A Crypt Through Memory Lane

This morning I was in Philadelphia for a funeral. Morticians and graveyards are the only ones who welcome death, but I’ve always felt at peace when laying the dead to rest. Funerals put life into perspective and although they are reminders of what’s been lost, they are further reminders of what still remains, life. When we observe and respect the fragility of life, most of life’s petty annoyances seems to be just that, petty. The smallest things cause us to lose focus on life’s important things. “Yesterday is gone, tomorrow’s not promised…today’s all we got!” was the message echoed throughout the pastor’s eulogy.

The internment was at Eden Cemetery, America’s oldest African-American-run cemetery. More importantly, the grounds hold the remains of many of my relatives including my paternal grandparents, great aunts, and cousins among others.  After my cousin was interned I had a chance to visit my grandparents’ graves and it was a rather surreal moment. While the tone of the conversations was jovial and my cousins joked and told stories about them, all I could think of was whether they would be proud of person I am and am I doing all that I can to be a accurate representation of who they were?

While it’s true that I need to create a individual legacy for myself, I owe it to those who came before me to live my life in a way that honors them. While I cannot give my grandfather a hug or kiss my grandmother, I can honor them through my conduct and behavior as one of their heirs.

1. inspireyourdream liked this
2. kylestilley posted this