Stubborn As Mule

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Poetry

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annual Feast days, Atonement, birth, blasphemous, celebrators, Christmas, death, discipline, Easter-Sunday, First Fruits, goad, Good Friday, hol-i-days, Holy Spirit resisters, lies, moedim, myths, paganism, pain, Passover, Pentecost, resurrection, stiff-necked people, stubborn, Tabernacles, Traditions of Men, Trumpets, unaffected, unaltered, Unleavened Bread, unmoved, unwilling, YeHoVah, Yeshua

I composed this poem on December 8, 2019, after seeing so many Christmas postings in my Facebook newsfeed that professed Christians posted. It is hard to believe that – in this twenty-first century – so many who declare they are Christians are still kicking against the goads (are still refusing to hear YeHoVah’s Voice about not following/not keeping the traditions of men). They have closed their souls and their ears to His Truth – choosing to be unfaithful to His Will and His Ways. Perhaps the real problem is that they are Christians instead of Netzarim (faithful servants/disciples/saints of Yeshua).

By stubbornly refusing to obey YeHoVaH, Christmas celebrators and believers are driving their individual goad in deeper and deeper. Choosing to be unfaithful to YeHoVaH’s Divine Truth, by rejecting the Holy Spirit’s teaching/revealing, causes the necessary pain that comes from His Discipline, which eventually will happen to them, if it hasn’t already begun. Selah . . . .

Why would you be so stubborn as to close your hearts and your ears to me? You are always opposing the Holy Spirit, just like your forefathers! – Acts 7:51, TPT

Cruel April

02 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Poetry

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15th, 19th, 30th, Ade, April 30, April Birthday Month, April Showers, bloomless, cruelest month, crying, death, garden of life, joy and sorrow, land of the living, May 2nd, May Flowers, Maynard, mourning, plucked, poet, poetry, spring rains, T.S. Eliot, Tarik, The Waste Land

 
 
   April is the cruellest month, breeding
  Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
  Memory and desire, stirring
  Dull roots with spring rain.  ~ ll. 1-4, The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot

I never knew how true The Waste Land’s opening line was until 2017. When my oldest son died on May 2^nd of that year, I unexpectedly realized that I would never be able to celebrate his birthday with him ever again. That realization is what made Eliot’s “April is the cruellest month…” words so dead right and so distressing.

Since Ade’s birth, I always looked forward to April—not just because his birthday is in April, but also because April is the month when both of my sons (Ade and Tarik) and their dad (Maynard) were born. Over the years, celebrating the 15^th with Tarik, the 19^th with Maynard, and the 30^th with Ade always filled me with much joy. Now, when I think about April, I have mixed feelings—joy mingled with sorrow.

For the rest of my days on Earth, April will always be seen as a cruel month—one that allows me to enjoy the happy birthday returns God grants Tarik and Maynard, while filling me with the sense of loss and sadness on Ade’s born day. Even though I am grateful that God spares my youngest son’s life, as well as the life of his dad, and even though I am grateful that my oldest son is no longer in pain, the human part of me can’t help but tear up every April.

With each April 30^th I am allowed to see, I will forever be reminded that this day in 2017 was the last time Ade enjoyed his birthday in the land of the living. Additionally, I will forever be reminded that the one flower I would love to see in full bloom in May—my son, Ade—was instead plucked from the garden of life on May 2^nd (just two days after his 45^th birthday).

Lastly, the one thing that I will cling to, especially in April when I think about how April 2017’s showers didn’t allow my son’s life to finish its reblooming in May 2017, is as follows:

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes
    and eliminate death entirely.
    No one will mourn or weep any longer.
    The pain of wounds will no longer exist,
    for the old order has ceased. – Revelation 21:4, TPT

Thank YOU, God, for this promise! I can hardly wait!

My Mini-Memoir: Untimely Farewells

11 Saturday Aug 2018

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Tribute

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anguish, autobiography, child-loss, chronicling, death, expressive writing, grief, healing, heartbreaking goodbyes, inescapable, Life, mini-memoir, mother-son separations, newly published book, the ultimate farewell, therapeutic, unthinkable

You’ve kept track of all my wandering and my weeping.
You’ve stored my many tears in your bottle—not one will be lost.
For they are all recorded in your book of remembrance. ~ Psalm 56:8, TPT

I received my copies of my mini-memoir, Untimely Farewells, on Friday evening (8-10-2018). Xulon Press shipped my copies on August 6^th, so if Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and The Apple Store have received their copies it still may take a couple of days before my book is available in the paperback format.

