In Honor of Edward Fuqua

My grandfather was a difficult person to get to know.  I could not tell you why he was this way.  There were times where I wished he would have opened up more but that was not his style.  He was who he was and made no apologies about it. 

One thing I did learn about him was that he possessed an intense desire to live.  The man had a fighting spirit.  As many of you know, he had been battling health problems for the last few years of his life.  He endured countless trips to the hospital.  He battled various treatments that many of us could have never made it through.  When I would visit him at the hospital he had so  many wires plugged into his body that he looked an extension cord.                  

I remember going to visit my grandparents at their home on one occasion.  He was all riled up about making sure all of his appointments with his vast team of doctors were logged on his calendar.  My grandma wanted him to socialize with us in the living room.  She said, “Edward come sit down.  Your favorite grandson is here to visit.”  My grandfather’s response was unforgettable.  He said, “I do not have time for that nonsense.  I am worried about my damn life.”

I did not take his comments personal because that was my grandpa.  I loved him for the fact he embraced who he was.  I also admired his passion and commitment to live.  Through the years there were so many times he was admitted to the hospital.  On many of these visits we believed that he would not pull through.  Yet, he always did.  My family nicknamed him the Energizer Bunny because he kept going and going and going.

Sadly, on the first day of Jan 2014 our Energizer Bunny passed away.  He fought one of the greatest battles that I have ever seen a person face.  I am proud of my grandfather for being a warrior.  The lesson that we can take from his life is to never give up.  Even if all the odds are against the human spirit can push you through.    

      

I want to close by quoting some lyrics to the hymn Where the Soul of Man Never Dies also known as To Canaan’s Land I’m On My Way.        

Dear friends, there’ll be no sad farewells,
There’ll be no tear dimmed eyes,
Where all is peace and joy and love,
And the soul of man never dies.

Today should not be a day of sadness.  Today should be a celebration of Edward Fuqua’s life.  I can imagine him in heaven at this moment.  He is looking down at us from the most amazing golf course.   He has a Budweiser in one hand and a golf club in the other.  As he moves on to the next hole he looks down and sees us here today.  He tips his Titleist cap to us and says, “I am at peace.  I am free.”