Unconditional Love Personified
See the picture of the man within this post? That is a picture of my Uncle Eddie and he is Unconditional Love Personified!!!! Every single time I saw him, he had that same smile (sometimes even larger) just for me. He always reminded me of how special I am. He always reminded me that I was loved, accepted and appreciated for being me. He made sure to remind me….”You’re a Johnson” (although my last name is Keil).
My Uncle Eddie was oftentimes misunderstood. However, now I realize that Unconditional Love Personified is often misunderstood. It may be mistaken for weakness when it is the tie that binds family, friends and loved ones through the years and through some pretty rough times. It may be mistaken for selfishness when it the most self-less, giving person one could ever know. It may be mistaken for cold and heartless when in fact in it’s purest state burns a flame of heartfull love. It may be mistaken as being untrustworthy when in fact you can ‘bet your life on it’.
I received a call on yesterday morning informing me that my Uncle Eddie died. I knew he was ill, yet I refused to think he would leave me so soon. Then I had to ask myself what is ‘so soon’? And who am I to say it was ‘so soon’? My answer…I was not willing to accept that everything has it’s timing. There is a time for Unconditional Love Personified to grace me with his presence. And there is a time for Unconditional Love Personified to grace me with his absence. And although I would have liked him to stay around a little longer, I respect and honor his desire to shed the weight of his physical body. And I will remain open to enjoying his spirit from time to time. I love you Uncle Eddie and please know that your 1st Baby Dog-ing misses you greatly!!!!!
Death is nothing at all, you have only slipped
away into the next room. I am I, and you are you.
What ever we were to each other, that
we still are. I will call you by your old familiar name,
speak to you in the easy way which I
always used. Put no difference in my tone,
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes
we enjoyed together. Let your name be the household word
that it always was. Let it be spoken without effect,
without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means
all that it ever meant, It is the same as it ever was;
there is unbroken continuity, Why should you be
out of mind or heart because you are out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere
very near, just round the corner. All is well.