On July 24^th, my publisher wrote in an email to me that “Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com should have some information up about your book in 4-8 weeks, or sooner (this is done at their pace, as they are dealing with thousands of titles).” No doubt, the same applies to The Apple Store. Additionally, the eBook format for my book also may not be ready for a few more weeks, as well.

However, Xulon Press’ online bookstore has paperback copies of my book right now. You can find my mini-memoir by either searching by author or by title. Here is the link to Xulon Press’ online bookstore: https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/.

As many of you may remember, I lost my son, Ade, last May. Coping with his death was difficult for me to do at times, and that was why I started writing about all the times he and I had been separated. I had heard years ago about the therapeutic benefits of writing a novel, but I had no idea that my reasons for chronicling the many heartbreaking goodbyes I faced in my life would lead to Untimely Farewells.

My mini-memoir begins when I was 20 years old (1971), and it ends when I was 66 years old (2017). Last year I had to say my final goodbye to Ade.

Death and life have taught me that child-loss is unthinkable, and they have taught me that anguish is inescapable. Additionally, death and life have taught me that grief has no expiration date. As a result, the separation I have yet to bounce back from is the ultimate untimely farewell (Ade’s death), which was the last separation Ade and I would have. These and other events from my life are in my newly published autobiography—Untimely Farewells.

~ This book is dedicated to you, Ade. Rest In Peace In Heaven, my son . . . . .

First Anniversary of Ade’s Death

02 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Heartbreak, Tribute

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1-Year Anniversary, Ade, critique, death, diabetes, Heaven, l, memoir, mother-son bond, mother-son relationship, mother-son separations, new book, oldest son, Olumuyiwa, pain-free, resting in the Lord, ultimate separation, untimely farewells

Olumuyiwa Ade Keen

April 30, 1972 – May 2, 2017

He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that [YeHoVaH] has poured out upon us. And just as we experience the abundance of [Yeshua HaMashiach’s] own sufferings, even more of [YeHoVaH’s] comfort will cascade upon us through our union with [Yeshua HaMashiach].

If troubles weigh us down, that just means that we will receive even more comfort to pass on to you for your deliverance! For the comfort pouring into us empowers us to bring comfort to you. And with this comfort upholding you, you can endure victoriously the same suffering that we experience. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:4-6, TPT

I have been up all night—not because I was worried about how I will handle today. I have been up all night, because I was making some very minor revisions to my memoir. Praise Good!

It’s amazing how God had me working on my memoir, starting last night and ending early this morning. It is no coincidence that my manuscript focuses on the many times Ade and I have been separated—all our untimely farewells, including the ultimate separation.

Where Ade is concerned, his ultimate separation happened on May 2, 2017. It didn’t take this first anniversary long to get here. It really seems like Ade went home to be with the Lord just yesterday.

I couldn’t visit Ade’s earthly resting place in person, but I am definite there in Spirit. I know he knows how much I love him and miss him. Those are messages I can send from wherever I may be in this world on any given May 2^nd. Still, in my absence, I would love it if his grave is adorned with beautiful flowers that are from the family.

In addition to the flowers and the narrative that I have dedicated to Ade, I plan to look at many pictures of my son today. I am sure there will be some photos that will make me cry, but so far today I’ve only been smiling.

For this one-year anniversary of Ade’s death, I am re-posting the poem I wrote for his homegoing service’s program. As I say in my memoir, this poem captures my understanding of the God-kind of Hope He gives to parents who have lost a child. My poem is as follows:

Just Sleeping: Only Believe

Nothing in life happens by chance
Neither by accident nor happenstance;
The Fates can’t override providence
Or replace it with inevitable dominance.

Destiny may be written on some stars
But only Creator knows how long ours
Has until we are snuffed like a candle—
On the fade to black shut-eye channel.

