For the honor of all souls.

I was on vacation recently when I learned that one of my first cousins had passed away suddenly. We were not close. He was a good bit older than me and we did not spend time together growing up because our fathers did not get along with one another. I simply remember a chubby faced boy with an infectious grin.

I do not know what kind of man he became. I do not know if he was a good father, or a good husband or just a good human being or not. What I do know is that, even though we had no real relationship, I feel saddened by this death. It's always a bit unnerving when the relatives that make up your generation start to pass on. I drive by his house every morning on the way to work and I would note his presence there in the world...even if it was just to say mow your damn lawn Max. I acknowledged that he was there and that he was a part of my family.

I do not judge his family because I do not know anything about their relationship or their financial situation. But it makes me melancholy to know that there was no obituary for him, no service, no burial, no acknowledgment that he had died. I do not even know if, or where, they interred his ashes.

I firmly believe that all souls are put on this earth for a reason and even if they are less than stellar human beings their presence and their death should be noted and honored. They are a part of our world for better or worse. Their lives make up a part of our collective lives. When one of us dies a tiny portion of our memories goes with them. Our lives are diminished a wee bit when each soul passes on. Therefore I honor them.

So...this is all I have for you Max. I hope you are in a better place and I honor your life and your passing. Namaste cousin.