Student
name:
Professors
name:
Course
number:
Affiliation:
Eulogy of James
Albert
James Albert died on Thursday 12th
march 2015 at the age of 72. James was born in 1943 in a remote village in
Illinois Chicago, to Heinsten Roberts and Mary Brittle Roberts. He graduated
top of his class and he went on to have an M.A in Education from Harvard. He lived in the Mountains of West
Virginia for 25 years and then moved to Florida to be near the ocean. His
love for the mountains remained and he always visited the Appalachian, and Blue
Ridge Mountains every once in a while
He lived his life as a professional
writer, a teacher and a volunteer. He was raised in a strict catholic
background thus having the strong and uptight connection with God. He was blessed
with three children, Andrew, Robert and Rita whom they got together with his
partner Vanessa. These children to him were a great source of joy and blessing
to them in their married life.
James was a constant traveler promoting
his written works and giving lectures at state universities. He took pleasure
in visiting and exploring the world. I remember this one time he came back home
with a sculpture of the Buddha, and he was so pleased with himself and the work
he actually did and even wrote about it in one of his memoirs. There are a
number of things James wished he had done but did not. James wished he could
publish the book he was working on and met his end before he could put the
final touches to it.
James spent most of his 30 plus years
doing vocational and charity work.james always wondered how he could be of help
to anybody around him. There is this one time he came home rained on and
carrying a little child. He explained to us that he had found this kid on the
streets with no food and shelter. Despite our indifference about keeping the
child, James insisted that he should stay with us for a few more days until he
got a place to stay and he fully nurses the kid. Months later James came home
and announced that he was adopting the kid. We all could not believe it but
today the young tiny street kid he picked up several years ago is now a fully-grown
man and pursuing a career at one of the state universities.
He was passionate about humanity and a save
haven for everyone. He also volunteered as a counselor in the prison ministry
and used to give motivational speeches to the inmates. He never judged and was
willing to go to lengths to not only help financially but also make follow-ups.
This is justified by his numerous donations to churches and organizations.
He was never angered easily and was
quick to forgive and let go. He took great joy in doing the things he liked
best like swimming and reading the newspapers and books. He was a great fan of
john Howardgriffin and he mostly enjoyed his book ‘black like me’. He would
never get angered for any reason at all and whenever he did, he always knew how
to control and manage his temper.
He was an outgoing person who loved
groups and mostly enjoyed celebrating with family and friends. Many who knew
him will miss him for this reason and his absolute generosity. He still made
sure he hosted his families Shabbat dinners up until his demise. He knew all
his extended family members by name and even he always ensured that he bought
them gifts during his travels.
He was an organized man, and he always
remembered birthdays and anniversaries. His relationship with his wife Vanessa
was one many people admired and adored greatly. They always committed
themselves to doing certain traditions together and they always created time
for themselves. Due to their different careers it was difficult to spend most
time together but when they did they made sure it was worthwhile. There is this
time he took her to a vacation in South Africa and they came back rejuvenated
and full of life. That was how James wanted it, to make everyone happy
including his own family.
Though his parents died later in life
when he was a full grown man, James never got the hang out of it. He always
mourned them even to his own death. He always talked of their memories each and
every time he invited people over for a party or anniversary. He is survived by
two brothers and a sister, whose deaths he was sure he will not be able to
withstand.
In the last years of his life, since his
wife died he continued to write books and visit most charities he had set up.
He wrote letters to friends and several books that are yet to be published in
his honor. He also wrote and dedicated several letters to his friends and other
relatives and asked that they be distributed right after his funeral, wanting
to let all of us know that although he is gone, he is within our midst. With
all his communication skills towards the end, he seemed to be brief and always preferred
to write a small note to show to whomever it was he really wanted to
communicate to, instead of conversation.
At the end of it all, James wished that
he be remembered in many ways. Through his books, his charity work and the good
morals he taught his students. Indeed, he leaves behind a legacy that should be
emulated. He had
qualities I know to be true, despite the vicissitudes of daily life; he had a deep
desire to understand, and always strived for peace, honor and love. His journey
maybe over, but he will forever remain in our hearts forever. May he rest in
eternal peace.
Reference .
albert, james. "Eulogy for james albert."
funeral. chicago, illinois. 12 Mar. 2015. Speech.
No comments:
Post a Comment