Death brags with no reason to be proud
For he claims no life God hasn’t allowed;
Sorrows touch humans for many reasons
But He who changes times and seasons
Raises the sleeping; changes bad to good,
And upgrades His aggrieved to sainthood.

The saints who still move and still breathe
Must exercise the faith needed to believe
They’ll see their gone-home family again
Healed from all misery, illness, and pain.

Ade was 24 years old when he was diagnosed with Diabetes. From that day forward, most of his adult life was full of excruciating pain, yet he never complained. I truly am thankful to God that Ade is no longer in pain, but because on Earth grief has no expiration date my pain won’t ever end.

On this May 2, 2018, I am sending up this message on the Wings of The Dove:

I miss you, Ade. I love you, Ade. I think about you, Ade. I won’t ever forget you, Ade.

Love,

Your MOM . . . . .

P.S.

Here is a critique of my soon to be published new book, Lord willing. This book is my memoir that I plan to give the title of Untimely Farewells. The critique is as follows:

“This is a beautiful and moving story that depicts the ups and downs of a wonderful family, and the relational interactions between each member; especially between the mother and her 1^st born son. It is obvious that the mother-son relationship is of utmost importance and you do an exceptional job of painting a verbal portrait of this.

The writing is done well and the story also flows well. There is a cohesiveness and a natural flow to the content.” ~ Desireé Harris-Bonner, MBA

Managing Partner

#Spiritual Midwife for Emerging Authors

DHBonner Virtual Solutions, LLC

March 7 & 8 Have Dampened My Birthday

04 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Heartbreak

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bedridden, birthday, born day, Clarence W. Drayton, dad, death, festive, Heartbreak, hurting, joyless, jubilant, March 6, March 7 & 8, oldest son, Olumuyiwa Ade Keen, racked with pain, ruined, sad reminders, sorrow, struggling

When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there’s no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you’ll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You’ll no longer be so full of questions. ~ John 16:21-23a, MSG

Around this time each year, as March 6 approaches, I begin agonizing. I am not struggling because March 6 is my birthday. Moreover, I am not struggling because I am afraid of getting older. I welcome old age.

I am struggling because, since 1996, what should be a joyous occasion for me has been dampened by my thoughts of the now two sad events that closely follow my born day. These two events involve my dad and my oldest son.

The day after my 45^th birthday, which was in 1996, my dad died. Then last year, two days after my 66^th birthday, Ade became bedridden. He died in Kindred Hospital – Greensboro just two days after his 45^th birthday. For these reasons, I am not looking forward to my birthday.

Although I am certain that my dad and my son are in Heaven, this assurance is not what first comes to mind. Before this year’s birthday, I used to hurt so much from the reminder that another anniversary of my dad’s passing was drawing near.

Today, I am racked with a triple dose of pain, and that is because, in addition to the pain that was triggered by my dad’s last-day reminder, the pain that was triggered by Ade’s final-hospitalization reminder doubled once thoughts of the upcoming first anniversary of his May 2^nd death manifested. In other words, I am truly hurting.

The pain I feel today is why I will not be in a celebratory mood on March 6. To be honest, I am not sure if I will ever have a truly festive born day, again.

Families Are Forever: In Loving Memory of Mr. Wash Keen

17 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Tribute

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can't steal, dad, death, divorced, extended families, families forever, family forever, father-in-law, first grandchild, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandson, grieving, hard-working, heartache, immediate families, loss, love, man of God, memory, mourning, Mr. Wash, paternal grandfather, provider, uncle

Those who mourn are fortunate! for they shall be comforted. ~ Matthew 5:4, TLB

What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, TLB

The year 2017 has not been particularly kind to me. Between the first week of May and the second week of November, I lost my oldest son and his paternal grandfather. My son died on May 2^nd of this year, and his paternal grandfather died on November 15^th.

Now, I know plenty people who think that divorced persons are no longer part of that family they married into, and more times than not I have heard about divorced persons being treated like outsiders. However, when the divorced individuals are followers of Christ and when these same divorced individuals have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren together, these facts mean they still are families. This family truth means even their extended families are still connected to the divorced men and women.

