I am deep in the midst of grieving the loss of Vincent Gordon Harding–a friend, mentor, scholar, freedom fighter, mahatma, and now, an ancestor–who died in Philadelphia on May 19 from complications of heart surgery.

All great souls are also flawed–hagiography has no place in authentic mourning. True grief honors what has passed. No longer will I pick up the telephone and hear Vincent’s basso profondo, “Sister Rose Marie? Is it well with your soul?”

More later. Right now, I can only stand at the river, peering into the water in disbelief that it has carried him to the other side.

Roundup of Remembrances:

Vincent Harding Built a New World by Dee Dee Risher

Remembering Vincent Harding, An Enduring Veteran of Hope by Ken Butigan

A gentle giant left us by Catherine Meeks

Vincent Harding by E. Ethelbert Miller

Vincent Harding, Civil Rights Author and Associate of Dr. King, Dies at 82 by Margalit Fox

Vincent Harding, a true hero by Celeste Kennel-Shank

In Memory of Dr. Vincent Harding, a ‘Prophetic Voice for Justice and Vigorous Nonviolence’ by Ben Sutter

MLK speechwriter, civil rights activist Vincent Harding dead by Kate Gibbons

Remembering Historian Vincent Harding, Who Drafted Dr. Martin Luther King’s Anti-Vietnam War Speech by Democracy Now!

Social Activism Loses ‘Peaceful Warrior’ Vincent Harding by Jamal Watson

Rest in Peace, Vincent Harding by Steve Thorngate

Vincent Harding: A light shines in the darkness by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

Vincent Harding Dead: Civil Rights Activist, Speechwriter And Friend Of Martin Luther King Jr., Dies At 82 by Yasmine Hafiz

Vincent Gordon Harding by Black Fire, UVA