Ninja's blog: "This and that"

I've learned some things at the darkest points of my life.

I'd like to share them, and hopefully, it makes some other people realize, everything truly does happen for a reason.

I grew up around death. As long as I can remember, every so often, a family member or someone close would pass. I never had the chance to know my father's parents, and my mom's passed when I was very young. Even though I was 3 when he passed, I vividly remember my paw paw. How he looked, how he smelled, down to his big green orthodic pillow and his huge blue puppy-dog eyes. I remember him tapping on the bed when we would come over on Sundays, wanting us all to pile in the bed and cuddle with him. He loved us and wanted us close, but he was old, and bed-ridden. I smile to this day thinking about him. My maw maw was disabled, and in a wheel-chair. She passed when I was 6, about a month after she had cataract surgery. She held out through the pain and suffering to see us once in her life. The memory I have of her is her, in tears, telling my mom it was the first time she had ever seen our faces. And that she could go in peace knowing her grandchildren.

I think many take for granted their grandparents, and how much time they get with them. They were only a brief passanger in the vehicle of my life, but the lessons I took from them was to cherish the time you have, and to celebrate them, not mourn them, when they are gone. They live on through you. Your memories, your love, and your eyes. I think this is the real reason I was so drawn to Second Line as the name of my company. Jazz Funerals are a tradition here in New Orleans, and one of the most soul-cleansing experiences you could ever be a part of. It puts a physical celebration with a spiritual release. 

I've lost a lot of people along the path, from accidents, illnesses, intentional acts. I've seen incredible cruelty, and unconditional love. Behind all the tears, and heartache of loss, though, I have always been able to think back on them all and laugh, or smile. And I truly think that, where ever they might be, they'd be happy to know they still make me smile.

The lesson I've learned is not to fear loss. It always happens, but you never really lose anything. Whatever it is, it always has a place in your heart. And as long as you think of it, from time to time, it lives on through your memories. So share those memories, commit them to word so that they can live on forever.

♥