I remember this day so well - November 2008.  Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2004 and came out remission in 2008.  It was soooo aggressive but he did not allow that to stop him from casting his final vote for the First African-American President - Barak Obama.  

My mom and I carefully escorted him to the car, fragile as a new-born.  His pain did not compromise his determination to cast his final vote!

As the day progressed, he sat in front of the TV watching the polls.  Finally around 10:30pm, it was announced that Barak Obama had won the presidency.  The tears rolled down his face like a water-fountain as he said, "I got the opportunity to witness the FIRST African American president!  I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE THIS DAY!"  This was such a solemn moment that has been engraved in my heart.  

Sleep on DADDY!  I hope you and Lil Greg are having a WONDERFUL time in HEAVEN with all of our loved ones.  

Gone too soon!

Hey G:

Here is probably what you would look like today!  Although u look more like Mom....

A great debate once raged in Heaven on July 4, 1985.  It was over a most beautiful and precious new soul that God had created.  His name was Gregory Maryland Jr.  Once the angels saw him, they debated what should be done with his soul.  One group of angels demanded that his soul remain in heaven.  “He is too pure, too holy to face the ugliness of the lowly world,” they said.  “Who knows what will happen to him in a world of temptation and evil.  This soul must stay with us here.”

The other group of angels said the exact opposite:  “Indeed Gregory’s soul glows with a unique divine glow.  But for that very reason, he must go down to earth.  Imagine the beauty and goodness his soul can bring to a dark world.  What good is there in keeping such a soul in heaven?  Let him descend to earth and shine her light.”

They argued back and forth, each side unshakable in their view.  Until it became perfectly clear that they could not resolve this issue themselves, they needed a Higher Authority.  The case was brought to God Almighty.  The angels stated their arguments before the heavenly court.  God listened to the two opinions – the first group of angels arguing that Gregory’s unspoiled soul is too holy to be plunged into the lowly world; the second group of angels countering that the world needed such souls as Gregory’s more than anything.

And this was God’s response:

“Indeed it is sad to send such an immaculate soul into such a dark world.  But this is My will.  I only created darkness so souls like Gregory can transform darkness into light.  The whole purpose of creation was that the lowly world be refined by the good deeds of mortal human beings.  This cannot be achieved by souls in heaven.  It can only be achieved through souls in bodies.  And so even this most perfect and pure soul must descend to earth.” 

The first group of angels, who requested that Gregory’s soul remain in heaven, was disappointed.  They couldn’t fathom how such a spiritual being could be expected to survive such a physical world.  God turned to them and said, “As for your request to keep Gregory’s soul up here, I will grant it partially.  Though she must leave us and go down to earth, I will allow him to stay 19 years before he will return to us.  His sojourn on earth will be brief.  Such a brilliant soul will not need to fulfill his mission.  Soon he will be free to come back to heaven.”

God then turned to the second group and asked, “Are you satisfied with that?  Do you accept that Gregory’s soul can only be on earth for a limited time?”

The angels replied, “Yes we do.  Every day that he is on earth is a blessing.” This pure and perfect soul was descended to earth on July 4, 1985 and reunited in Heaven on November 20, 2004.

Hey G. I can't believe its been 10 years... I miss you and think of you often. You were such a nice person and friend. I don't have too many stories.. Mostly just remember riding around with you and Bryan, sometimes with Caitlyn too. I also remember riding around trying to track down Bryan when he was with you  lol. Ya'll were always up to something. Those were the days... I remember when I was in beauty school, bryan would bring you and Josh to the school for facials. I thought it was sweet of ya'll to come help me out with credits, meanwhile knowing ya'll just wanted bryan to bring ya'll check out the ladies. Bryan still talks about you all the time. He calls you his brother :) I know we'll get to see you again one day. Until then, look out for us.. And give Stephanie a hug from me. Love you always 

Hello baby boy.  It is your Mom.  I am longing to see you again!  I miss your laugh, your smile, and most if all your warm embrace.  I am constantly searching for you in every stranger I see with your physical makeup or with the braids neatly braided back.  Your friends are visiting us and missing you much -- especially Brian.  He really loved you like a true brother.  He really misses you!  You know sometimes I just sit in your room and immerse myself in something of YOU.  I could feel your presence.  Just want you to know YOU are loved always and forever!

It has been nine years of emptiness without you. You were the sparkle in my eyes and the son I prayed for.  I think of you every moment, looking for you every where I go.  When I see others, I am always looking for some part of you within them - perhaps your smile, the twinkle in your eye, your laugh, your loving embrace.  WOW, how I missed the way you use to embrace me - so gentle and loving.

Even today, I have strange encounters with strangers who share WONDERFUL memories of how you touched their lives.  I have always been proud of you.  Your testimony of your kindness and love you had for others touched many lives.

I LOVE YOU!

MOM 

I remember a lot of times with me and you.You used to pul my hair and make me fight you back even though we were playing around.I wish you were here to celebrate all of the seasons year round.You are sadly missed but an unforgotten one.Love you always.India Marylamd.Your sister.

I think you were the first baby I ever held (or tried to at least, haha).  I remember sleeping over at your mom and dad's when you were a toddler.  I can still see you running down the hall and hear the sound of your diaper crunching as it moved with you. Those years are some of my fondest childhood memories.  Auntee Pam would call us (usually Keisha, Toya, Tameka, me, Channie, Keneisha, and Gendia) up for a sleepover (or a babysitting/cleaning endeavor, who knows...hehe ;)) and we would pile in her Ford Bronco and head to Gray for the weekend.  We ALL hated those frightening clowns in your bedroom!  Our only option to avoid sleeping in your "scary" room was to make a pallet on the floor in the living room; which we did happily!  When we'd wake, your mom would make everyone HUGE pancakes (good nonetheless!) that we'd all devour before heading outside to play (after picking up our pallet of course. ;)  We all treasure the wonderful, warm memories created spending time on Linda Ann with you and your parents.

As everyone else, I don't remember you crying much as a baby.  However, I do remember you crying as you got older! LOL  Only when we were in the car it seems.  Your mom would turn the radio up full blast to drown the sound of your wailing!  I didn't really get it then, even though l used to snicker when she'd pump up the volume.  Her actions are so clear to me now, and I find myself doing the same thing when my kids cry in the car!  As soon as we pulled up to mama and papa's house your bawling would stop.  You were so cute though, the sobbing did not stop any of us from wanting to be around you.  My last memory of you, as an adult, was for Christmas down the bayou.  Your hair was long and braided.  After not having seen each other for quite some time, you greeted me with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek.  Your demeanor as pleasant as ever.

Looking back, it feels like just yesterday all of this was happening.  I remember the day you passed all to vividly. :(  Reliving it now brings me sorrow.  I was almost 8 months pregnant with my first child.  At your services, she was flipping, flopping, kicking, and turning in my body in a way I had never experienced before - and never have again.  When she was about 3 years old, Auntee Troy said "She has eyes like lil Gregory", which made me think back to how lively she was during, and only during, that brief moment at your funeral.  Sometimes it's weird to me, but mostly, it brings me joy to imagine that a piece of someone I have loved lives on in others.  You, of course, will forever dwell within us all - our memories, minds, and hearts.  I will forever mourn your swift and unexpected departure, and endlessly cherish your time with us.  We LOVE and MISS you lil Gregory!!  Until we meet again. <3

your cuz,
Erika