Men of a Certain Age: An Ode to My Brother-Brother on his Birthday.

Today should be a national holiday. It should be called "Isaac A.Fordjour Day." It is totally fitting that this day occurs in Black History month given Isaac's noteworthy accomplishments and his hyperpigmented state. Issac truly is Black History and he has been a integral part of my history.

What's so "thunked out" about it is that I met Issac approximately 20 years ago. Strangely enough, he walked up to me and told me "I'm going to be your brother!" He meant fraternity brother. Little did we know, we would be much more than that. As Issac approaches 40, its amazing for me to think that I have known him for half of his life. Without exaggeration, the last twenty years of my life have been greatly enriched because of his presence.

From the very beginning, Isaac has epitomized the very essence of friendship. His warm, open spirit was demonstrated in the way he opened up his whole family to me. From there all of his goodness was compounded tenfold. He and his family have fed me, clothed me, sheltered me, healed me, counseled me, consoled me, chastised me,........loved me. And it all started from a little skinny black kid telling me that he was going to be my brother.

So, I declare today to be "Issac Fordjour Day!" Celebrate this day by expressing your gratitude to your old friends or by opening yourself new friends. I suggest you do so while eating a cheeseburger... ketchup only. Ike-style. Who knows? You may gain a lifelong friend.