Celebrating Lou Wilson - Love of My Life - 11 years with the Ancestor/Angels

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello and Happy New Year All!

I thought to myself - "It's been 11 years, surely I have now gotten to the point when I don't get sad anymore  - where I now accept that it was GOD's will and LOU's time on this plane of action was over, without feeling resentful or cheated.  But, NO!  I was sitting here watching Lakewood Church's Joel Osteen, and, without realizing it, tears were running down my face. 

I actually tried to get through this date without breaking down.  It's not like it sneaks upon me - actually, somewhere around Christmas, my heart does a silent count down of how many more days until I lose my man.  I try to shake it - but it's still there in my subconscious. 

But, this time instead of just letting tears flow, I stopped and said, "Good Morning Lou - I knew you were going to drop in to make sure I'm OK."     I remember one of his favorite sayings:  "Life ain't nothing but a meatball."  I used to laugh at those crazy sayings he and Carlos - his younger brother - would come up with.  They would repeat them over and over and over again -and crack up as though it was the first time they ever heard or said it.  

A friend of mine, who was visiting for the week end, asked me why there were no pictures of Lou anywhere in the apartment.  I had various collections of our kids and grandkids, as well as my Sorors, and other events.  It suddenly dawned on me that I am still silently mourning.  So, today, in order to step into the sunlight and out of the shrouds and clouds, I'm posting some photos I made of Lou and the group Black in the day - as well as some sent to me by Sister/Friend Fikisha Cumbo. 

 

(L-R) Lou Love of my Life, and his brothers: Carlos, Ricardo & Wilfredo - a/k/a MANDRILL

Lou doing what he loves and does best: Playing the Congas

Lou and our son RAIS (WunSunLyonsRA)  rapping at BB Kings

Mandrill at BB Kings

 

Lou's sense of humor had no bounds. We'd spend hours watching comedies, analyzing the artists' "schtick" and why we like one, and not necessarily the other.  Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Bernie Mac. ManTan Moreland, and so many others - we'd watch them over and over as if they had just started.  Lou was a combination intellect, educator, clown, lyricist, actor, spiritualist, humorist, and FINE BLACK MAN all wrapped into one.  Not perfect - but then again, perfection is soooo overrated anyway!  Our children have definitely inherited his gene for humor, as have our grandkids.  It's wonderful watching them channel him without realizing it - our son is lovingly called the "Clown Prince" because of his ability to mimimick (something his teachers didn't find so amusing when he was in elementary school).  But, on this day of days, when Lou made his exit from this physical plane and joined his parents and left us here with a big hole in our soul and in our existence 11 years ago, I am thankful that I can turn this into a fond memory instead of a maudlin misery. 

  I took this pic of Lou when Mandrill was on tour in NYC, Philly and DC.  This was at the Hilton in Philly just prior to their performance at the Dell East - looks a little like a halo, or divine light behind his head, doesn't it?   He and I laughed at this picture, but it's interesting how it has actually become "Lou's Halo."

Eleven years ago I made this tragic announcement in my blog, ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS:

"Sunrise: 10.25.1941 - Sunset: 1.07.2013:    

Lou Wilson, the Love of My Life, of Mandrill, Inc., has Joined the Ancestors

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson:

January 7, 2013

  To all my dear friends, family and loved ones:

It is with deep sadness, and a great deal of pain that I announce the loss of the Love of My Life, Louis W. Wilson - of the amazing music group Mandrill - has passed.  He was 71 years young; vibrant, handsome, full of energy and the love for life and his family.
My man, my soulmate, my heart of hearts, is gone!  If you think this is a routine announcement, it's not!  This is a cry of pain.  I am deeply wounded...."

I admit that it took me three years to come out of the state of shock - another three years before I could actually listen to Mandrill without crying; and another two years before I could actually have a conversation with our kids, our friends and others with objective sentimentality, instead of maudlin tears.  And now I can look back with nostalgic fondness on those crazy, wonderful years we spent together and laugh at the zaniness, fun, and silly predicaments we would get ourselves in and out of.

So today, January 7, 2024 - the eleventh commemoration of his transition to the realm of Ancestor/Angels - I am celebrating his life, music, creativity, talent and love.  I am also inviting our family, friends, and fans to listen to something from Mandrill - www.Mandrillmusic.com - or on YouTube and remember the genius behind the music, Lou Wilson's legacy is the gift that keeps on giving and blessing.

I was watching Agape International this morning.   Agape was founded by friend/compatriot Rev. Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, and my mind did a rewind to when  Michael's presided over Lou's Homegoing Ceremony -  I remembered how Micheal - whom I had known for eons from our UN Days, insisted that I speak at his Homegoing in my own words - something few widows get to do.  But in so doing, I was able to process our lives, loves, and all the fun stuff with the rest of the family - and bring back some of our fondest shared memories with the family - and my own broken heart - to make it more tolerable.  Bless Michael for having my back and walking me through one of the most difficult times of my life.   I remember I was wearing Lou's favorite outfit in honor of him- a deep Teal Blue and Purple outfit I had designed that reflected the colors of Mandrill, Of course, Lou, smiling down on me was the only one who noticed.  

Admittedly I found myself on the brink of melancholy starting around Christmas, and escalating as I got closer and closer to January 6th (the actual date of his transition - Los Angeles Time - 3 hours behind East Coast time).  But I meditated on all the good things we had together, and put that in my uppermost mind instead.  So I am now in the midst of a celebration of Lou Wilson, the Love of my Life, and invite you to all celebrate him with me - Click on the link to enjoy Mandrill in Montreaux, Canada:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFF1PJatT6A&t=3209s

 

Lou with a Signature Piece by Sir Shadow, the One Line Artist (2011)

On January 7, 2013 My Tall, Dark, and Chocolate Fine Black Man/GENIUS  made his exit, and has left us a legacy of love, wonderful music, and fun; laced with major  West Indian Heritage and Wisdom, and over the top sense of humor that still keeps us cracking up with laughter.  His love of education, fun, history, and creativity is hardwired into the genepool of our children and their children to come. 

 

Lou & Me - Our Favorite Photo

 

One of our favorite MANDRILL Album covers:  Lou with the Family in his hands, Carlos in the center, Ric on the right

 Love  to  Ric, Carlos, Wolf Wilson.  Many fond  and loving memories of Mom and Pop Wilson,  and Alonzo.  

Blessings and love to our three: Rais, Adiya and Kira, and our five grandchildren:

Hugh V, Jaden, Akili, Kijahni, Jazahra

And alway remember to never forget the wonder and genius of

LOU WILSON - 

NOW A MEMBER OF THE ANCESTOR/ANGELS

Gloria DULAN-Wilson