This past few days I came to realize..I DON'T....make a difference enough.
While attending the wake and funeral of Eric "Easy"Fredenburg I realized that the beautifull soul I had been blessed to know, literally hundreds that attended were as well. While talking to others and listening to stories of just how unselfish,loving,caring,considerate,kind,gentle,funny and compassionate he really was. In self reflection, I thought to myself...if I were 1/3 the wonderous soul he was..I might make a difference ..to someone..somewhere..somehow..hell, for that matter ...to myself. From his life I will take those memories and the stories shared..and try harder to become a better mother..a better friend..a better sister..a better person! I will make the effort to extend my hand and my heart and my ear to those I may have simply not taken the time to do so in the past. I learned that although the close friends I have may know that part of me..few others do. It's time to change that..it's time to smile more often ..to find the beauty in the simple everyday things..and extend those simplicities to others..in hopes that maybe..just maybe, I can make them smile. I am so fortunate to have known such a beautifull soul like "Easy" ..because he has touched my heart in a way that even I cannot explain clearly. As did so many in the past couple days. I experienced so much unconditional love and kindness it is amazing. I have asked to display these words in hopes that someone will read them and possibly see how much better our world could be..if only we followed some of these principles. I am NOT an oddfellow. I am however blessed and thankfull to have friends that are.
Rest in peace Easy and Thank you
03-10-59~04-01-07
I AM AN ODD FELLOW:
I believe in the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of man.
I believe in Friendship, Love and Truth as basic guides to the ultimate destiny of all mankind.
I believe my home, my church or temple, my lodge, and my community deserve my best work, my modest pride, my earnest faith, and my deepest loyalty, as I perform my duty "to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan" and as I work with others to build a better world, because, in spirit and in truth, I am and must always be, grateful to my Creator, faithful to my country and fraternal to my fellow-man;
I AM AN ODD FELLOW!
