, Anthony simply gave me a look and then asked, “What else you got?”


It’s been two months and a week since Anthony was taken from us. I’d mentioned to the Mayor of Buffalo that the city would benefit greatly if it built the nation’s largest indoor skate park, which is especially needed during Buffalo’s long, cold winters. I’m still making efforts towards getting the City of Buffalo to name a city park after Anthony, and once again I would like to thank all of you who took the time to write a letter to Mayor Brown. I want others in Buffalo and others around the world who visits Buffalo to know Anthony’s positive spirit. I’ll never forget Anthony and our many table talks. For real though, y’all should’ve seen that look Anthony gave me when he’d asked, “What else you got?” Yep, sometimes, a grandson have to school his grandfather.


*Photo (2012): This is my absolute favorite picture of Anthony (in the blue cast), with his older brothers Tommy and Tyler. Of all the pictures I have of Anthony this one stands out because his blue cast symbolizes his willingness to take risk, knowing that he may fall down sometimes. Anthony had a ‘let’s at least try’ attitude. It’s this ‘can do’, ‘will do’ attitude that I admire so much about Anthony, and this is why I’ll continue to fight for this very positive young man. – (Grandpa) Randolph Randy Camp