Solomon's Temple

As I roll back the hands of time, the void of distorted space reassembles at a time in the past in my mind.  The setting of this scene is the driveway of a young, first generation African American and his friends.  From the other side of the looking glass mirror, the boy observed Solomon, and their friends playing basketball on a sunny, Saturday afternoon.  Summertime in Vineland was all about playing basketball, you see.  The boys had spent most of their childhood jumping back and forth from my home, Magnolia Park, and the home of Solomon Yusuf in Vineland, New Jersey.  This story is of a boy and his father, but that boy is not me, and his father was he who changed my life and the way I viewed it.  Here is the story of Solomon’s Temple.  

As the scene comes to focus, you will meet the early friends of my middle school years.  As you look around the driveway, you will see many faces, but two no more important to me than Abraham and Solomon.  As I picture myself in the moment, I think about the hours we spent outside Solomon’s house playing basketball.  Unlike at my house when we could go in and out of the house to use the restroom, get a drink, or ask my mom for food, it was different at Solomon’s home.  Solomon’s home was more than a home, but a temple purchased by his father that also served as home.  We could not go inside all day.  If we wanted a drink, we had to drink from the hose (something I did all the time as a small child, but not as much as Middle school came), and if we had to use the restroom, we had to do it outside.  Luckily, it was a wooded area.  I am sure you are wondering, “But why did you have to do all this?”

Solomon is a first generation African American.  His father, Dr. Yusuf, is an immigrant from the African nation of Nigeria.  Dr. Yusuf was born into the royal family in Nigeria, and was able to study in London, as well as other places in the U.S., and eventually settled in Vineland, NJ, where he works as a Chaplin for the New Jersey State Prison System.  Dr. Yusuf, as well as Solomon and his sisters, practice the religion of Islam.  Dr. Yusuf is a devout Muslim, following the 5 Pillars of Islam, most importantly his daily Pray or Salat.  On his magic carpet, Dr. Yusuf would face East, and pray to G-d.  From the mindset of a 11-12-year-old boy, it was a mysterious act, but nonetheless, I was intrigued and mystified by the low chanting of prayer coming to life from the lips and sword of Dr. Yusuf.   Although trips to Solomon’s home were few and far between, each time we went to his house, you could find Dr. Yusuf kneeling before his magic carpet, praying in Arabic song, the written and oral word of G-d.  

Although in the mind of my adolescent self, I did not understand the significance of what I bore witness to in Solomon’s temple, but as a 30+ year-old man, its significance in my life and how I view it bears the weight of the world in my heart.  As we move this story forward, I fast forward through my life and re-emerge in the year 2013 and inside the classroom of the university center at Cumberland County College.  Within the four walls of that classroom of just 5-6 students, was arguably the best college course I took during my tenure at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  Dr. Yusuf's presence and words took center stage as he was the professor for one of my classes called, “Religion and Terrorism.”  Dr. Yusuf is a Doctor of Religious Studies and memorized the Old Testament, New Testament, and Q’uran before he reached adulthood.  Over the next few months, Dr. Yusuf took his knowledge of the Holy Books of the 3 Abrahamic Religions and instilled that knowledge and wisdom to the eager ears of those present in the room.  As I sit here on this Sunday night, I think about one of the first things he ever taught me about Islam.  The translation of the word Islam simply means, “Peace and submission to G-d.”  As we move this story forward, let’s now examine the word jihad.  According to Dr. Yusuf, the word “jihad” means a struggle, more specifically “a personal struggle.”  When one has finally cleansed themselves of hate and oppression, then one may cleanse the world of hate and oppression.  The Q’uran references the word jihad when referring to the protection of life, as well as with the permission granted for Muslims to attack when they have been attacked first but to stop fighting when the opponent stops making war.  As the semester came to a close, Dr. Yusuf spent the last few lectures discussing quotes directly from the Q’uran to prove that it is not religion that create terrorism, but mankind’s evil thoughts and lust for power and control that has bred the concept of terrorism.  As I recite these verses in my mind as I write them, I think to myself, how can such beautiful and profound words of wisdom turn into justification for violence to continue this endless cycle of war and aggression?  What will it take to end acts of terrorism across all walks of life and religious affiliations, what will it take to end the troubles on Mother Earth?  

