A TRUE STORY
(Not edited, a rough sketch)
I never knew Edwin personally.
I saw him first seven years ago, a year before the accident.
I didnt know what to expect before meeting him.
In 2005
We met at the border between Canada and Detroit.
I knew instantly he was a social kind of guy.
The opposite of what I am--more laid back and introverted.
He struck me as a intelligent man. He was a curious personality
He questioned the whole time, he wanted to learn about us.
He asked about Jamaican politics and the currency
And what I do there.
It took four damn hours to drive from Indiana to Detroit.
Uncle drove around Detroit City. We ate at a restaurant.
We watched a game. Time was short.
It was not a satisfying visit. It was a hi and bye
Cause we didnt have much time and it was late.
(Not edited, a rough sketch)
I never knew Edwin personally.
I saw him first seven years ago, a year before the accident.
I didnt know what to expect before meeting him.
In 2005
We met at the border between Canada and Detroit.
I knew instantly he was a social kind of guy.
The opposite of what I am--more laid back and introverted.
He struck me as a intelligent man. He was a curious personality
He questioned the whole time, he wanted to learn about us.
He asked about Jamaican politics and the currency
And what I do there.
It took four damn hours to drive from Indiana to Detroit.
Uncle drove around Detroit City. We ate at a restaurant.
We watched a game. Time was short.
It was not a satisfying visit. It was a hi and bye
Cause we didnt have much time and it was late.
Anyway
We only talked few hours before I went back to Indiana.
But really and truly you cant know a person in two to three hours.
I had never seen my cousins before,
and was disappointed that the trip was so short.
And even though I spent two months in America it felt like two weeks.
On the way back to Jamaica
But really and truly you cant know a person in two to three hours.
I had never seen my cousins before,
and was disappointed that the trip was so short.
And even though I spent two months in America it felt like two weeks.
On the way back to Jamaica
I was very emotional, but I held it in.
I remember when the news about the accident broke.
It was 2006 around fall.I remember crying after the telephone from Lois.
They said it was a car accident. I dont know. I was just sad.
I remember when the news about the accident broke.
It was 2006 around fall.I remember crying after the telephone from Lois.
They said it was a car accident. I dont know. I was just sad.
____________________________________________________________
Here I will describe my last chats with Edwin.
My last conversations with Edwin was thus.
We talked on Skype we exchanged emails, I liked his thinking.
My last conversations with Edwin was thus.
We talked on Skype we exchanged emails, I liked his thinking.
I had just joined facebook after many years of being a recluse.
This man had wisdom beyond his years.
He was very sociable person. He knew how to talk to people and make them
feel good.
He explained how he would
love to traveling to places like Dubai.
He likes computers and so he talked about computers too.
He would give advice on what careers pay well
Edwin was kind too. He gave me his movie account Netflix and the password
and told me I can use it anytime.
He wanted to send some technologies to me in Jamaica
like phones and small electronic gadgets.
I never asked him for anything but he insisted.
He was just too kind, Edwin.
He was very sociable person. He knew how to talk to people and make them
feel good.
He explained how he would
love to traveling to places like Dubai.
He likes computers and so he talked about computers too.
He would give advice on what careers pay well
Edwin was kind too. He gave me his movie account Netflix and the password
and told me I can use it anytime.
He wanted to send some technologies to me in Jamaica
like phones and small electronic gadgets.
I never asked him for anything but he insisted.
He was just too kind, Edwin.
We spoke about Rwanda and our family. We talked about what happened
in 1994. He asked about my life in Jamaica. He told me
he was very proud that his cousin went to University
He said that is wonderful and makes him so happy.
He was proud to be my cousin.
He said he would love to have come to Jamaica
because he loves Bob Marley and Jamaica culture
and misses us very much.
He kept saying "a time will come"
He said "God is in control and one day". He kept saying "one day"
"we will all celebrate in one place, I know". He said not to worry
as he smoked his cigarette.
He had confidence and calmness in his voice.
He asked how are my parents and siblings.
Edwin also spoke of his parents. He loved them.
This burdened him alot I could tell.
He said "they work so hard"
He appeared almost sad.
He said "my parents are hard working people"
"Do you know they went to Rwanda?".
I told him I heard so. He also gave me pictures.
He asked if I planned to visit Rwanda one day.
I told him I dont know. I doubt.
He asked why? I told him what would I do in Rwanda
He said, "I think you should go"
He asked "would you go there to live"?
I told him No. I dont think I would enjoy that life
He said "go and see Rwanda"
(This is as best as I can remember)
Edwin was such an interest
He spoke with sincerity and truth, you could tell.
There was something different with him
besides the wheelchair, he was humble
But one thing he said to me that shocked me.
When he mentioned our grandparents and the souls of those who were killed.
He spoke with words I never understood. Which led me to thinking
how does he know such things?
It was almost frightening when he spoke and to hear his voice.
His thoughts were on a different level but I could follow.
He seemed to be very much spiritual and God conscious.
There was such sureness and trust in his voice.
He asked me what I studied. I told him I studied English.
He said that is good. He asked what I do. I told him I teach English
and literature and communications.
He felt so proud.
So we went a bit into song and music which we share likings.
He said he knew alot of people
who know people, who make music.
He talked about Nneka a Nigerian singer he admired.
He was surprised I knew the singer too.
He said if I was in Canada he would introduce me.
