I Case I Can't Speak

I rarely have a problem speaking, but I've been ask to speak at my Grandma's funeral. She passed away today, early this morning. I'm in San Juan Puerto Rico on way way back to Alabama for the funeral. I spoke to Mom. She's doing okay, but she also informed me that I would need to say a "few words" at the funeral. My preference is no for fear my emotions will overcome my words, but this is not a time you say "no" to someone who's lost their mother. So, by God's grace, I will say something.

But in case I can't speak the words I want to because of emotions, or whatever, I will say...

First of all, my Grandma was amazing to me as a boy and young man. From chocolate milk from a bottle delivered by a milk man many years ago, to washing my stinky uniforms at the steak resturant I worked at, she loved to love on me. And, all those and many more jestures of love, without ever being asked. And, the final words my Grandma said to me as she hugged my neck in January, and I had the thought of that possibly being the last time I'd see her on this side, "I love you." And that she did.

Because of people like my Grandma, and probably for people like you, we have never stood alone. We have never lived aloned, or prayed alone, or succeeded alone. We have stood on the shoulders of some incredible family. And whether it is my dear friend Shana Bruno and her awesome family (who happens to be Jewish) or all the families I know that have Christian faith backgrounds, how incredibly blessed we have been. I only have to look in the DR and Haiti to know how broken families can produce broken lives. And yet, that is not our experience. Far from it. And, the only reason it is not our experience is that God has blessed us with the deep loving relationships from our families. Our family may be far from perfect. Far from easy sometimes, but it's the marathon that counts, not the sprint. And it's the marathon we've all run in, and the marathon of our grandparents (and uncles, and aunts, and cousins, good friends, and our faith family) that make those bonds special.

So, thank you Grandma for the shoulders to stand on, to lean on, to laugh on, to cry on. You blessed my life in ways I will only understand perhaps on the other side of life. But I am at least beginning to see how amazing my life is because of you. Thank you. I truly wish you rest. I hope you're having an amazing reunion with my grandfather, and my father, and Joey, and others we've had to let go on this side. And, I will do my best to honor the value of family that you instilled in me.

But, in case I can't speak at your funeral, perhaps you'll get this message.