Derrick Cooke

Derrick… I’m at a lost as I write this. After your death three family members also left us. I thought I was doing ok but I’ve been just going through the motions of grief. I’ve not had the time to truly grieve your loss. You mean so much to me…I can almost remember back to the first time I met you. Growing up in Williamsburg was hard enough as a dark skin brother. The treatment from my immediate family wasn’t always positive and they weren’t the most supportive. There were brothers in the sport that I knew but none quite as cool as you. As a 15 year old kid you were the person I needed in my life. You were handsome, strong, self assured and highly intelligent. All the things I wanted to be. Over time I would come to know your character, morals and righteousness. I always believed that you and the other young men on the William and Mary gymnastics team saved me from myself. In that there were many life lessons I never had to learn the hard way because I had you and others offering me a different view on life. You help me believe that I didn’t have to be like you to be successful but to try to always be true to myself. That has been the hardest thing to do. No matter what came my way no matter how many times I thought I wasn’t worthy, I tried to always be the person you thought I should be. Me. The last conversation we had, you had called me and I was on my way to get some Pho. We spoke and I had to come to terms that this part of the journey was going to be over for you but for me to keep doing what I was doing. After you hung up I sat there for quite a while and cried. I was being selfish but I wanted you not to go. I went and got my pho and brought it back to the my children and sat and was so thankful that I was still able to do that but feeling guilty that you would not be able to be there in person for your own daughters needs. And that’s where I’ve been since you told me. And then one after another my family members passing took a toll on my spirit. It’s only today that I can sit in silence in write this. I just want to say ‘thank you’ for all you’ve done and what you mean to me. You’ve left a legacy that will live on in all the folks that knew and loved you. Im thankful to the ancestors that knew I needed a brother like you and placed you on my path. Not a straight one but a crooked path well traveled because of you. Rest easy my brother. We’ll meet again…