Love and all RAWspect,

It is with sadness - and also fullness - of spirit, that I feel compelled to try and express my
fond remembrance of Papa Pilgrim (RAW #1). Pilgrim was a kind and great, yet humble man, and having known him even a little is both a blessing and an honor. 

My first recollection is the best: 

On attending a RAW Conference in Carolina, I was to finally meet Pilgrim after a couple years of 
"knowing" him via email and the phone. We spoke and enjoyed discussing RAW works, as well as Reggae 
writing and travels, etc. I was very excited to finally get "face time" with this man who had 
become an elder and a friend to me. 

On my day at the conference, I joined a session in progress. I found a seat and tried to "catch up" 
on what was happening. As the session drew to a close, Pilgrim came to the podium and made some 
closing remarks. It was my first chance to see him speak in person. As he closed, he said "Is that 
Allie-I back there?", to which I replied (dumbstuck) "yeah". He found his way to me and said "Nice 
to meet you, let's go upstairs." 

After making sure I "overstood" his intentions (to get lifted), which I totally "got" - we boarded 
the elevator and headed to his hotel room. It was not long until he had me in stiches. His gentle 
and fun-loving personality shone through, and his ability to laugh at himself - while having 
genuine and total respect for any and every living thing - was so easy. 

We spent a small while smoking and getting the normal "how was your trip" type stuff out of the 
way, vowing to spend more time later. And then the  busy aging man who was unwittingly running a 
multi-national Reggae networking organization had to "get back to things".

We made haste back to the activities. But somehow we wondered through the halls of the hotel until 
Pilgrim finally admitted to me that he had "forgotten" where the elevator was. Stoned new friends, 
and we laughed and laughed...until finally finding an elevator full of RAW friends and "our 
bearings". 

In years to follow I would spend time with Pilgrim on other occasions, and was honored to be asked 
by him personally to join the first-ever RAW Board of Directors. GIVE THANKS for his presence and 
spirit. 

Through Reggae Jah has shown blessed me with so many beautiful and wonderful expresions, persons, 
experiences, etc. 

In Loving Memory of:
Papa Pilgirm
Ras Pidow
Faezal Prengergrast
...others loved and missed....

Jah bless, one love, the King....

-Allie-I
(formerly RA#505/RAW Board of Directors)