Opinion
We always think of success as being an achievement to some higher status, but Bob Lee fought for his place in the world from the very beginning, his achievement was life itself. We will miss his warm smile, wit and intellect, his musical knowledge and joie de vie. This was his heart home, he belonged, he was one of us and he will be missed by so very many.
Before arriving on the Island in July, I drove through National Military Park where monuments from northern and southern states dominate centuries-old fields of brilliant green, soon to turn golden, and where wild native plants populate the fields buffered by rock walls and split rail fences, looking much as they were in 1863.
I have heard it said about the Martha’s Vineyard branch of the NAACP that it is the most ethnically mixed chapter in the entire country and indeed, since its inception 50 years ago its sense of mission has been equally appealing to both black and white Americans.
When someone dies, you comfort yourself and others with statements like, “At least she is not suffering anymore” or “He died doing what he loved” or “She lived a long and full life” or “He has gone to a better place.” Or if it is a baby, you say, “Little one has gone to be an angel.”
As every Gazette readers know, the Chilmark Road Race just celebrated its 36th year. The Gazette has been a big part of the race’s success with reporter after reporter writing wonderful pre-race and post-race stories along with magnificent accompanying photos from Alison Shaw, Peter Simon, Mark Lovewell, and others.
I have to come clean. The race results for the Chilmark Road Race are in error. I, James Graham did not really run that fast this year. I did not finish number 5, right behind Steven Rattner in the 60 to 69 age group. I know the CRR permanent record book is besmirched but there is a semi-valid reason.