I attended my cousin’s funeral last week and experienced some extremely surreal feelings about life and death.
My cousin was 22 years old and had been murdered by some piece of shit that will find his demise in prison. I’m not going to get into all of the circumstances surrounding his death though.
What I want to take this time to reflect on what was running through my head and talk living.
When I was riding in one of the vans during the procession, I wondered how my children will live their lives. I wondered if I would see them grow old and have kids of their own. Well, it was more hope than wonder. This life can be cut short at a moment’s notice and because of that, I need to keep instilling a love of life and the joy of living with the beauty that surrounds us every day. I need to show my children that creating, wondering, dreaming, and playing should be exercised everyday of their lives.
I never want them to settle for mediocrity. I want them to think big and be as curious as their heart’s desire. I want them to create their own paths and frolic on them with passion and laughter.
I have to show them how it’s done. I love being a kid at heart trapped in an adult’s body and I have to lead by example.
I don’t ever want to bury my children. They deserve a long life of happiness and love. I’m doing everything in my power to protect them and give them the tools to survive in this world. They’ll see the beauty in the gift of life and taught to tread cautiously and be aware of its dark side. That’s all I can do.
The tragedy of my cousin’s death is grim and perplexing. There are so many questions I have and so many emotions concerning my own children. I guess the only thing I can do in this situation is to move forward and continue teaching my children to live a great life.
It’s never too late for anyone to live a great life. All you have to do is want it and then make it happen. I’ve always told myself, friends and family that tomorrow is never promised. This will be what I tell my children when they are old enough to understand what it means.
So I tell you now,
TOMORROW IS NEVER PROMISED, LIVE ON!
