I didn't know you personally but I knew of you. When my sister, Pam, told me the news— I was speechless. Searching for the right words to say. Have you ever wanted to say something eloquent but all you can say is "I'm so sorry."? Of all of the words in the dictionary there isn't one grand enough to comfort a grieving heart. When you lose a father, a son, a lover, and a friend, it feels as if a piece of your heart is missing. Pieces you gave to them to keep that you can't get back. And you wouldn't want to get those pieces back, even if it means only having a memory to hang onto.
My dad used to say, "Death only affects the living". Because we are left with the heavy burden of going on without your presence. Selfishly we want to hold on to you. Living in between two worlds— future moments planned, time we thought we had and wanting to rewrite the past, time we took for granted. Sometimes even the thought of being without you leaves us breathless. Other times a moment brings a smile to our face. The wave of emotions that are called "grieve". The crashes in the shores of our souls in random hours throughout the day tousling between "what was" and "what could have been".
Anger. Laughter. Frustration. Sadness. Hopelessness. Faith. Grieve. Peace.
Peace. Until it remains as just Peace. Because in our heart of hearts, we know that you fought— you fought hard. I'm sure you even debated with God to stay a little longer knowing the pain it would cause you but not wanting to disappoint those around you. A protector even to the last second. You wanted to protect that's what a father does even if it means you have to sacrifice. I didn't need to have met you, in humanly form, to know the kind of man that you are. Some of my favorite people in this world loved you and were loved by you and they carry it with them everyday— a badge of honor. And I see it. Their lives are better because of you. It would be an understatement to say "you will be truly missed"
These bodies are temporary, a testament for us to number our days. In a world that may have made you feel like you weren't worthy, I honor your life, Black King. Your life mattered, it counted for something. You were and are truly loved. You completed the task in which you were placed on this earth to accomplish. For that, I am proud of you. A fighter until the end. Now, it's time for you to rest. Love never dies nor can it be destroyed, it just changes forms. So we keep those impressions of your love as souvenirs that we were fortunate enough to have you in our lives. I hope you left this earth knowing how greatly and unconditionally you are loved. But then again, I don't doubt God's power to make even the endings of things beautiful.
This isn't a goodbye, as we were never these humanly vessels to begin with, but a "see you later".
So I say to you, Jerone Burke, may you finally get the peace that you were searching for, living freely without the constraints of this humanly body. Don't get tired now, you still have an eternity to discover and to unfold.