Miss Linda Hopkins Loves Me

Last night, awaiting the showing of a pilot for a new television sitcom produced by a friend of mine, I stood in the lobby of the Regent Showcase Theater. I recognized various television stars that were on shows I watched as a kid. Of course, the one I felt compelled to introduce myself to was Marla Gibbs, Florence, from "The Jeffersons" sitcom. My dad, Pop, loved Florence, especially when she hurled sassy and quick insults at Mr. Jefferson. As a son who was desperate to see a softer side of his father, Florence, Marla, gave me that opportunity. To see Pop laugh and leave his troubled world for a few minutes every week was a magical occurrence. So when I shook Ms. Gibbs's hand, I was doing so for both Pop and me.

I almost missed the beginning of the 30 minute episode. Opening the doors to enter into the theater, I saw this beautiful, elderly African American woman struggling up the aisle. Holding on to her walker, she took slow but confident steps. While others were busy scurrying to their seats or networking, oblivious to the older woman, I knew that the least I could do was hold the door open for her. She said to me in a soft voice, "When you got to go, you got to go." I laughed and replied, "That's true." I looked at all the people milling around in the packed lobby, and I knew that the woman needed an escort, someone to clear a path for her. "Do you want me to help you?" I asked. "Yes," she said. Moving through the crowd with my hands out, all I needed was my safety patrol sash and badge. I heard several of the people say, "That's Miss Linda Hopkins." The bathroom was up two flights of stairs. "Let me grab the rail. Then I'll hold your hand, too," she said. A few steps up, and she looked at me and smiled, saying, "I got a better plan. Watch this." She took both hands and wrapped them around the handrail, pulling herself up like she was climbing a rope.

Outside the restroom, waiting, I asked an actor whom I had just met if he knew who the elderly woman was. "Oh, that's Miss Linda Hopkins. She's a well-known blues and gospel singer. Sung on Broadway. Had a hit record or two. Sung with B.B. King. Mahalia Jackson discovered her."

"There you are," she said, coming out of the bathroom. "You gonna laugh at how I get down the stairs. You gonna laugh." I smiled. "Well, my mama has arthritis and knee problems, so she always backs down steps. "That's what I do," she said, laughing. "Do you have arthritis?" I asked. "No. I think it's from the stroke."

We missed the first few minutes of the show. As I held the door open for her to enter the theater, she turned to me and kissed me on the check. "I love you, baby," she said. "Thank you."

After the show I waited in the lobby. I had to say goodbye, and I had to honor the strong connection to her that I felt. "Hey," she said, "I need something to drink." I nodded. "Okay, I'll get it. They have water, wine, Coke, beer, liquor." "Wine," she said. "White." "They only had red," I said, holding the cup. "You want to try it?" She took a sip of the Merlot, scowled and then handed me back the cup. "I'll get my own when I get home." She kissed me on the cheek again. "I love you, baby."

It wasn't until I got home and found the YouTube videos of Miss Linda Hopkins singing that I realized I'd been in the presence of one of God's finest. She may have been known as a blues and gospel singer, but she was nothing more than a brilliant soul singer. Though her voice is now weathered and fragile, the words coming out of her mouth still have as much an impact as her commanding singing voice did, for the words are coming from a precious heart and wise soul.

I implore all of you to take a few minutes to listen to greatness. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x167e6_linda-hopkins-its-nobodys-business_music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N22aZuNTLB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErTkQK2Z-U0

Yes, I met Miss Linda Hopkins last night. And Miss Linda Hopkins loves me. And the Miss Linda Hopkins who loves me isn't the famous blues and gospel singer. The Miss Linda Hopkins who loves me is the one who after 84 years here still loves life.