It seems as though another transitional period has begun at T.I. over the past week and heading into next week… so many guys are heading home or moving on to camp. It is such a strange experience when the releases come in waves like this because there is absolutely no indication that any of these guys’ lives are about to change in a matter of days and then all of the sudden… there is that little note on their bed that informs them to “report to R&D by 7am tomorrow” and this chapter of their journey (or their whole journey) is now over. One day they are wearing the khaki suit and standing for count twice a day and then just like that… they walk out these gates a free man.
Freedom… I will never take that for granted again… but I digress…
There is one guy in particular that I have been able to get to know pretty well over the past year that leaves on Tuesday and he invited me to his RDAP (the drug and alcohol program) graduation this past week in which he told me that he was going to give a speech. He is from Hawaii and we have had countless conversations walking the track or hanging out in the evenings in which he has taught me about his Hawaiian heritage… the pride that he has in his roots is something that I have been fascinated with and envied through our chats. He is one of those guys that is undeniably interesting… you can’t put your finger on what exactly it is about him that draws you in but something catches your attention. Maybe it is the cool and unique Hawaiian accent… the stories about the Big Island or the crazy style choices he makes in here with extremely limited clothing options… whatever it is… the “coolness” sticks to him and he wears it well.
So… I leave work once prep is done last week and head to the chapel to make it in time for his graduation and specifically his speech. I sit down in the back because I know that I am going to need to sneak out once I hear him speak and about 10 minutes after I get settled in… the officer that is “MC”ing the ceremony calls his name and asks him to come to the podium. To my surprise… as I see him walk to the podium… he is not alone… he has a guitar with him. I immediately just start smiling and shake my head… “of course this cool Hawaiian dude can play the guitar” I think to myself. He gets to the mic and tells everyone that throughout his journey behind these walls… music… specifically writing music has been such a saving grace for him… it has allowed him to express himself in ways that “non – melonic” words could not and it has transported him up and out of this place when he “just couldn’t be across the ocean from his family for one more second”. He went on to tell us that because of this… instead of writing and giving a speech today… he is going to perform an original song that he wrote…
He steps up to the podium… guitar in hand… and he says…
“This is an original song that I wrote… it is called… “Honey Please”…
Guitar starts to strum and he sings…
Honey please… Kiss my babies for me
Let them know how much I love them
And what they mean to me
And I’m sorry girl
For all of the things that I’ve done
God knows that I never meant to hurt anyone.
—
And I pray
You’ll find it in your heart to forgive
God knows that I’ve sinned
And I’ve repented to him
So… can you please
Wipe those tears in my soul
Tell me that you love me
That’s all I need to know
And I’ll never lie again
You’ll never cry again
I’ll get you by with my, my my my good lovin
—
Honey please… Kiss my babies for me
Let them know how much I love them
And what they mean to me
And I’m sorry girl
For all the things that I’ve done
God knows that I never meant to hurt anyone
—
And I promise you this
I’ll make everything alright
And we won’t ever feel the chill of another lonely night
So let my babies know
Their Daddy loves them so
Cuz their love keeps me warm in a world that’s so cold
What more can I say
To let you know it’s okay
Stand strong in your faith knowing there’ll be better days
—
Honey please… kiss my babies for me
Let them know how much I love them
And what they mean to me
And I’m sorry girl
For all the things that I’ve done
God knows that I never meant to hurt anyone
—
Anything that they want
They got it girl
And all the love that they need
I got it girl
If I could give them the world
I swear to god the stars shine for them girl
And whatever it is… I’ll do
To show you how much love I have for all of you
One thing I need you to know
Is I will never let you guys go
Till the end of our days
So Honey please… Kiss my babies for me
Let them know how much I love them
And what they mean to me
I’m sorry girl
For all the things that I’ve done
God knows
I never meant to hurt anyone.
There are no words to describe how deeply I felt his performance. I needed to write it down so that I never forgot the lyrics. Right after the ceremony ended I thanked him for sharing his art with us (me specifically) and asked him if I could have a copy of the lyrics because they really hit home for me. I had a copy the next morning.
What a gift.
I will never forget my Hawaiian Homeboy.
Stay Healthy. Stay Active. Kiss those babies for me.