Case in point, I have nieces and nephews from my ex-spouse’s side of the family who continue to call me Aunt Nadine—even though he and I have been divorced since 1998. Then too, even after the legal dissolution of our marriage and after Maynard’s remarriage, many of his relatives still treat me like family and most of my relatives still treat him like he’s family. My nieces and nephews still call him Uncle Chilly (Maynard’s nickname that I called him during our nearly 27 years of marriage). Furthermore, he and I still share friends who have remained friends with the both of us.

I said all that to say that in the same year that Maynard and I lost our oldest son, Ade, our youngest son, Tarik, lost his brother. Now, a little over six months later, Maynard lost his dad (Mr. Wash), and our youngest son lost his paternal grandfather. The point here is that Tarik and Maynard’s heartbreaking losses are mine as well. Therefore, even though I am no longer married to his son, Mr. Wash is still family to me. The essential point is that families are forever, and there aren’t any legal divorces that will ever change that fact.

Mr. Wash Keen, I know you know that I love you and miss you already. I miss that beautiful smile of yours. I miss listening to that soothing voice of yours. I miss seeing and hearing you sing in the men’s choir at Moral Hill Missionary Baptist Church. I miss hearing you explain a Sunday School lesson. I miss seeing you meet-and-greet church members and visitors. I miss eating Sunday and holiday meals with you, Miss Helen, me and Maynard’s immediate family, and your other sons and their families. I also miss fellowshipping with everyone in your home, after we all were done eating.

I have known you since July of 1971. You were a kind and thoughtful father-in-law. You were a faithful and obedient man of God. You were a loving and caring husband, dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. You were a hard-working man. You were an outstanding provider for your wife and sons.

You were well-respected by every one of your family members and by countless colleagues and friends. Everybody I know loved you, so I am certain they all do and/or will miss you just as much as I do and will.

Your God (and mine) has delivered you from your well-used body. Thankfully, we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Praise God!

Be sure to say hello to Ade, my son, for me. He is your first grandchild and first grandson! Tell him I love him and miss him, too. Also say hello to Miss Helen, to my mom (Lucille), to my dad (Clarence), and to so many other people we both know.

I love you, and I miss you dearly, Mr. Wash. I know you know that. I also know you know that I look forward to the day when I can worship throughout eternity our King of kings and Lord of lords with you, and everyone else. Until then, rest in peace, in Jesus’ arms.

I am sending up warm thoughts and prayers for the family. I have been thinking of each of you. I wish I could be there to share in the celebration of Mr. Wash’s life on Monday, November 20^th, but it is not possible.

Every blessing family,

Nadine

UPDATE . . .

Obituary: WASH KEEN

AXTON, Va. Wash Keen of 25 Keen Drive passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at the Hospice Center of Rockingham County, after a lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, November 20, 2017, at Moral Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Martinsville, VA.

Burial will be in the Keen Family Cemetery in Axton, VA.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 19, 2017, at Moral Hill Missionary Baptist Church.

Wash was born on December 8, 1925, to the late Edgar “Edd” Keen Sr. and Nannie Josephine Terry Keen. He was married for 52+ years to the love of his life, Helen Watkins Keen, who preceded him in death. Wash attended the 1 room school in the Sandy Level community. He loved working the land. He farmed several years and raised a garden for as long as he was able. Wash worked for several local industries and retired from the DuPont Co. He also served briefly in the U.S. Army during WWII. Wash was a faithful God-fearing man. He was a no-nonsense hard-working man who loved the Lord and his family.

Wash joined the Moral Hill Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor J.E. Harris. He faithfully served the Lord through his church until his health began to decline. He could be found regularly reading his Bible and studying his Sunday school lesson. He served as an Usher, Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Chairman of Deacons and member of the Men’s Chorus to name a few.

