The life and times of Oscar Marcos Perez-Cytron. Born Thanksgiving Day 11/22/01.
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If you want to add something to Oscar's baby-blog, send an email to megan@alpha60.com and we can set it up so you can post...
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Tuesday, May 04, 2004
11:24 PM posted by Oscar
Here's an article written about Christian's Uncle Cooper Yates (Oscar's great uncle). He was such a unique person--creative, outspoken, funny, and maybe most of all a great storyteller. We will miss him.
PUBLISHED MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004
Cooper Yates' legacy is bigger than bricks and mortar
Much has been written and said about Cooper Yates in these last few days
following his death. I am one of those lucky people who considered myself
one of his friends, and his passing has jolted us all.
It's hard for me, even now, to imagine this community without him. In areas
where a vanilla approach is often the norm, Cooper added color, daring and
splash. His brilliant mind and heart of pure gold were all wrapped up in a
style that is timeless.
You could just plug him into any era and he would fit. His vintage Corvette
was only part of his trademark, as it didn't compare in significance to his
Kennedy-like smile, casual saunter, artistic hands and his thick Hollywood
hair, envied by men of all ages.
Historically, having buildings, streets or statues dedicated to them
immortalizes individuals of his stature. Cooper's legacy, however, is bigger
than bricks and mortar, for Cooper's gift was t! he great ability to make
you think and to push you further than your comfort zone traditionally
permitted.
How do you build a monument to ideas?
This approach was not confined to his advertising business, as it permeated
every fiber of his wide range of interests. Democrats and Republicans, men
and women alike sought his advice and opinions, because labels could not
cage a mind like his.
Though he was a lifelong Democrat, he was intolerant of nothing but
injustice, and he was never, unlike so many others, afraid, intimidated or
outraged by free political discussion. Ironically, many who sought his
creative counsel either ignored it or implemented a watered down version
because they could not stretch to accept such innovation.
To most of us, Cooper seemed to fly without a safety net, challenging the
laws of man and nature. Only in hindsight can many of his ideas be fully
appreciated.
How do you fill the void caused by the passing of such a man? I certainly
don`t have answers, but I find the only way to accept a loss of this
magnitude is to learn from it. Most of us scurry through life trying to
blend in and not make too many waves.
The tragedy in this is that respect for individuality takes a distant
second place as we promote conformity. While learning to play with others is
an important lesson, learning to be comfortable in your own skin is equally
important. Always coloring inside the lines doesn`t give you much
opportunity for growth or expression.
As I have grown older, and, hopefully, a little wiser, it appears to me
that the people who are quickest to criticize others are the ones who are
most insecure. They really don't know where they fit, and they are
constantly trying to be accepted by everyone. Approval of the masses drives
their behavior. As long as their voice sings the same song, as long as their
opinions mirror! the majority, and as long as they are all throwing stones
at the same target, they must be right.
Maybe Cooper learned his junior high school lessons better than most,
because trying to please everyone actually pleases no one, and the real you
gets lost in translation. In addition, fertile ground for creativity is
sacrificed. Being edgy and without boundaries will not win you a popularity
contest, not while you are living, anyway.
Review history and observe how so many of our great leaders, philosophers,
inventors and artists were often scorned or ridiculed because they dared to
be different, and they stood out from the crowd. We are complex animals
because while we crave leadership and hunger for individuality, we try to
suppress both. Mercifully, some manage to survive the conformity revolution
and add fresh ideas and zing to life.
Our nurseries and classrooms are filled with young Coopers. And while he
would laugh to hear me say so, he would know it is true.
So, here's to you, Cooper. Thanks for making a difference by being
different.
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