Brother From Another

The words I dedicated to my brother on the day of his funeral.

Thaddius Orlando Weston
A.K.A
TEO

There's a saying that there is never a right time to say goodbye
Well since I have to say it at the wrong time can I at least know why?

God I don't get why you took back a son, brother, uncle, cousin, and grandchild
I guess I forgot time here is temporary and ultimately, he was your child

Lord I do thank you for the times and memories we've shared
His life is a blessing for us all, because we know you cared

Just let me speak to him a moment, and say a word or two
You know I need this time, Please God just from me to you

Teo, Wow you have been the man to me ever since I was five
Everything I couldn't do, you could do, in my eyes

You were faster in a race, and you could do better flips
I thought I was faster in my socks but at the end you won because I would trip

I thank you for all you have done in my life and the impact you made
You were my brother, cousin, and friend always and forever, till this day

As I look at the family there are a few smiles and many tears
Tell God we still have faith, but can't help wishing you were still here

Just to get one more I Love You and feel your warm embrace
To tell just one more joke, and see that smile across your face

I know Heaven is a beautiful place for which you were prepared
But get your wings and socks ready to race when I get there

Until then we'll hold it down and praise God for your home-going
He promised angels on Earth and your life was just him showing

Thanks God for your time, I appreciate it and I Love You
So everyone be calm and rest because, there's a smiling Teo above you

Letter to Life

Dear Life,

7am, this day, two years ago. My brother went home. I had never in my life loss someone so close, so influential, and so special to me. It hit me so hard, unlike anything i had ever felt before. Pain was an understatement, heartbreak just couldnt quite fathom the emotions that flowed through me. We dreamed so much, college, sports, family, kids, careers, cars, clothes, just about anything you could imagine.

March 7th was the day of his homegoing celebration. This day probably changed my life more than his actual death did. I asked to speak at his funeral service, my heart needed an avenue and that was the platform for my release. I woke up alone, got dressed alone, drove to the church alone. I needed me more than anything or anybody else, I had to prove to me who I was because I really didnt know.

I stood there in front the hundreds there in your remembrance. All eyes glazing up at me, your mother, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I wanted them to smile in the midst of their tears, me and you never did much crying. We never in the absence of smiles, so it just didnt feel fit for us to celebrate your life without them. There i delivered the most precious words i have ever written. Smiles lit up the room, even laughter. I cried at the end as i stared at your body, I'll never forget the warmth of your smile, the genuine love in your hug, or the sincerity in your eyes. Every day for the rest of my life my right arm bears your name, it reminds me of life, never death. No "R.I.P.", just your initials....T.E.O....I LOVE YOU

Your Eternal Brother,

Rob Hill

“To Measure the Man, Measure his Heart”

I am the man I say I am
From the way I walk
To the way I talk

A heart of gold
A mind of genius
A soul of God

The sound spirit of a champion
The mindset of a warrior
The demeanor of a conqueror

Yet stuck between the fear of the fight
Knowledge of the outcome
And ignorant of its importance

My feet cemented to a broken foundation
My mind loyal to lust and lies
My soul misplaced in mountains of confusion

A dead man with a heart
No sound, no rhythm
Just a lifeless organ

The mirror often reflects an image
The destruction of self or construction of self
My eyes reflected the heart of a stranger

Lack of care
Lack of concern
Lack of compassion

Damn shame when
Love leaves the heart
Life leaves the man