Wash is survived by his sons: Vernon Wash Keen (Sylvia) of Chesterfield, VA; Maynard Andrew Keen (Sandra) of Greensboro, NC; Rexford Maurice Keen of Martinsville, VA; William Beverly Keen (Jacqueline) and Danny Stewart Keen (Lena) both of Danville, VA; Henry Dillard (Sherideen) of Eden, NC. Also surviving are two brothers Silas Keen (Mae) and King Keen (Rosetta); three sisters in law Memphis Keen, Florence Amos, and Dorothy Martin (George); five brothers in law William H Watkins (Leadell), Windle Watkins (Dinah), Virgil Watkins, Charlie Redd Jr., and Jimmy Carter; also 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Perry – Spencer Funeral Home, Inc

In Loving Memory of E-man (My Cousin, Ellery)

26 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Tribute

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August, bubbly personality, cousin, death, Divine Plan, E-Man, eternal life, eternal spirit, grief, Heaven, in loving memory, loss, obituary, relative, rest in peace, sad, salvation, sleeping, smiles, Son, tearful, upset souls, Wade family

Ellery Lamont Wade

Yeshua said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life! Whoever puts his trust in me will live, even if he dies; and everyone living and trusting in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ~ John 11:25-26, CJB

Just as human beings have to die once, but after this comes judgment, so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to deliver those who are eagerly waiting for him. ~ Hebrews 9:27-28, CJB

August hasn’t been a very kind month. Over the years, I’ve lost several loved ones in the month of August. Case in point, where my extended family is concerned, in less than a year I lost two members of the Wade family. On August 25, 2016, I lost my Uncle Jesse. On August 24, 2017, I lost my cousin—Uncle Jesse’s son, Ellery.

I can’t begin to imagine how Ellery’s death has hit the Wade family, especially my Aunt Edna. My heart bleeds for her, because she not only has lost her husband but also she has lost another child.

What I remember the most about Ellery is that he had a bubbly personality, which no doubt helped him gain his many friends. Indeed, when I think about it, I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t smiling.

One of my most vivid memories of Ellery was the time when he and Eugene visited with me and my family while we were living in Hampton, VA. Maynard and I were stationed at Langley AFB, and Eugene and Ellery were stationed at Fort Eustis. We all had a fabulous weekend reminiscing our childhoods.

Even though I saw Ellery very often, when we were growing up, I was closer in age to his oldest sister and his two older brothers. In fact, his oldest sister and I were more like sisters than cousins. Similarly, because Ellery and my younger brother Eugene’s ages were close, this truth must be why they were more like brothers than cousins.

There is no doubt that Ellery will be greatly missed by all his family members and friends. Rest in peace E-man, as you often were fondly called.

The following is my poetic tribute to E-man:

So glad there are no tears
In Heaven—no pain there, either
Only smiles and beaucoup
Laughter where you’re at,
So you’ll fit in just fine.

You’re where you belong
This truth keeps us strong
Enough to deal with your
Loss, even though we’re
Weepy and melancholy
We know our tears are just
Temporary—a freeing of
Our pain and sorrow,
But on the morrow,
When our joy comes,
We’ll fully understand
How taking you fits into
Our Father’s Divine Plan,
Who surely one day will
Let us see you again.

– composed August 26, 2017

~ from Citizen’s Voice

Obituary (UPDATED)

Ellery Lamont Wade

“Ellery Lamont Wade, 62, a resident of Boulevard Townhomes, Wilkes-Barre, entered into glory Thursday afternoon, Aug. 24, 2017, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, following a lingering illness.

Born Feb. 2, 1955, in Wilkes-Barre, he was one of 10 children to Mrs. Edna V. Gleaves Wade of Wilkes-Barre and the late Mr. Jesse Wade Jr.

Educated in the city schools, Mr. Wade was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre.

He was a baptized member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church, Wilkes-Barre.

Following his formal education, Mr. Wade proudly served our country during the Vietnam era with the U.S. Army.

Until his retirement, Mr. Wade was self-employed as a carpenter locally in construction, and enjoyed woodworking. He later was employed by the Cin-Ram Corp. of Pittston and by the Lord and Taylor Distribution Center in Wilkes-Barre Twp.

In addition to his father, who passed away Aug. 25 of last year, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jesse III, in 1976; by a sister, Darnel Palmer, in 2002; a brother-in-law, Anthony Dawkins, in 1993; and several aunts and uncles.

