Have you ever thought about how you will be remembered when you die? As I get older, I do more often. I wonder if people will think well or ill of me. Of  course, I want to be thought of favorably. I have heard the saying, "live your life so you will be missed." To me, that means leaving a positive, lasting impression.

Over the past several months, I lost two family members that were dear to me--my cousin-in-law and my brother-in-law. Coincidently, they both were age 54, so their passings were sudden and unexpected. My cousin-in-law suffered a heart attack, and my brother-in-law drowned. Their leaving here seemed tragic and untimely. However, God knows what is best.

Both of my in-laws were people everyone seemed to love. My sister-in-law was the type of woman who would say, "girl, you're so anointed" instead of "girl, you're so crazy. My brother-in-law was the church version  of Bernie Mac. Consequently, both homegoing services drew a crowd, especially my brother-in-law's, which had standing room only. Below is the poem, "I Shall Remember You, which I read at his funeral.

I Shall Remember
©  2011 Sylvia L. Green-Chatman
In memory of Leroy Chatman, 1957-2011

I shall remember the brotherly smiles,
Carrying me across hundreds of miles.
I enjoyed you driving for our church trips.
You brought entertainment and fellowship.

I shall remember hysterical laughs,
Quickly removing sadness from my path.
When I called for lightness to restore me,
You stayed timely with a funny story.