The Q’uran speaks of the sanctity of life.  “Don’t take life, life is sacred.  Only take life by way of law and justice.”  The Quran discusses further about the sanctity of life.  “Taking the life of one innocent person, is like taking the life of all of humanity.”  It also goes on to state, “Saving the life of one, is like saving the life of all humanity.”   The actions of modern Islamic fundamentalists simply contradict the words of the great Prophet in some ways with the killing of the innocent, in the name of a G-d that speaks of the respect of all life forms.  At the same time, the same can be said about all radicals amongst the hundreds of world religions.

Dr. Yusuf went on to speak about the Complete Diligence of a Muslim.  He spoke about how a true Muslim has an innate compass to do what is right, know what is good, and not do what is wrong.  To do so, Dr. Yusuf said, a person must: adhere to logic and reason, become educated, engage in dialogue of all cultures and religions, and be self-disciplined and hold yourself ready.  Dr. Yusuf finished the lecture that day by talking about the word Sabir, a word he associated with patience, understanding, and being resilient in your struggles.  

As he continued throughout the semester Dr. Yusuf provided a timeline of Islam from the life of the Prophet Mohammed to the present day.  Within that timeline, he connected the ideas of key figures in the early modern age that led to the terrorist acts of our time.  Like I said previously, it was not until the end of the course when he began to orally quote scripture from the Q’uran.  He said that was how many people who grow up in Muslim countries learn the Q’uran, passed down from generation to generation through oral traditions.  

Two Verses, Chapter 2 Verse 56 and Chapter 4 Verse 29, stood out to me, both parallel to that of the quotes on the sanctity of life.  The theme of these two verses is the root cause of the taking of most innocent life on this Earth.  The former states, “there should be no compulsion in religion,” while the latter states, “Those who believe, do not squander your wealth, do not use it for bad things.”  As I let those words between quotations resonate within my conscious thought and open mind, I think about all the people of the world who wish to divide it based on their differences, without realizing one can blend without breaking one’s foundation of principles.  How can the difference of opinion of others fill you with such rage is what I ask myself sometimes?  No better than compulsion of religion is that of a man who wishes to bring war and strife to the world through the use of one’s wealth.  I pity a man who knows not love for man, but only love for hate, power, and greed.

And so now we have come to a crossroad in this journey from Solomon’s Temple to this very moment as I put thought to key typing away at the very words you see.  Religion and money are the two things they say you should never talk about, yet we find ourselves in a world where money drives people to commit sin to acquire it, and religion has driven man to think that the sacrifice and killing of innocent lives is a way of doing G-d’s work.

From Dr. Yusuf to the countless Muslim families that I have encountered in my young life, I have yet to meet a single family that was not of good faith, humble, honest, and carried themselves with integrity.  From the early days witnessing Dr. Yusuf in deep prayer, I learned the power and influence of prayer in healing oneself and growing closer to my Creator so that I too may learn wisdom and live in accordance with His Law much like I saw Dr. Yusuf do with such passion and energy.  

As I close my eyes, I picture a scene in my mind, a dream of a past conversation.  It was Dr. Yusuf and I walking from the building to our cars in the adjacent parking lot one spring evening.  As we both approach our cars, he looks at me and says, “Listen, you must always give Sean.  No matter what the world does with what you give it, never let it stop you from giving.”  Those very words, to this day, have had one of the most profound impacts on my life, my perception of the world, and my faith in G-d. 

Cognitive Dissonance: The Socratic Mind

Questioning.  The very nature in which we learn in life.  Socrates, the famous Greek Philosopher said that disciplined and thoughtful questioning helped one think logically and validate ideas.  To question the world is to live in wonder.  

As children, we questioned everything.  My mother, sisters, and father would be driven mad by the amount of questions I asked as a young child.  Why is the sky blue, what is out there, does this car get good gas mileage, why do people do the things they do, were some of the questions I would ask as a 5-7 year old.  

As adults, we don’t live in wonder of the magical world around us, but our mind shifts.  We begin introspective thoughts about ourselves and others.  Who can I trust in the world, should I take one’s word for it, how can I improve myself, how am I going to pay the bills this month? 