Left to mourn his passing are his beloved mother, Mrs. Edna V. Wade; his son, Eric, and grandson, Xavier Lucian Wade, Wilkes-Barre; brothers and sisters, including Malachi and his wife Peggy, Norman and his wife, Susan, Jeffrey, Rosalyn, Cynthia, Elvira and Doreese Wade, all of Wilkes-Barre; brother-in-law, Fred Palmer, Florida; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Homegoing services for Mr. Wade will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Mount Zion Baptist Church, 105 Hill St., Wilkes-Barre. The Rev. Michael E. Brewster, pastor, will serve as celebrant.

Interment with prayers of committal will follow in the family lot in Denison Cemetery, Denison Avenue, Swoyersville.

Relatives and friends may join the Wade family for visitation and remembrances from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday directly at the church.

The Wilkes-Barre Heights location of John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc. are honored to care for Mr. Wade and his family at this time.

To send his mother and family words of comfort, support, to light a virtual candle in Ellery’s memory or for information, please visit our family’s website atwww.JohnVMorrisFuneralHome.com.

Funeral arrangements will be from the Wilkes-Barre Heights location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 281 E. Northampton St.

Funeral Home
John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc.
281 E Northampton St.
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
570-823-2754”

Raining Nonstop in My Heart

13 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Tribute

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Ade (my crown), agony, anger, angry, breavement, child-loss, collateral beauty, death, diabetes, domino effect, dominoes, eternal Love, eternal soul, grief, grieving, hopelessness, Indian Giver, kills, long life, loss, missing a child, Olumuyiwa (God Provides this), pain, raining, sadness, suffering, surreal, unfair, Wet Monsoon

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. ~ Exodus 20:12, NASB

As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away. ~ Psalm 90:10, NASB

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:1-3, NASB

and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. ~ Revelation 21:4, NASB

Human life comes with no magical number—
Threescore years and ten not guaranteed to
Everyone into whom the Breath of Life is breathed
Putting within all living souls an eternal soul
An endless spiritual dimension of humanity.

Yet long-life promise Command is figurative—
At best, most days are long in Promised Lands
But years are far shorter than the psalmist’s seventy
Briefer still for countless parents’ beloved sons
Or daughters they received from Indian Giver:
Grief’s irate criticism of living souls’ Creator.

Heartache cosigns divers pejorative expressions—
Death makes them intensely strange bedfellows;
Thankfully, God’s Love covers a multitude of mindsets
Dead set on using finger pointing to hide the pain
That mentally fighting noxious emotional wounds
Deepen as human nature ignores Spirit’s Healing.

Child-loss pain is without equal, unlike none other—
Uniquely categorized since it betters bereavements’
Other types, triggering rawest ever-conceived anger that
Wages war against the unfairness of it all, hardening
Hearts reluctant to see collateral beauty around them
Uninterrupted by undying love that sets off joy and hope.

Domino effect doesn’t just signify a future disaster—
It illustrates how love that is in the middle of all life
Is hearts’ forever falling domino concurrently connecting
By coupling each toppled one to grief, pain, suffering,
Loss, or varied other ripples, including death, as they
Form rings around unending love’s collateral beauty.

Even so, diabetes monkey wrenched my life—
This pre-existing condition snuffed out
Olumuyiwa’s candle short of my often prayed for
Long-life plan for my eldest son whose
Given name means: ‘God provides this.’

I’m sure Ade, denoting ‘my crown,’ will get his—
For my strong soldier fought the hardest battles;
Still my heart misses its vital piece needed to fix these
Throbbing, flip-flopping, pounding, skipping beat
Irregular rhythms’ agonizingly irksome hiccups.

They’re from regularly reran videos of his life—
He’s infant, teen, adult; optimist then pessimist;
He’s laughing, speaking, leaving, returning, then dying
In my head’s wirelessly streamed detailed scenes
Of jubilation and desolation that wear me down.

Every interlude between reruns baits my fear—
Cruel taunts make me believe I have begun to
Forget the strong-willed, handsome, animated part
Of me that died, living now only in memories
Daydreams summon instantly without delay.

Losing Olumuyiwa unlocked soulish floodgates—
Now it’s heavily raining nonstop in my old heart,
Wet monsoons from an overflowing waterlogged soul;
Life is surreal like I’m imprisoned and dying in
The center of a floating no locks, no bars vast
Airless gravity-defying water designed bubble.

