Holding Lincoln’s Hand
By Dr. Joe Ferry
The story goes that at the moment of President Abraham Lincoln’s death, in a small bedroom of a rooming house filled with his closest friends and colleagues like Edwin Stanton, the one person who held Lincoln’s hand as he took his last breath was a doctor whom Lincoln did not even know. I find this intriguing. Of all the people present in that room, as well as the President’s wife who was just a few feet away in an adjoining room, a stranger to Lincoln, a doctor who happened to be attending the same play as the Lincolns that evening at Ford’s Theater, was the final human touch that Lincoln would know in this life when the end came.
I am not commenting on Lincoln as a president or even as a person. As is the case with most public figures, there were those who loved him and those who hated him. I never discuss politics or religion in my essays or books. No, I mention this story because I often wonder who might be holding my hand when it’s time for me to shuffle off this mortal coil. It used to trouble me. It does not anymore. I’ve lost far too many relatives and friends in 2020/2021, including my dear mother, to worry about shuffling off coils.
I have a beautiful photo of my sister holding my mother’s hand at the moment of her passing. I was not allowed to be there due to Covid-19 restrictions but I sang to her via Skype:
“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see you,
I want to see you.”
Mom could not have choreographed a better, more loving passing. Her beloved daughter holding her hand, her wayward son singing to her, the grandchildren praying for her beautiful soul via Skype. It was moving beyond words. In truth, I had a moment that day, December 20th, 2020, just as mom passed, when I thought, “I’ll probably crap out in some bug infested nursing home and it’ll be three days before they realize that I haven’t shown up for dinner recently.” But the moment was fleeting. I have too much to do. In the words of Lincoln himself, “It’s nonsense to worry.”
Even Abraham Lincoln could not have guessed that the last person with whom he would have physical contact, as he breathed his last, would be a total stranger. I figure all we can do in this life is try our best to be a blessing unto this earth, unto our fellow humans, unto the critters of the animal kingdom. Spread joy and love, do good, laugh.
I’m no philosopher, I’m just saying that we don’t need to know what’s going to happen from one moment to the next. For me, I’m going to make it a good trip. I don’t have time for bummers.
About the Writer
By Dr. Joe Ferry
Joe Ferry is a Grammy Award Winning record producer, guitarist and bassist; author of the critically acclaimed "Connected" book series, painter of international note, leader of Grammy Nominated Big Ska Band and Professor Emeritus, State University of New York. Dr. Ferry has produced hit records for Huey Lewis & The News ("It's Alright"), Dr. John ("Bluesiana Triangle") The Skatalites ("Skalloween" which he also co-wrote with Doug Munro), Toots & The Maytals ("Split Personality") as well as Big Ska Band ("Carry On") and hundreds more. Big Ska Band has toured throughout North America and the Caribbean for 25 years and continues to maintain a busy performance schedule.
The group has opened shows for such renowned artists as Iggy Azalea, The Skatalites, The Toasters, Drake, Gwar, Shwizz, Omar Souleyman, Rickie Lee Jones, The Meters, Milton Henry, Sister Sparrow and hundreds more. Big Ska Band records for Jump Up Records and its latest album "Big Ska Band" is garnering critical acclaim and airplay worldwide.