In Honor of My Uncle

A limb has fallen from the family tree.

I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me.

Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.

The good life I lived while I was strong.

Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.

Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.

My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.

Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.

Continue traditions, no matter how small.

Go on with your life, don't worry about falls

I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.

Until the day comes we're together again.

When I think of my uncle I can't help but smile. He was a hard worker, a dear husband, respected father, beloved grandfather and great-grandfather. Yet he was much more than that. When I mentioned his passing to my father the first thing out of his mouth was that he was a great friend. When I mentioned his passing to a family friend she said he was a great provider. When I think of him I recall being a child and him letting me sit on his back and brush his hair including his bald spot. He will truly be missed. If you attended a Hugle family cookout he always made sure you had everything you needed to have a great time. As a matter of fact our last conversation ended with him asking if I had gotten enough to eat. He was always a great host. When I heard the news of his passing I was overcome with sadness but my cousin said it best when she told me he passed doing what he loved and that gave me peace. 

I’m sure my Aunt Joyce and cousins Rodney, Russell, Rendell, and Rontae have many more stories to share about him as a husband and a father. We all have stories about Uncle James Foster or as my uncles called him Sweet A and the laughter that he gave us. Although he left us suddenly his life will not easily be forgotten. His memory will always be with us, and his legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. 

My uncle’s death serves as a reminder to me how short life is and that there is no time for later. If you haven’t had lunch with an aunt in awhile do it. If you haven’t seen a cousin is awhile go visit. It seems cliché to say that we have to enjoy our time with our loved ones now because we cannot predict when they will be taken away from us, but it is very very true. Our family is extremely blessed that we are and have been so close after all these years. It is in these times of loss that we must and will pull together even tighter. When I think of my uncle I am not sad for I know he is now at rest and looking upon us hoping we’re having a great time. 

As we celebrate his life I’d like to leave you with this scripture: 

 ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rest in Peace, James Foster 

October 17, 1943-August 9, 2011