Questions lead us all down avenues, zigzagging through life, but the shortest path between two points is a straight line.  This straight line is what we wish to get to, and we get there through questioning ourselves and others, learning from our experiences, and thinking logically about past ideas and events, and replacing them with absolute truths we eventually come to.  

Cognitive Dissonance is the inability for someone to replace past ideas or truths when overwhelming evidence is presented to us.  To hold onto the past and past ideas build up inside of us, and we refuse to let them go.  Such actions lead us to become stuck, unwilling to listen to anyone but oneself no matter the cost it is to self and to others.  

For example, the mind of a drug addict falls into this category.  No matter the insurmountable evidence there is to the nature of their problem, many refuse to acknowledge their problems and are dissonant to their very life.  

I remember my college days when I had a professor who was also a politician. One afternoon our class discussion grew heated. Sitting a few  seats away from me was a twenty-year combat veteran, a disciplined man nearly twice my age.  As the conversation unfolded, the two began to wrestle with words about facts and ideas. The veteran calmly laid out his reasoning point by point. Many of us in the room quietly nodded along as he spoke.  Yet when he finished, the professor simply leaned back in his chair and replied, “No… you’re wrong.”  In the end, absolute truth comes from questioning the world, listening to others, and having open dialogue to come to life’s truths about the reality of the world.  

Just like life, science is a discipline centered around questioning.  Edison failed 100’s of times before inventing the light bulb, Tesla failed countless times in his endeavors to develop, scientists all over the world fail constantly yet their questioning about their failure leads them to change one variable and try again.

 In my early to mid 20’s, science was what fascinated me, I thought about it all day, everyday.  As my knowledge grew, I would have conversations with friends.  Even though they would say, “Sean, you’re much smarter than me,” I would listen to what they said and replace irreverent or completely wrong interpretations and start anew. 

 I remember back to a few years ago I got a random email from a Physicist in another country about my videos on Feynman Diagrams and quantum entanglement.  He said he was inspired by my video, yet I was slightly wrong about what I said.  Although I was down for a minute, I took it for what it was worth and replaced my knowledge with what was more correct.  

Even though we as individuals can’t change the way we learn, we can certainly change the way we think.  The brain’s neural-plasticity and science specifically state this fact.  The brain over time, rewires itself over time as we grow and learn.  To stop the natural process of life and the way the brain works is like withholding growth for oneself. 

Ego plays a significant role in such trains of thought.  To hold onto one’s ego through such questioning, is to do a disservice to oneself and others.  In the end, this is the nature and reality of life as humans, we are quick to talk, yet slow to listen, and replace what is wrong with absolute truths.  Stubbornness is meant for the mule, not for man.  

Chapter 2 - Forever: The Story Continues

 As the boy laid to rest that spring night, thoughts and feelings of euphoria flooded his nervous system, leaving him with a relaxed mind and body, and soon, the boy dozed off into sleep.  The boy awoke the next day as if it was any ordinary day, his experience from the night before lay resting deep in his subconscious mind, waiting for a sign for what was to come.  As the day soon turned to night, the boy was called upon again, that overwhelming presence re-emerged just as it did the night before, cloaking the boy with its shadowy presence.  The boy’s body started to tingle, vibrations pervaded his central nervous system, then soon returned to its point of origin in perfect cycles of euphoria.  As the boy laid his head to the pillow and closed his eyes, this night would be the second of many nights to come in the dream created in the boy’s infinite mind.  

The action of spoken word proceeded from the boy’s lips, “CREATE!”  As the boy entered the matrix of his Creation in that instant, he was not alone this time.  Behind the boy was not a shadow of a man but was marked as the beast.  As the dream continued, the image in the boy’s mind shot off from the third eye, accelerating, trying to escape the grasp of this new present character in the dream.  The boy’s subconscious vision became tunneled, on both sides of him was stretched light that lay still as he increasingly accelerated forward across space.  Overcome with fear in the dream, and in reality, as the boy’s heart rate steadily rises, the boy’s next experience surprised him and left him unaware of the significance of its meaning to this very day.

