They said something about my hat but no disrespect. I know how much my Grandma Doris loved them & when she was dressed you couldn’t tell her nothing. So I wore it in her absence to honor her memory. I know she’d tell me today “Go on ahead & pop your collar Robbie!”
I’m nervous… You could even say a little terrified because I’m not fond of speaking in front of ppl especially on occasions like this but I’m also humbled & honored to be in this position. It’s strange or surreal standing here once again… I was here with the family & left no more than a few weeks ago & even when I left then, somehow I knew I would be back. It’s like I forgot something or there was something that I left unfinished… I’ve been back & forth on visits but for this time it was different… It’s where I’m able to know things (we all are) but we’re not always meant to understand them.
I’ve been blessed to see God work in my life more & more this year but not comprehend where he is going until he takes us there. He will reveal the big picture to you but life requires his grace & your willingness to pay attention for you to interpret the details & perceive what you need to see. She was the oldest of a generation that now no longer exists in this realm but the legacy lives on as we have been bought here today. All the original copies are gone but we have the carbon copies that are still here
When grandma Doris went home I found myself thinking about what it must have been like to be in Aunt Lavernes shoes. She was so strong. I know because she was the oldest & I began to understand where she was at being that I’m the oldest of 7 myself. I thought about how I would feel to see them go home & it made me sad to think that one day I might be without them but I also know how much in that same case that I’d be overjoyed to be reunified with my loved ones.
This experience has been tough but enlightening. In the fact until yesterday I didn’t know how badly my family was hurting, how bad they’re grieving or how much they’re goin through but you could say I have a clue now. There is much work to do & as our circle gets smaller our family should be sure to hold each other just a little tighter.
I think that today as we mourn there is one big party in the sky right now. Can you picture that? As we weep the departure of our Auntie, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandma & friend I can imagine the angels sing, the gospel plays a & the Saints dance in celebration of a family reunited in the heavens. James, David, Anthony, Johnny, Donald, Margaret, Doris, Laverne they’re all together again now. So rather than grieve I choose to smile because she would want us to make the very best of this life that we could just as she did. Let your soul not be troubled nor your heart downcast. Pray, lift each other up, embrace one another, stay in touch more frequently & show up more often. Most of all take care of yourselves & each other. This family surely needs it. I love ya’ll.
1 Peter 5: 1-7
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.