My Memory & My Forgetter: Rest In Peace to My Uncle Bill

My uncle Bill passed away on July 20 of this year. He lived to be almost 80 years old which to me, is pretty amazing. He was pretty quiet but every time he spoke it was almost always something I found value in. He didn't waste words, he always meant something from the heart when he spoke, at least when it came to me. I appreciate that very much and I love him for it.

During his memorial service the preacher gave a really good sermon. It was so good it actually didn't feel much like a sermon, it felt like he was just up there droppin' knowledge on you. During his sermon he touched on something I'll probably never forget and I wanted to share that here.

He spoke about how sometimes he realizes that his memory isn't working very well anymore. He used the example of putting something down in his home and coming back to find it and it not being there, searching for it incessantly, even getting to the point where he would blame others and say they took it. I think this is something many of us have done before and coming from him and the way he delivered his sermon the crowd found it humorous because he was an older guy. But this was his example of how his memory just isn't there anymore. And the reason he surmised, was because his "Forgetter" was working far better than his memory (again, he was an older guy, like 60+ older). I thought this was pretty funny considering we "all have our moments".

He went on to speak on how what needed to be remembered most was that we were at a memorial, a celebration of life, and a celebration of what God gave. And most importantly, to not be sad because that day wasn't about what God had taken away but what he gave 80 years ago. He gave the world my uncle like he's given the world all of us. He gave my uncle 80 years in this world filled with memories, relationships, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. And because of those memories, relationships, and people, God continues to give through my uncle.

The more I thought about it, the more I appreciated the sentiment. Again, 80s years is a LONG time. We all say we want to live to be 70, 80, 90, maybe even 100 years old. But do we all really think we'll make it to 70, let alone 80 years of age? My uncle lived a great life and showed love daily and was loved by many. I am happy that he was a part of my life and that he was able to be recognized sincerely as a great man at his memorial service by those who knew him. It was a great service and I feel like I left with a few things that'll stick with me for a long time, my memory, my forgetter (lol), and the point that God taketh away but he also gives us more than we can fully appreciate.

Holiday Flicks

This past weekend my family got together at my place (for the first time in a while) for family pictures. A co-worker of one of my very good friends happens to be a photographer (I recommend her if you are looking for a photographer for a family event or just a set of portraits) and I decided to request her services for a photo shoot of my family during the holidays. Naturally, my mother was 100% on-board with the idea.

So Sunday afternoon my dining room was turned into a photo studio and we took probably 150+ family pictures. We don't have the proofs yet but I did take a few with my camera phone that are shown below.







The best picture of the weekend however may have been the picture that my mother brought me from home. The picture below is from my step-brother's wedding day. My step-brother Manny is in the middle of this pic and my brother Marcus (whom a lot of you have met) is on the left. This picture is definitely on the list as one of my favorite family pictures. Funny thing is that my step-brother Manny probably looks younger than Marcus and me and he's the oldest. LOL.

Rest In Peace Ant'

For what seems to be like the 100th time now, I have lost another friend (in this case, more than a friend) to violence in the neighborhood I grew up in.

Since about 1995 I have seen more than 5 people I grew up with die from the gun.

I have known at least 3 times that many people that died from the hands of a gun.

I have seen several of my friends survive gunshot wounds.

I have been shot at.

I have gone to way too many funerals for people my age.

Even after all that I have pondered whether or not I wanted to own a gun myself. For "protection". The truth of the matter is the only protection you need is the man up above. Nothing good comes from owning a gun. Even if you're protecting yourself you may have to take someone's life to save your own. Or you may provoke someone that just wanted to scare you with their gun/weapon to kill you.

NOTHING good comes from owning/having a gun. They are meant to hurt/harm people!

My cousin Antwain and spent a lot of time together when I was younger. We played football together at the local boys and girls club. We played basketball together there too. We went on vacations together and tried to holla at all the girls, LOL. I lost my daggon virginity (on vacation at that, LOL...Is that personal enough JAC?) because he hooked me up with a friend of a friend. Memories I'll never forget and all that I will have from this point on. It hurts!

I had lost touch in the past few years and now I get to learn how to live with the regrets of not having been able to tell him "ayight joe" or "peace" or "I'll holla at you later" before we got off the phone. I never got the chance to have that conversation I wanted to have with him about where his life was headed. I had to have those conversations on my knees last night. I know he heard me.

Rest in Peace Antwain Simpson.