Memorial to Da' Shifu

We often meet people who knew Albert Moore as either neighbor, friend, father or reletive, as Da' Shifu and as business man. I have been fortunate to know him in all these rolls. And I would like to share a little of each with you .

I had the blessing of knowing DA Shifu Al Moore for sixteen years. My stories and memories could fill a library. But I will try to give you the cliff notes.

Sixteen years ago, my car broke down in Burson and it wouldn't let me leave. Across the street from my mothers home were two Gentlemen trying to get this huge tracklayer crane running and out of the mud. After a few days of them watching me and I them my friend and I went over and offered a hand. The crane started right up and out of this a friendship was born.
This crane now sits in front of my studio and serves as a reminder that my car broke down in burson for a reason.

As a neighbor he was polite and considerate. He and Marilyn were about to begin building their home. As their new neighbor I would pop over and lend a hand. From this sprang friendship.

As a friend he told fabulous stories. I listened to all of them and remembered them. Not as truth's, but as great tales. It was not until years later that I found these tales to be truth's.

He had this amazing youthful exuberance. Not for a man of his age, but for any man. He had a twinkle in his eye and a devilishly spry smile. He loved to build things. He loved to make things work.

As a guide he steered me through the rough waters of my late teens and early twenties. A time that if not handled properly can lead to much destruction. And although I managed to do some damage he worked hard to keep me in line.

This relationship evolved. He became a father figure to me. He often joked about this. Said he didn't father me but somehow became responsible anyway. Although he had another way of saying that. Complained about it a lot but always with that glimmer in his eye.

As a father figure he knew my wrongs and guided me, taught me, offered sound advice and an occasional thrashing. He was hard on me, demanding and with high standards but always there was a lesson.
Many in this room can lay testament to the heavy hand he used in this relationship. They often asked me why he was so hard on me. Well now I know more than ever why. Although I hated it at the time, I am ever grateful for it now. I would not be who I am today without the heavy hand of his teachings.

Those years were filled with stories of drinkin' & fightin' and days of glory. Now, you have to remember that I was a teenager and Da' Shifu wasn't. To me anyone over thirty was old. I thought he was exaggerating a tiny bit about the good ol' days. There was just no way I could believe they were completely true. Then one day he wanted me to go somewhere with him. That some where was camp. He had me walk with him as he went from group to group. He even convinced his black belts that he had been teaching me in secret and I could whip them all. Asked if anyone wanted to stand up and try. Shifu Perez inquired as to how long he had been teaching. Da' shifu thought this was hilarious. I didn't think that it was very funny at the time.

He told me much on that day. He told me things I will never forget. That day Al became Da' Shifu

Two years after our first meeting, my life was to take another change. I was injured and lost the site in one eye. At the time it was debilitating and disfiguring. I lost confidence in myself.
The Al I had known had pleasantly suggested on many occasions that I join his classes. I laughed it off as I see many people do when I suggest it.

This time was different. I was in his dining room, Marilyn was there. He said, "You have an appointment at the Lodi studio at 12 0'clock with Shifu Perez. Be there."
This was the first time I had heard the voice of Da' Shifu. There was no decision to be made. There was no acceptable answer than "OK"

We entered into yet another relationship. He became my teacher.
Now this is the side that most of you knew. I don't think I have to explain the magic in his teaching. The feeling you left with after a lesson. Every element was there. He was hard and brash. He was soft and gentle. He was energetic. He was relaxed. He was what his title meant, he was the great teacher. He still is the great teacher.

Da' Shifu taugh in principle and in parable. The lessons were not always easy but the important ones never are. His lessons were strong and soft. Scolding and forgiving. I will remember every lesson, every detail in Shou' Shu' and in life.

We eventually knew each other in business , when I chose Shou' Shu' as a way of life. As my business mentor he guided me and my school through six years of growth. His lessons and strength will guide me through the rest

Sometimes I would get so angry at him. I swore to myself I would not forgive him. Whenever I was angry with him, he would show up at my studio dressed in an old holy pair of jeans and an old worn out shirt. This was his normal attire. He would usually show up when I was terribly busy. I had things to deal with and no time to spare. And he would sit and talk about nothing. Old stories, life lessons, whatever. He would sit and talk and I would sit and listen. I sat and told myself over and over, I will remain angry, he will not break me down, I will remain angry. And he would talk. He would not leave and there was no telling him to go. Sometimes this took all day, sometimes only a few hours. Eventually he broke me down. It was impossible to stay angry. That sparkle in his eyes always got to you. There was no escaping it.

Then I would smile, and all was well and he knew it. He would put on his hat and off he went. And that was that.

Da' shifu taught me that in the end a great man is not judged by his own accomplishments. A truly great man is judged by the accomplishments of those he teaches. This was his standard. He told me it only once, but I remembered it. Looking around me in this room I see those he has taught. And through your eyes I see the reflection of a truly great man.

If you are a student who never had the opportunity to meet him. Do not worry, you have met him. He is in your teacher. Look for it and you will see him. You will see the wisdom, the skills, the life, the man. Everything that is him is not lost. It is here.

There is a Chinese poem that describes great men. It reads.

The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.
The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable
Because it is unfathomable
All we can do is describe their appearanse.
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream
Alert, like men aware of danger
Courteous, like visiting guests
Yielding, like ice about to melt
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood
Hollow, like caves
Opaque, like muddy pools.
Who can wait quietly while the mud settles?
Who can remain still until the moment of action?
These masters do not seek fulfillment.
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change.

He was my neighbor, my friend, my father figure, my teacher, my da' shifu, my mentor and my confidant. And I will miss them all.

Around our necks, many of us wear this medallion. Some of them silver, some of them gold. It reads as his name. It symbolizes the brotherhood that he created. It symbolizes what he has given us. It symbolizes the magic. It celebrates the lessons in life, in business, in Shou Shu.. It celebrates the man.

He has given me my hands, he has given me my eyes and he has given me my voice. There is no way I can thank him enough for these gifts.

Marilyn told me this one day:

In his last day, he woke up. And just like he has on so many occasions in the past he lined me out on a project.

He said, "We're gonna give Phil this project, We're gonna make sure he does it right. We're going to stand over him and watch him and make sure he does it right." Then he drifted back to sleep.

Don't worry Da' Shifu. I will do it right.

— Shun Shifu Phil Weaver