We spoke about world conditions and he told me
that some human beings are not intelligent. I asked him
what he meant by that. He said, "they are destroying the world,"
"they wont learn"
"The ones who are destroying the world are not wise".
He was very confident of this. He kept saying "we will see them in heaven"
"we will see them in heaven". I asked him who will we see in heaven?.
He told me that everyone who dies who is pure
their souls are with God and they watch over those who remain on earth
He told me that we are all blind, we dont understand
there is another world that we dont see and its real.
He said "their light shines and keeps the earth balanced".
(This is as best as I remember)
He then looked outside and asked me what time it is in Jamaica.
He told me he was taking some classes in I cant remember what
I think it was counseling or therapy.
Edwin's thoughts were very interesting. He had knowledge
in every subject area he touched and more.
He talked about the sealing of Gods people and the finishing touches
He said right now he is sealing his people.
He had great faith but I never liked his habits. As he talked to me he would
smoke and smile. Whenever he would smoke he told me first.
I asked him why do you smoke? I cant remember his response.
I dont know how he had this knowledge but I was very interested.
He proceeded to give me advice as he had alot of knowledge.
He took his camera and showed me sections of his house
I did the same.
I asked him about Canada. And how is life there? He said the winters
are terrible, you dont want to experience in the winter.
He said Canada has some good schools I could try.
He said but getting a good job is hard.
in 1994. He asked about my life in Jamaica. He told me
he was very proud that his cousin went to University
He said that is wonderful and makes him so happy.
He was proud to be my cousin.
He said he would love to have come to Jamaica
because he loves Bob Marley and Jamaica culture
and misses us very much.
He kept saying "a time will come"
He said "God is in control and one day". He kept saying "one day"
"we will all celebrate in one place, I know". He said not to worry
as he smoked his cigarette.
He had confidence and calmness in his voice.
He asked how are my parents and siblings.
Edwin also spoke of his parents. He loved them.
This burdened him alot I could tell.
He said "they work so hard"
He appeared almost sad.
He said "my parents are hard working people"
"Do you know they went to Rwanda?".
I told him I heard so. He also gave me pictures.
He asked if I planned to visit Rwanda one day.
I told him I dont know. I doubt.
He asked why? I told him what would I do in Rwanda
He said, "I think you should go"
He asked "would you go there to live"?
I told him No. I dont think I would enjoy that life
He said "go and see Rwanda"
(This is as best as I can remember)
Edwin was such an interest
He spoke with sincerity and truth, you could tell.
There was something different with him
besides the wheelchair, he was humble
But one thing he said to me that shocked me.
When he mentioned our grandparents and the souls of those who were killed.
He spoke with words I never understood. Which led me to thinking
how does he know such things?
It was almost frightening when he spoke and to hear his voice.
His thoughts were on a different level but I could follow.
He seemed to be very much spiritual and God conscious.
There was such sureness and trust in his voice.
He asked me what I studied. I told him I studied English.
He said that is good. He asked what I do. I told him I teach English
and literature and communications.
He felt so proud.
So we went a bit into song and music which we share likings.
He said he knew alot of people
who know people, who make music.
He talked about Nneka a Nigerian singer he admired.
He was surprised I knew the singer too.
He said if I was in Canada he would introduce me.
We spoke about world conditions and he told me
that some human beings are not intelligent. I asked him
what he meant by that. He said, "they are destroying the world,"
"they wont learn"
"The ones who are destroying the world are not wise".
He was very confident of this. He kept saying "we will see them in heaven"
"we will see them in heaven". I asked him who will we see in heaven?.
He told me that everyone who dies who is pure
their souls are with God and they watch over those who remain on earth
He told me that we are all blind, we dont understand
there is another world that we dont see and its real.
He said "their light shines and keeps the earth balanced".
(This is as best as I remember)
He then looked outside and asked me what time it is in Jamaica.
He told me he was taking some classes in I cant remember what
I think it was counseling or therapy.
Edwin's thoughts were very interesting. He had knowledge
in every subject area he touched and more.
He talked about the sealing of Gods people and the finishing touches
He said right now he is sealing his people.
He had great faith but I never liked his habits. As he talked to me he would
smoke and smile. Whenever he would smoke he told me first.
I asked him why do you smoke? I cant remember his response.
I dont know how he had this knowledge but I was very interested.
He proceeded to give me advice as he had alot of knowledge.
He took his camera and showed me sections of his house
I did the same.
I asked him about Canada. And how is life there? He said the winters
are terrible, you dont want to experience in the winter.
He said Canada has some good schools I could try.
He said but getting a good job is hard.
He said even some most brilliant people dont have good jobs
They are biased. Thats how they are.
He said some people come here are so genius
but they dont get the opportunity.
He had to pause to take his meal and thats the last I spoke to him
This is the last conversation I ever had with Edwin my cousin.
It was my hope to see him in the summer, but visa issues prevented.
This is as close to the truth as I can get.
Edwin has inspired this short reflection. I hope it has given some insight
and comfort. May he rest in peace.
Mythical_Poet
26-Sept- 12
This is the last conversation I ever had with Edwin my cousin.
It was my hope to see him in the summer, but visa issues prevented.
This is as close to the truth as I can get.
Edwin has inspired this short reflection. I hope it has given some insight
and comfort. May he rest in peace.
Mythical_Poet
26-Sept- 12
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