Lambda Senior Farewell Speech May '99
The first person I met coming to BU was Mr. Byron Nakamura aka Coco B. Ware.
This funny little guy with his pigeon accent I couldn't understand half of
what he was saying! Little did I know that this little, short guy *pause*
was a MAN of great stature, and would become my closest friend.
"The best mirror is an old friend."
Looking back, I know now that something was WRONG with me, my character, my
integrity, many things. When Coco persuaded me to join, I said, "What??
Me? In a frat? Why join a bunch of drunk losers?"
But he introduced me to the brothers and explained that it wasn't like that.
The brothers told me that if I ever needed help in classes, some brother has
probably already taken that class and could help me. I thought that was great!
This organization can help me improve my grades, plus help me with my social
skills, and so I joined.
"Chance makes our parents. Choice makes our friends."
But the benefits were much more than just grades and working on my social skills.
You see, before,
I believed I didn't NEED anyone; I was WRONG.
I came in thinking I was the MAN; I was NO ONE.
I came in COCKY; I was HUMBLED.
I came in KNOWING it all; I knew NOTHING.
The first time I got to know GI while he was pledging, I was in awe. I was
inspired. I had never met someone with such unquestioned INTEGRITY. He was
a man of his WORD, and that was that. He had no fear, and I wished I was
like that.
When I got to know Coco better, I saw his strength in friendships laid in
ACCEPTANCE and HUMILITY. He did not judge. No matter who you were, whether
a bum on the street, to the nastiest jerk, he did not badmouth or comment or
put down. And he accepted me for who I was. He was laid back and content with
LIFE.. such SIMPLICITY. I envied him.
When I got to know Speed and Plucky better, I saw their SMOOTH, charismatic ways
when they socialized, and I wished that I had their CHARM and flair.
GQ had so much KINDNESS within him, that I learned two things... I learned of
GENEROSITY and one of the most difficult things to give away, kindness - It is
usually returned.
Hollywood, so deep in UNDERSTANDING, I wished I could see the world as he did.
During pledging Solo was so WISE and JUST in his ways, as if he had everything
already figured out, that I wished I would be even half of what he was.
Kami was so COOL and QUICK-WITTED, I wished to be like him too.
*Pause*
"To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person that you are."
I learned that those at WAR with others are seldom at PEACE with themselves. And
this was very true in my case. I had many internal CONFLICTS, and I still do.
I feared rejection.
*Pause*
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."
I feared that if I actually tried hard and FAILED at something, that meant I wasn't
good enough, so I didn't want to even try. But as we advance in life, we learn the
LIMITS of our abilities.
I've learned many things from all of you. I've learned the TRUE meaning of integrity.
Before, I never understood what the saying, "A MAN of CHARACTER" meant. I've learned
that there is more to life than just ME. I've learned much, and still have much more
to learn. It is SO true when they say that being a brother is far more difficult than
being a pledge. You must uphold certain values and STRIVE to achieve them every day.
I've come to see this organization, this fraternity, this entity, as my family.
A Forever Brother
Sometimes in life, you find someone;
Someone who changes your life just by being part of it.
*Coco*
Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop;
Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door
just waiting for you to open it.
This is Forever Brotherhood.
*Kami*
When you're down,
and the world seems dark and empty,
Your Brother lifts you up in spirit
and makes that dark and empty world
suddenly seem bright and full.
*Hollywood*
Your Brother gets you through the hard times,
the sad times, and the confused times.
If you turn and walk away, your Brother follows.
If you lose your way, your Brother guides you
and cheers you on.
*Speed*
Your Brother holds your hand
and tells you that everything is going to be okay.
And if you find such a person, you feel happy and complete,
because you need not worry.
You have a Forever Brother for life,
And forever has no end.
-
*Look up*
Many people will walk in and out of your life,
but only those that are true will leave footprints in your heart.
I will miss you guys.. *smile*
Spock
BU Beta Class
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