Life, Death and Grief

Greetings Everyone,

I hope you are all well today. I am a firm believer that everyone has a story. We each have a beginning, middle and and an end. We are all unique, as we have varied life experiences. As I have stated many times before, there is a purpose for everything. With that being said, we all live; and at some point, we all die. It is a part of life However while we live, we are not immune to the trials and tribulations of life. Life is a rollercoaster, which is filled with an abundance of highs and lows, peaks and valleys, and lastly tragedies and triumphs. It is up to us to make an impact on others as we navigate through living life. One of my all time favorite actors and comedians, Martin Lawrence said in his Runteldat movie to, “Ride this motherfucker until the wheels fall off.” Excuse the language. I strongly believe in this sentiment. It means to live your life until you can live no more. No matter what happens in life, we as people need to learn and grow as well as bounce back from whatever life throws at us. We have to play the cards that we are dealt.

While we have to do the best that we can during life, there are many instances when we are not prepared for death. An example of this is the excessive instances of Go Fund Me pages which are prevalent on various social media platforms where families of deceased people request a certain amount of donations for the loved ones to pay for funeral expenses and other final expenses. Unfortunately, this has become such a norm that there are these Go Fund Me pages for an abundance of other reasons outside of death. I have personally donated to numerous pages over the years. I am not an advocate of their use, as I heavily believe in planning as much as possible. At the same time, I know people need help at times. Things happen that we cannot avoids nor always prepare for.

In my life, I have met many people. I have interacted with so many people for various reasons. Whether it was because of school, or my family members, associates or friends. I also have a face that people seem to remember, as I am often stopped by someone who knows me from my past for one reason or another. I am usually asked about relatives (mainly my sister and father). I don’t always remember faces, but I usually remember names. I also believe that we all cross path for a reason. Everyone is meant to teach you something. We can all stand to learn a thing or two from one another. Some interactions make navigating this thing called life easier.

I have personally lost a lot of people for a number of reasons. Many of those people were lost due to death. We never fully know or understand when it is someone’s time to go. My message is simple – spread love. Live each and every day like it is your last. Strive to be the best person that you can be. Also do the best you can. Learn as much as possible. Treat each person like it is your last. I often wonder how I will be remembered when I am dead. I wonder if I made an impact on people. I continue to mourn everyone who has passed away. I think about them often. No death has affected me more than the late, great Michael Jackson. I cried like a baby when he passed. I play his music daily. There is a song by Lil Duval called “Smile (Living My Best Life).” I believe heavily in this as life is too short.

Let us to continue to revere and remember those who are no longer with us. Let us continue to be the best versions of ourselves daily. Live your best life. Be blessed and positive. Spread love and joy.

~ Rayne Elise

** This post is dedicated to the memory of my Uncle Tony. You are deeply missed. May you Rest In Peace and fly high. I am at peace knowing you are no longer suffering.