This past weekend I attended the funeral of my aforementioned friend’s young son Justin. Let me first say that I’m not a funeral person. I would happily volunteer to have a grand piano dropped on my head to avoid one. I’d agree to be the person holding the board at a dart contest for blind people rather than attend a funeral. I’d prefer discussing LGBT politics and the theory of evolution with a born-again evangelical Republican creationist…ok you get the idea. I’m happy to say that unlike the usual drawn out, cry your eyes red, throw yourself on the casket screaming “take me, take me” typical dreary funeral affair it was a beautiful & joyous ceremony. A true celebration of the short but extremely eventful life of a young man taken much too soon. Justin was active in theater, sports, peer counseling, school and community clubs and organizations you name it and he did it. His list of accomplishments at 16 read like someone twice his age. The ceremony included participation from his fellow choir members and several people spoke, including his elementary school teacher, one of his high school teachers and both of his parents. All gave loving tributes and all left the crowd of an estimated 1,700 (seriously 1,700, the ceremony required traffic control) feeling as though they knew him intimately. But what touched me most was when his father spoke.
He shared several stories including the one of his son at five years old eagerly and joyfully embracing his first chance to bless the table for a family meal. His father said he meticulously took the time to bless every single person he had ever met which went on for some time and at the end he asked for World Peace…at five years old. At such a young age his world view already included the need for peace. What a weight to carry at such an age. At five years old I was more concerned about whether or not I would receive that little red wagon I requested of Santa for Christmas…I got it, something to be said for being nice and not naughty. His father stated that he always felt his son was destined for greatness and when he reflected on the occasion of this story he thought perhaps this was somehow to be his legacy. So he had a request for the funeral attendees. He asked that we aid in fulfilling Justin’s legacy by posting signs, sending emails and texts, contacting our legislatures or anything to get the word out with this simple statement, Justin Carr Wants World Peace. That’s it, no more, five simple words.
So what were his Father’s expectations? Did he think this would somehow change the world? Did he think if we all posted signs wars would cease to exists? No, I think what he saw was an opportunity to make a powerful statement which embraced the memory of his son. Now I’m not a big chain mail person, in fact when someone sends me one I usually delete it without opening…believe me when I say I don’t need to send your friggin’ email to everyone in my contact list to receive my blessings for the day. However, I felt just this one time I’d conform. To be clear I’m not even asking that you forward this, that’s your decision. Quite simply I just thought it to be a beautiful sentiment and a profound declaration from the mouth of a child and I just wanted to put it out there… Justin Carr Wants World Peace.
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