As the boy reached the end of what was his Creation, his anxiousness overcame his emotional state.  What was going to happen?  Was this the end of the road?  As the boy reached the end of forward time, the race was not over, but only beginning.  As the beast followed close behind, the boy jumped through the end of time, and into a new beginning.  Another copy of his Creation lay on the other side of existence unbeknownst to the boy.  All the while the beast slowly crept up, inching forward, while all around, space lay paralyzed in the mist of this epic marathon of Good Vs. Evil.  The boy’s thoughts enter the vision, speaking out, “Keep going and don’t look back,” knowing the face of everything he fears in life lies in the eye of the figure in his wake.  

As the dream continued, the boy’s rate of acceleration increased over time and space.  in the time it took to get through one universe, the boy and the beast raced on through nine worlds, nine copies of Creation.  At last, the boy outran the grips of evil, as he ended the ninth world, the portal closed behind him forever locking the beast from the innocent worlds that he Created.  

As the dream ended, and the boy came back to the world of the current moment, he kept his eyes closed laying in the vast emptiness that was his mind.  The world, the boy thought, was much stranger than it seemed.  How could something so perfect, so elegant, so beautiful only exist in his mind, with no tangible way of experiencing it in the reality that he has come to know and understand.  As the boy looked back on his own life in the current moment, he thought back to his thoughts as a child.  As he flipped back the pages of his life, he recalled always needing to see something with his own eyes to know it is real, but now he was stuck in an oxymoron.  The boy slowly faded to sleep knowing he was caught between two worlds, the world that he thought he knew and the world that he Created in his Mind. 

A Date with Destiny: A Story of a Frenchman

 A wise man turns to a layman who is plagued with emotion by the path and opinions of those in his life.  The wise man calls out, “why do you dare dance with destiny?  The most high brings people into your life for a reason, and no sooner removes a friend now turned foe.  Don’t question the hand of time and the actions of your Creator.”  The man plagued with raw emotion, sat in the midst of the wise man pondering this very thought, “Do you dare question destiny, for every time I resist the natural order of my life, it all falls apart before my very eyes,” were the words projected out in the subconscious thought of the once flustered gentlemen.

As my mind creates the scenario mentioned above from the depths of my imagination, an allegory projects out from my conscious thought.  As the thought manifests itself, my mind shifts the arrow and flow of time backwards, and we emerge at a time and place, a setting.  The setting appears in my mind as the words flow from thought to key.  I am in Nice, France, exiting a plane, then anxiously walking toward baggage claim.  As I manage to grab my bag and bid farewell to my American friends who I met at the Paris airport, and now again in the Nice International Airport baggage claim area.  As I exit the airport, I think to myself, how am I going to get from Nice to Antibes without being able to read and speak more than the bare minimum of French(its not a long trip maybe 10 miles lol)? As I walk down the concrete pathway to the train shuttle area, I see two young men sitting together.  I approach them, feeling flustered and overwhelmed in my mind at what to do and where to go next.  I spoke up and spoke out for help, and what came next was a date with destiny.  

In my mind I was thinking of the little French I studied in the few months prior to going on this trip, but the greeting I’ve known my whole life came out, “Parlez Vous Anglais?”  

The two boys responded in unison, “Yes.”  I asked them politely if they could help me get to the train that would take me to Antibes.  I was lucky.  The boy to the left, Bilel, was an employee of the airport transit system.  As he helped me purchase a ticket on my phone, the three of us engaged in small talk.  We talked about where we were from, what we were doing at the moment, and finally the conversation ended with my international service failing miserably at processing my ticket request.  As the boy to the right left to go to work, Bilel offered to help me manually pay at the machine for the ticket from the Airport Terminal to the main line of the French Riviera.  

It was in the events that followed that made me realize that this was no ordinary random act of kindness from one stranger to another, but a date with destiny.  As we approached the machine, we soon had more difficulty with my card, but it eventually worked and we were off to the platform for the next train.  As I was sure Bilel would pay me farewell at this point, I was surprised to hear him offer to ride the train with me and escort me to the following train station so that I got there safely and with no difficulty.  At the moment I was cautious, but as my mind processed his words and his energy, I knew his intent was sincere, and so I accepted his offer and off we went.  

Before we move this story forward, let me give you some background on Bilel.  Bilel is an Algerian emigrant who came to France to find work to help support his mother and his  brothers back home.  As we rode the train, he began to tell me his story.  Bilel’s life story humbled me and truly put my own experiences in life into perspective. Bilel lost his father at a young age, so his mother worked tirelessly back in Algeria to provide for the boys.  As Bilel would describe, “My mother is my best friend, I am so grateful for what she does for my family.”  

