It was the worst of times and the best of times...

I would like to apologize for the late posting this week. Please read on an understand why.

There are some crazy days and then there was this weekend. My world was changed in quite the dramatic fashion. It would be overwhelming except I'm not alone. I have my Family with me. They comfort me with their presence and their love.

When a family loses a member; it doesn't matter how or why; it hurts. There are so many ways that we bond and connect in life. Your family will always hold a special place. They exceed your understanding in ways that come out through sharing memories. Discovering who came before you and pursued similar dreams, passions, and loyalties. The same type of bumps in the road and the same type of victories and achievements. This weekend participated in the Home Going ceremony for my Uncle. As with all things Uncle Boozer it wasn't the sweetest and easy to handle moment, but there were smooth talkers to calm all the hot tempers and we made it, as a family.

During the services I intended to speak but there was no shortage or hesitation by others to speak, so I let them share their thoughts and feelings while I took it all in. Now I'll put my thoughts here.

My Uncle, Bruce Edwards, was a good man. He wasn't always understood. He didn't agree with being limited or directed. He forged his own path, and it was beautiful. Uncle B could always make a moment light. He could shrug off the tension and awkwardness of any moment with just a few words. I wont say those words here but if you knew the man, then you knew the man.

Some people might be worried about his passing because of the religious rhetoric about Hell. But even with thoughts of Hell there are other teachings that tell us God doesn't work like man does. Three such points that I think of right away are:

First, God gave us free will. - Not so that we could give it up and be puppets. Free will allows us to find and explore the truth of things. So that if someone tries to deceive us we have the right to challenge the lies and know the truth.

Second, God's view is not mans view. - We see pieces of a person. We can't know all of them, because we are not with them and apart of them for every moment of their life. The experiences of life have a big impact on how you handle the challenges you face in every tomorrow. If someone doesn't find compassion with the discipline, or encouragement and reward for hard work. It makes a difference. What I'm saying is that no one knows the whole of a persons story. So remember not to judge, but strive to understand.

Third, God is very clear about the need for order and discipline, but he is also infinitely merciful. While God may not agree with an action, God has the capacity to understand the action and truly teach us better.

Excerpt from the Bible [New International Version (NIV)]
A letter from one of Jesus's disciples
Titus 3 
…. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.


From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+3&version=NIV>


Ultimately I believe that Death is a part of Life. That without death people wouldn't understand the value of time. If you know you have forever you can wait on anything and everything. If you understand time you know the time to get something done, is now. Tomorrow isn't promised.

Also, death isn't the end. The soul or spirit of being isn't the flesh and bone. It's the energy that's inside that body and the character and personality that make each of us unique. That energy doesn't disappear. It moves on and finds the next realm of possibilities. In God's house there are many rooms….


Well clearly so far it's been about the worst of times, but oddly enough we found some joyful moments during such and incredibly dark moment. My sister and a newly found cousin found each other on Facebook. Once the introduction via phone were done a date was immediately set for a get-together. The idea that something this sad would happen anytime is hard to understand but days before we are reunited with another half of our family?! Unthinkable.

That's happened though. A Family Uniting in joy was tinged with sadness. That family was amazing though. They stayed by our sides throughout the service and help to return us to moments of joy and excitement with their stories of even more family that didn't make it for this trip. This trip was all about the siblings. The Children of Rose Edwards! What a unit! They are loud, loving, loud, sassy, loud, quick witted, honest and just in case you missed it LOUD!

They bonded as if the years apart were just a minute. They didn't stop short with hugs or curses. They laughed through it all and never stopped talking about Uncle Bruce.

As it's titled, so it was.

F.L.I.