Blessings in Funerals

Sounds weird enough, and I certainly don't look forward to funerals at all. People have a way of...um...losing their minds when it comes to watching loved ones be forever still. A distant-yet-beloved cousin (or aunt) of mine passed on this week and the funeral was this morning.

Well first of all I got in from Cleveland late last night and barely slept from dreaming and planning for the days and weeks to come. When I woke up this morning I was looking for every reason to stay in bed, call my dad up and say "I think I'll stay back." But something told me to go. When I got there I knew why. It was great to see my family again.

My uncle turned to me at one point and said, "you'd think we were in New Orleans", and he was right, but in a good way. It was a celebration; all that was missing was the marching band. Smiles, laughs, and good times aplenty; it FELT like I was around family. You know, when you can let your guard down and know that all is well. Most of us young folks don't get that a lot. For one, we aren't around family much. I don't say "grind" anymore, but I do work. There's this lady who calls me once a week just to say "call your grandmother" and every time she does it I get sick of it, but she's right. We need to call our grandmothers. Today I did one better. I saw her and gave her a kiss. I squeezed her and told her I loved her and if it felt awkward for me it was perfect for her. I saw aunts and uncles I rarely see. And I'm kicking it with my cousins after this nap I won't take. We smiled and laughed and I was energized to see my family again. The DeShazier/Waite/Franklin/McCann folks are all super (so much that I said "SUPER"). I wish I could see them more. The only person missing today was Lee Ethel McCann...

Which is why we were there. But there are blessings in funerals, and I feel blessed and full of love right now. Which is helpful, because I rap in Chicago. Call your grandmother now. CALL, don't text. and plan a visit for next week. And if it's not her then someone who would LOVE to see you and talk your ear off. And go have your ear talked off, and tell her about college and your secret crush. You'll be better for it, and PM will continue to grow.