Bilel went on to talk about his motive for moving to France.  He was overwhelmed with guilt for how hard his mother worked, coupled with the poor job market, Bilel said he moved to France for a better opportunity.  In time, he began sending money back home to help the family.  No matter the distance, he kept daily communication with his mother.  But Bilel said things began to change.  The calls got fewer and the distance between replies grew over time.  He knew something was wrong.  Eventually, there was no other option, but to tell Bilel.  His mother had cancer.  While he was away trying to help his family, his mother was slowly growing ill.  At this moment I was overwhelmed with empathy and emotion for the young man I just met.  Not ten years ago I was in his shoes.  Bilel went on to tell me with tears in his eyes that his mother soon passed away from cancer.  

He continued his story, but not with chronological facts, but with raw emotion.  Bilel felt lost, like a part of him was taken that he will never get back.  He succumbed to feelings of guilt for being in France working, living on his own, while his Mother continued to provide for his brother’s while being diagnosed with cancer.  As my mind processed his words, I spoke of my own experience with my Mother having cancer.  I told him I prayed every night for G-d to save my mother.  In the moment and to this day, I have great remorse for Bilel, for I don’t know what I would do if I lost my Mother so soon.  

As the energy between us began to grow, I talked to Bilel about things that no one can take from oneself, and that is love and memories.  People may be taken from their body, and laid to rest, but the memories, words, and love that they gave you lives on forever.  As these words spoke from my tongue to lips, a smile emerged from Bilel’s face.  I continued, “The memory of your Mother lives inside of you.  Close your eyes and she is always there smiling.” As the train ride ended, and it was our stop to get off, I was overwhelmed with emotion.  I knew this moment was by fate, and I knew this boy needed me now more than ever.  

As we exited the train, Bilel was nice enough to carry my luggage for me.  I offered him money, but he respectfully declined.  As we walked across the street to another adjacent road, the conversation switched to faith.  I told him my faith is the most important part of my life.  I continued the conversation, “The most important part of faith to me is to have faith in yourself , and to have faith in what Created you.”

He replied by commenting on how he liked my remark.  I told him I had learned a lot about the Q’uran from my friend’s father, a Doctor in Religious Studies from Nigeria.  I went on to tell him about what I learned from them man.  He told me the Q’uran is about preaching peace and understanding of others, and went on to say Isaac and Ismael were brothers, yet overtime they have fought with one another over and over again and For What?  

I could see the passion pour from his lips, as he spoke.  Bilel had been an empty soul that was slowly coming alive.  As we approached the regional train station, Bilel asked the clerk for information on the train.  We soon walked to the machine just outside the ticket station.  I remember the sun baking down on my white skin, slowly roasting.  An officer at the train station assisted us in purchasing the ticket, and finally I had my ticket to Antibes.  Bilel carried and held my bag until the train arrived.  We discussed meeting in Nice before I went back to London, but I ended up flying from Milan back to London before going back home to the United States.  

For the rest of the trip, I kept in contact with Bilel through WhatsApp.  He thanked me for the words of encouragement, and that he was now in a better place.  I lost contact with Bilel after deleting all my messages in my WhatsApp, and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t find his name in my Contacts.  I couldn’t remember how to spell his name.  As time progressed, Bilel found me on Instagram and began following me.  At that moment I was excited to finally talk to my friend again.  I told him that it was destiny that brought us together on that day at the airport, and he soon agreed.  He told me it was quite the occasion to know a good friend and person.  He said he learned a lot from me from religion, life, moms, to goals and plans.  He plans on studying business management next fall, and that he still sends money home to his brothers.  

It is those people you come across in life that change one’s whole perspective on one’s own life.  Whether it be by random coincidence or by way of fate, my encounter with Bilel did just that.  In my mind I can’t help but think, “This boy lost his father at an early age as well as his mother all while moving to a foreign country to help her, and still has the energy and mindset to continue on while he was in agony inside.”  I thought about my own life and my own problems, and they all seemed so miniscule compared to what I have or was going through.  A moment that was so stressful for me as I exited the airport all melted away as the conversation with Bilel progressed, and for that I call it “A Date with Destiny.”

