Love from Peoria
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 8:18 pm
Richard -- I was born and raised in Peoria, and many years ago I had the priviledge of helping to care for your grandmother when she was in St. Francis Hospital. I also had the opportunity to meet Richard Pryor, Jr. when he was about 14 years old. Consequently, I've always felt kind of a personal connection to you, even though I've never been lucky enough to actually meet you.
I want to thank you for all the joy you have brought into my life. I'm a big fan of comedy, and while I've seen many excellent comedians perform, I've never seen one that could match your genius. Only twice in my life have I prayed for someone I didn't personally know. The first was when Bobby Kennedy was shot. The second was when you were so badly burned all those years ago. I was so thankful that you survived that ordeal, as I am thankful for your surviving the ordeal you are now facing. Then and now, you have faced and do face what life has brought you with grace, humor, and more class than anyone would think possible. All along you taught me important lessons about racism and bridged the gulf between the races with wisdom and humor. Now you are teaching me other lessons, lessons about what it means to be truly strong.
With all my heart, I thank you for being the man you are. I've always loved Peoria, and I find it a source of great pride to come from the city that gave the world Richard Pryor.
May the higher powers grant you a portion of the joy you have brought to us through the years. I hope they reward your inner strength with the physical comfort you deserve. Know always that you have reached a few of us white folk with your message of equality and that many of us treasure you for what you have taught us.
I want to thank you for all the joy you have brought into my life. I'm a big fan of comedy, and while I've seen many excellent comedians perform, I've never seen one that could match your genius. Only twice in my life have I prayed for someone I didn't personally know. The first was when Bobby Kennedy was shot. The second was when you were so badly burned all those years ago. I was so thankful that you survived that ordeal, as I am thankful for your surviving the ordeal you are now facing. Then and now, you have faced and do face what life has brought you with grace, humor, and more class than anyone would think possible. All along you taught me important lessons about racism and bridged the gulf between the races with wisdom and humor. Now you are teaching me other lessons, lessons about what it means to be truly strong.
With all my heart, I thank you for being the man you are. I've always loved Peoria, and I find it a source of great pride to come from the city that gave the world Richard Pryor.
May the higher powers grant you a portion of the joy you have brought to us through the years. I hope they reward your inner strength with the physical comfort you deserve. Know always that you have reached a few of us white folk with your message of equality and that many of us treasure you for what you have taught us.