Walter Alonzo Frazier, z”l, is my father and my buddy.
He had an amazing smile and a sweet presence. When he was gathered up to join the ancestors in December, I was devastated. One of the many things I loved about him was that, despite the obstacles that were thrown at this Black child born in an all-Black midwestern town in the midst of the Depression, he was determined to thrive, make a family and experience joy.
One of Dad’s most important lessons was for me to not get stuck in whatever was happening because, ”this too shall pass.” Not only was this his mantra -it was his way of life.
No matter the situation – winning national handball tournaments (he won many!) or getting that pacemaker, losing his best friend which broke his heart – he would remind me, “this too shall pass.”
“It can be challenging to believe this truth, but accolades and disappointments don’t define you. You have always been more than what others think of you,” he said.
So now, regardless of the sentiment coming my way, I smile, seeing dad in my mind’s eye and say, “you’re right, gam zeh ya’avor, this too shall pass.”
Dr. Koach Baruch Frazier is a Black Trans Jew, transformer, heartbeat of movements, healer, musician. @drkbfrazier