The Vacant House: Perspectives of the Individual

 Sometimes life isn’t fair to everyone.  As a teacher I learned first hand just the consequences of reality for many.  As a memory draws near, the scene shifts from the present moment to a time in the past.  The time and place is portable 7 in May of 2023.  I just finished first period final exams and all who was left in the classroom was a boy and myself.   What happened next had a profound impact on me as a teacher.

Although I am terrible with names, I remember the scenario in my head very well.  As the student finished his exam, what began was a dialogue.  I asked him where he’s been, and he laughed and replied, “ I live between here and Atlanta.”  I told him it was nice to see him and the conversation turned much deeper.  Out of left field, he said, “ I only came to school today to see you and take your test.  No one is like you, I enjoy coming to your class.”  Hearing those words caused me to pause for a second.  My tear ducts began to water yet I held back, I can’t show emotion in this moment were my mental thoughts.  I told him he should go to his other finals, but I never did find out if he did.  Nonetheless, the conversation turned to music.  We talked about what I thought were Atlanta rappers, but little did I know I was wrong.  Mr. Kennedy, he said, the rappers you talked about, none of them were born in Atlanta.”  He went on to tell me about a song called “Vacant  House.”  He said it was one of his new, favorite songs.  I listened to it on my way home that day.  

Upon listening to the song, I realized a lot about that boy.  He was a quiet child in the classroom, coming in 1st period seldomly, but he always did his work.  He passed the class after turning in most of his work even if it was late.  I always treated him with respect, never questioning him or coming up with pre-conceived notions about him and I think he appreciated that.  I always asked him about his day, how he was, and that it was nice to see him.   But, on that day I realized life must be much different for him than it is and was for me.  It’s not about leaving a child behind, it’s about seeing them through until the end because you never know what they go through for teenagers seldom tell you anything about their life.  In the end, it’s not about test scores and perfect attendance, life as a teacher, to me, is having a lasting impact on a child’s life.  

Perspectives of the individual tell you a lot about life and yourself.  That whole year had its ups and downs.  From parent meetings, to student behavior problems, to personal struggles, it was at this moment I realized at the end of the day, I meant something to someone else.  I’ve learned through life never to judge a book by its cover, to diligently care for and nurture those who need you the most, and on the spring day in May, l learned that I had an impact on a young man’s life and it made all worth while.

As the World Turns: Legacy and Lasting Impressions

 As I lay here, a memory, a thought, enters my mind while in a relaxed state.  I once again arrive back to my time at Hephzibah High School.  The year is 2018 and a young man by the name of Billy and I are having a conversation about life.  “Mr. Kennedy, the world will never remember me when I’m gone” is the question of concern plaguing this young boy’s mind.  I thought for a second and replied, “What is the meaning of the world?  The  world is a big place, but your world is much smaller.  Everyone that means something to you is in your world.  Your world will remember just how great you are, and that’s all that should matter to you.”  The young boy thought for a second and smiled while saying “you’re right.”  No matter how small or big your world is, one’s meaning, purpose, and presence brings life, light, and energy to it.  

As we reflect back on our lives, we think of the legacy we may leave behind.  How will the world view me when I’m gone?  Will we be remembered by those we loved and shared life with in a positive light?  Will we be remembered by those who don’t know me?  We often assume that a meaningful legacy must reach far and wide. But does it? Or is it enough to live a fulfilled life, touching the people around us?

  

As I continue to ponder this very topic, I think about the people in my world that have had such an impact on my life.  I think about my parents, the sacrifices and hard work they have committed to, to provide the best life possible to me.  I remember a friend’s parents, who went from rags to riches, teaching me that anything is possible with persistence… though I often wonder—how much is luck, and how much is effort?  I think of Roger Fabrizio, a family friend.  He died when I was 13, but he taught me to break free from the cocoon of my shyness—to step into the world unafraid, to let my presence be seen and felt.  I think of Victor Rone, my best friend’s step-dad who taught me about money, honesty, and hard work.  I think of my high school baseball coach, Tom Ryder. He taught me discipline—and that what matters most is what you do when no one is watching.  Such a small group of people, but they are the people that live in the world that is my mind.  

