Ever since I knew my dad, he was old. That's what my aunts say, my uncles say; pretty much anyone who knew him would concur that Solomon Masenda was old. However, they would also say he had the most youthful spirit of anyone they ever met. Whether it was breaking into an impromptu song during a lecture, or dancing in any place that music was present, his energy was contagious.

On car rides from the time I was a little kid to around 17 years old, he would tell me to get in the car, that we were heading to Fort Worth or Tulsa or Shawnee or Marshall or wherever we needed or wanted to be. He would drive, and I would ride along. Most of the time, I'd stay up and make conversation. Other times, I would sleep. It's as if he made a mental note of all the times I slept and he made sure to return the favor once I got my driver's license.