Ramondo's Life Sketch On July 22, 1980 in San Franciso, CA, Ramondo Arthell Rogers was born to Harold Rogers Jr. and Resa Johnson. He was the first grandbaby of Josie Cleaver and his great-grandmother, Flora Cleaver, who kept him in church. At six months, Reverend Paul Richardson prayed over him, blessing him into the family. Ramondo spent his childhood in Oakland with his father, who worked as a wrestling coach, and got Mondo on the mat for a couple of his own matches. He won some, he lost many. However, he never let it defeat him. He was a fighter. As well, he also golfed, played baseball, and ran track. Ramondo second home was in Sacramento, CA, where his mother resides. He attended Greater Faith Baptist Church with his grandmother, where he was saved and baptized. He enjoyed singing in the chorus that's where he found his love for music. Ramondo was always stylish and took great pride in his appearance. He owned 11 suits, as a baby. He wouldn't put on his clothes, unless the where ironed and crisp. He shoe collection was enormous and ridiculous, he didn't wear the same ones twice. When Ramondo got older, he traveled and resided in several different cities throughout California, even outer state. He couldn't sit in one place. The hustler in his blood, made him a jack of all trades. He was a rapper and entrepreneur of his own 'Blackboy' movie entertainment, which he sold movies and CDs, and he would have anything you need. If he didn't, he could get it. In 2003 and 2004, he became a father and had two beautiful daughters named, Giniviv and Renee, around the age of twenty-one. He played a huge role throughout their lives, letting his presence be known. He loved them with all in his heart. On April 6, 2019, Ramondo heard the voice of Jesus saying, come unto me and I will give your rest. He answered the call of the Lord. Ramondo joins his little brother, Deon Hill and cousin, Terrence Calhorn, and his grandparents Harold Sr. and Lucille. He leaves to cherish his memorybehind is two beautiful daughters, Giniviv Franklin and Renee, his 'olie olie.' His father, Harold Rogers; his mother, Resa Johnson (Fred Hill); three brothers, Decarlos Anderson, Ricarless Lipsey, and Jamel Hill; three sisters, Shaniqua, Dominique and Ziyiah; godsister Amber Bacchus; his grandmother Josie Cleaver; three uncles, Richard Rogers (Chalon), Gary Rogers, and Lamar Rochon (Debra), Billy Cleaver; aunties, Dena Cleaver, Rose Johnson, Kimmy Robinson, Camella Carpenter, Marilyn, and Monica; and cousins, Darnell Martinez, Shawn Jones, Johnny Tucker, Deshun Wren, Kamara Williams, and Stephanie Jeter; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and many friends. Ramondo Rogers is one in a million. He will be missed truly. ________________ Prayer Of The Newborn (Poem from his baby book; updated by Dominique Rogers) I am just born… listen to me! Only a day or so ago I lay safely within the warm liquid and quietness of your inner domain. Steer me away from harsh lights, noisy demonstration and whiffs of cold air I am just born.. stay close to me! A strong force has separated me from the body that nourished my every cell. I am afraid you may forget me in a glass cage, leaving me with strangers -- hands full of drugs-- all for my own good they say, already changing my natural equilibrium I am just born… nourish me! The food you took built every layer of what I am now. Give me the best you can, as you give to yourself. Let me feed from the strength of the sun and taste the fresh waters springs. Let the grass grow green and the sky remain transparent I am just born… be kind to me! The new air filing my little lungs causes me to react the rush of oxygen agites my whole frame. Under me if I cry, it is only a sign of being alive and expressing the abundance of odd sensation I am feeling. It is hard to be apart from you. I am just born… teach me! Show me in playfulness what you expect of me. I will learn from you and you can learn from my reactions where things went wrong in your past. Relive your life through me. Tell me where smiles stem from and caresses go and I learn to please mostly by imitating you. I am just born… give me strength! The world you have brought me into is filled with beauty but it is also made up of those out to kill, destroy and turn my new brain into a machine- part. Hold me well, guide me through each new clearing, push me through the waves. There will come a day when I will break away, but meanwhile show me way. I am gone... after a short appearance here on earth. I listened to everything that someone had spoken to me about. I stayed near to home, where my mom was. I educated myself with knowledge, and feed my soul. I was kind and gentle, like a big teddy bear, even in a evil, cold world. I taught myself how to grow unto the man I was, and the legacy I will leave behind to my children. Now, I'm more stronger than you ever know, leading the way to paradise, with a smile. __________________ Death is never to be feared Because separation is natural So we fertilize and water the seeds And through death flowers shall grow... Mondo, You're life was but a seed Planted in the hearts of men Brought into this last generation of ignorance and pain As we transition back to love and illuminating light again Caught up into the trials and ills of the world Sometimes it seems we lose our way But in the eyes of the most high God We never roam to far astray Our lives become a testimony Through the duration of which we lead Stories told in the spirit of love by those around us As we share Happiness in the midst of our grief You were the embodiment of a kind and gentle soul Always seen with that big smile on your face Puffin a square or puttin something in the air I'll never forget the day you told me how my bbq taste From that moment on Every time we spoke You'd ask "Bro when we havin that bbq again?" I'd laugh and say "Next Fathers Day" Taking for granted the time We all thought we had... Even though I share in the pain of your loss My heart refuses to feel sad For I know your spirit lives on within us And your soul rests in the heavenly place Of our recent ancestors And those of our ancient past You were a son, grandson, father, new grandfather, brother, cousin, female lover and friend Bad little boy to your mother and father Mischievous and devious to your loving grandmother Yet and still they raised a strong, good ad decent black Man By Christoper Griffin