In the age of social media, we all crave to be remembered.  The clicks, the likes, the comments spark a rush of dopamine, a small reminder that someone is noticing us.  As I reflect, I can't help but think about how I will be remembered.  I am no perfect person, but I hope I have touched the lives of others just as others before me have brought light to my life.  No matter the size of your circle, your world is yours to shape. Appreciate it, for each of us is a star—a light shining in someone else’s sky.

Telomeres: Are They The Answer To Cancer and Aging?

 As I look back on my past experiences in life, I draw the pensive and extract a memory.  This memory was a pivotal moment in my life.  In 2011, my Mother, Beth Kennedy, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.  Although through the grace of G-d, my mother’s will to live, and the team of doctors and nurses, she lived to tell the tale, she was diagnosed with a tumor on the base of her spine, entangled in nerves.  The cancer came back as ovarian cancer, something she was diagnosed with 10 years earlier when I was just 11 years old.  Although I didn’t understand the magnitude of it back then, I certainly understood it in the present moment.  The pain was so extreme, my Mom spent roughly 6 months in the hospital off and on, for she would stop taking her pain medicine and the pain was so extreme I am sure even the neighbors could hear her scream.  Over time, the doctors tried to de-bulk the tumor via surgery, but to no avail it grew back.  Eventually, she went through aggressive chemotherapy and radiation for 6-8 weeks, and were able to kill the tumor and she has been cancer free ever since.  During that time, I became obsessed with finding a cure for my Mom and the millions who suffer from the disease known as cancer.  In my studies, I came across the word telomere, and ran with it.  I stayed up late one night watching tv and I stumbled onto a program on PBS-Nova that helped explain visually what I was reading out.  Here is what I learned.  

Your DNA within every cell has a cap on either end of it to help make sure that genetic makeup of the cell does not unravel and subsequently be permanently damaged.  Unfortunately, every time your cell divides this "cap" or telomere is shortened slightly.  Over a lifetime the telomeres get shorter and shorter until eventually your cells no longer divide and you eventually pass away of old age amongst other effects such as: DNA damage accumulation, mitochondrial decline, epigenetic changes, and cellular senescence.  

.  If you think about it, these telomeres are simply a ticking-time-bomb waiting to eventually get to the end and you pass away, and this limit of how many times they divide is known as the Hayflick limit.  Each type of cell in the human body is extraordinarily complex. Because of this complexity, researchers must perform extensive genetic sequencing to understand how telomeres behave in different cancers.

.  We are fortunate enough to have the best and the brightest working on such a thing which is complimented by some of the fastest computers known to man. 

So how does this relate to cancer and aging?  In 90% of cancer cells, there is an enzyme that counteracts the shortening of the telomeres known as telomerase.  This enzyme allows cancer cells to divide and multiply at an alarming and frankly quite frightening rate as you could see in my mom's situation.  If we are able to dive deep into this research and know the genetic sequencing background of each type of cancer we can manipulate this enzyme for good, and quite possibly get rid of this horrible disease and effectively increase quality and quantity of life for mankind. 

Researchers are exploring several strategies, for example, telomerase inhibitors which are drugs that block the enzyme.  One such drug is Imetelstat which binds to telomerase RNA and prevents it from extending telomeres.  It is being tested for certain leukemias and blood cancers.  Another medical technique is telomerase cancer vaccines.  Some treatments try to train the immune system to recognize telomerase in cancer cells and destroy them.  Scientists are experimenting with viruses that activate toxic genes only in telomerase-positive cells meaning only cancer cells are targeted.  The challenges that researchers and doctors face is this: Targeting telomerase isn’t simple because:  Some healthy cells also need telomerase (stem cells, immune cells).  Cancer cells might switch to another telomere maintenance strategy called Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres(ALT), so treatments must be very precise.

As we close out the story on Telomeres, Cancer, and Aging I think about the philosophical questions that emerge in the forefront of my mind.  For example, does understanding telomeres and telomerase provide us the keys to living indefinitely?  What will drug companies do with such medicines for America is a for-profit medical system?  Will we finally beat cancer in the coming decades with understanding cancer and telomerase?  These burning questions remain to be answered, yet we stand during a wonderful time in human history.