James Howard Uphold Sr.

This week as been really tough. I got the call Monday night that my Grandfather Uphold died. This is my Dad's Dad. I grew up right next door to him. He was a good man. He had his faults, but he was a good man. These last couple of years have been really hard for him. These next couple of years will be very difficult for my Grandmother.

An Uphold Reunion was started a couple of years ago. Which I would just like to say was a GREAT idea. I think it is a shame that families only seem to have time together for weddings, and funerals. Reunions give us an opportunity to really embrace each other. You can check out the Uphold Reunion website. That reunion is great fun. The man sitting in the wheelchair in the front is my Grandfather, James Howard Uphold Sr. My father was named after him. My brother was named after my father. My son's middle name was from them all.

I was unable to attend the funeral. I am very sad about this. I had allot of reasons which seem pathetic, and irrelevant as I am writing this so I will not mention them. There are no do overs in life, but if there was a do over I would be there today for the funeral.

I am relying on my sister to tell me every detail. I know she will. I asked my sister to make sure the pulling of the flowers and laying them at the casket and singing of amazing grace gets done at the grave site. I know she also asked for this song to be played at the beginning of the funeral service.
Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin


The Dash
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?