I previously recorded a podcast episode titled “Don’t Judge Life“. This is actually one of my top downloaded episodes. We have a tendency to judge everything that happens to us as either good or bad, right or wrong. And we carry those labels around with us which often times prevents us from fully showing up to life.
My uncle Sidney passed away yesterday unexpectedly. He died of a stroke. He would be turning 57 this Saturday 7/15 which is the day he will be laid to rest.
Lately I’ve been thinking about how we (I) tend to judge death. We think that life has cheated some people or that death stole them right beneath our eyes. Death steals lives in the middle of the night or at the break of dawn. It snatches them in their sleep or while they’re driving in their cars. Death is a sneaky little thing that many despise and fear.
But what if death like life is not to be judged? Who’s to say when is the right or wrong time for someone to leave this earth? We all have to go sometime. Who am I to decide when life has cheated someone or when life gave favor to another?
I like to think that death is like a remembrance, similar to a dream on the tip of consciousness. When the dream finally comes into awareness there’s a, “Oh yeah, that’s what it was. I remember now.” I think when you die you come into remembrance of who you are and where you come from. You remember that you were first a spirit and you are now simply returning home. I think any agreements or assignments you took on before coming to earth are remembered. And I don’t think the soul is surprised by death, only the body is.
I also like to think that when people die they were ready. They had completed all their tasks and assignments. It was simply their time to go. Although 57 seems like a young age to die my uncle was blessed in that he raised all his children into adulthood. 9 in total (I think). He had the chance to meet and play with his grandchildren. He was surrounded by the love of his family. He was so blessed in those 57 years.
My human mind doesn’t understand death. It doesn’t understand the afterlife. How can I judge that which I know nothing about? When I hear about a tragic death, young or old in the future, I will refrain from judging it. I will choose to believe that that person was blessed beyond measure, they gave everything inside of them to give, and their steps were ordered by the Lord. I choose to believe that their soul is at peace, not regretting or feeling cheated of anything.
Even as I write this I still hope and pray I’ll live to a ripe old age. I think as we remove our judgments of death it gives more meaning to life. Sometimes death teaches us what life is. Everyday that we are alive we know that there is still more for us to experience and do and give. And we know that there’s a deadline. We don’t know when it is, but we know enough to try to make the best of life.
My uncle has passed but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Of course those he has left behind will mourn for him and miss him. But in due time we will all meet again just as he has gone on to be with his parents and younger brother. I can only imagine what a blessing that is for him. He’s reunited with loved ones he hasn’t seen in decades.
Uncle Sidney loved big and always had a big smile on his face. He had such a jolly personality. I had recorded Facebook live videos on practicing gratitude and he saw them and called me. That was the last time I talked to him. That was such a funny call, but I was glad to hear from him. He said he was going to try out the 5 Day gratitude challenge!
I’m grateful that we had that chance to connect that day. I’m grateful that he was and is my uncle. I know he loved me and his other nieces and nephews. I’m grateful that his life was full of love.
Rest in peace, uncle Sidney. Love you and always will! <3