Things taught to me by Brother Kalaii

It is hard to believe, now as I limp from place to place on my severely nerve damaged leg and have put on a "few" pounds since then, but once I studied under the greatest Karate Master of all time. Kalaii Kano Griffin.
Yes, it is true that there have been many greats, like Bruce Lee, Thunderbolt Chow, Ed Parker, The great Chuck Norris and the list goes on. And, each that I have named, taught the art of the soul as well as the art of martial combat.
But, what Brother Kalaii did beyond all others is that he taught the pure, disciplined art to kids and adults alike who came from all walks of life, All races, all social places and he brought them together to not only perform at peak levels, winning national titles, but he taught them that all were equal and every one of them not only could do anything, they had a responsibility to do it.
In the studio and in life, we lived by the slogan, "A Dragon you are, and a Dragon you will die". The meaning of that is simple, you are not white, you are not black, you are not rich, and you are not poor.... You are a DRAGON. Your brothers and sisters are your brothers and sister. And, after all these years, so much lost time, I miss my brothers and sisters as deeply as if we were all birthed from the same mother.
Why do I call Master Griffin "Brother Kalaii?" That is an honor not to be taken freely. He was like a father to so many and called his students his children. I also learned so much from him. But, he honored me by calling me his brother after we had many deep philosophical talks. In spirit of the honor he gave to me, I don't call him Master or Teacher, though he always will be to me, I call him Brother because he was so much more and I feel I honor him more in this.
For his students, Brother Kalaii always had the time to sit and talk to them as if they were they only person who mattered. He taught us that the only limitations we would ever encounter was the one we placed before ourselves.
On March 7th, 2008, Brother Kalaii was called home after battling colon cancer. To say I loved the man doesn't begin to say it. Every good thing I am today, or have ever been, or ever will be is because I was lucky enough to know this man, Grand Master, Kalaii Kano Griffin. I missed the chance to say goodbye to my brother because work pulled me away to the point we lost touch those final years. But, as with all Iron Dragons, I feel him close and look forward to the day we are re-united in the heavens tournament. He is there with Bruce, Master Parker, and all the others. We can hear them in the thunder and feel them in our hearts. To all by Brothers and Sisters, "A Dragon you are, and a Dragon you will die." No bond can ever be stronger.

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