Losing Olumuyiwa aftereffect is canyon in heart—
This too wide to close gap prevents me from ever
Being same person, since grief has no expiration date
Just a myriad of sadness and hopelessness tides
That confirm uncomfortable truth: he’s not here.

~ The above poem is from my new poetry manuscript titled Deep-Rooted Disposition.

~ The above video (MP4 file) is stored on Google Drive. I created and posted this video on July 2, 2017. It is a tribute to my son, Olumuyiwa Ade Keen, who died on May 2, 2017. “Softly at Sunrise” by Gerald Alright is the song that is playing in the background. Olumuyiwa loved this Smooth Jazz song!

For My Son, Olumuyiwa Ade Keen . . . In Loving Memory

03 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Tribute

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blessing, child, death, died, gift from God, gifted, good-natured, grieve, homegoing, in loving memory, infectious smile, loss, oldest son, outlive, parents, pearly whites, rejoice, rest in peace, Son, talented, until we meet again

David prayed desperately to God for the little boy. He fasted, wouldn’t go out, and slept on the floor. The elders in his family came in and tried to get him off the floor, but he wouldn’t budge. Nor could they get him to eat anything. On the seventh day the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him. They said, “What do we do now? While the child was living he wouldn’t listen to a word we said. Now, with the child dead, if we speak to him there’s no telling what he’ll do.”

. . .

David got up from the floor, washed his face and combed his hair, put on a fresh change of clothes, then went into the sanctuary and worshiped. Then he came home and asked for something to eat. They set it before him and he ate.

His servants asked him, “What’s going on with you? While the child was alive you fasted and wept and stayed up all night. Now that he’s dead, you get up and eat.”

“While the child was alive,” he said, “I fasted and wept, thinking God might have mercy on me and the child would live. But now that he’s dead, why fast? Can I bring him back now? I can go to him, but he can’t come to me.” ~ 2 Samuel 12:16-18, 20-23, MSG

He just turned forty-five on Sunday, April 30^th. On Tuesday evening, he was gone. In less than 48 hours, I experienced the most extraordinary loss that a parent would ever face—the death of a child.

My oldest son, Olumuyiwa Ade Keen, is with the Lord now, and while I know he is in a much better place, losing him is the most traumatic experience I have ever had to encounter. Needless to say, I am definitely one of those parents who truly believes that parents should never outlive their children. However, as I was reminded earlier Tuesday evening, God makes no mistakes.

It was time for my son to go home and be with the Lord. Even though his diabetes claimed his life this evening, I rejoice in knowing that my God is not done with my son. Thank You, Jesus, for Your Gift of eternal life.

Ade, I will always remember that sweetest and most infectious smile of yours—when you were flashing your pearly whites. Additionally, every time I look at one of your three sons or your only grandson, I will always be reminded of how you were a loving dad and granddaddy. I also will always be reminded of how you were such a good-natured person. Lastly, whenever I am listening to a song that I know you would love to sample, I will always remember how talented and gifted you were as a lyricist and rapper.

Your dad, Maynard, and I are grieving right now, and we probably will be grieving for a while. Nevertheless, as we told you so many times in your life, Father God richly blessed us when He gave us you. That is why, even in our current sadness we can rejoice over your homegoing, for we know one day we will come to you and be with you eternally. For now, we are glad that we told you and showed you countless times just how much we love you.

We—your brother (Tarik), your sons (DaShede, Darius, and Rayshen), your grandson (Kayden), your dad (Maynard), and I (your mom, Nadine)—will love you forever, Ade. We also will miss you dearly.

Here is the latest poem—a haiku—that I wrote Sunday for Ade’s 45^th birthday:

No matter how old
My child you’ll forever be –
Life’s greatest blessing.

OLUMUYIWA ADE KEEN (April 30, 1972 – May 2, 2017)

Rest in peace, my son . . . until we meet again.

The obituary for my son, Olumuyiwa, which follows his homegoing services’ program, is posted in the Martinsville Bulletin.

Ade's Funeral Program

KEEN

Olumuyiwa Ade

Olumuyiwa Ade Keen, 45, of Martinsville, Va., passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Kindred Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina. He had been in declining health for the last several months. He was born to Maynard and Nadine Keen on April 30, 1972, in Spokane, Washington.

Mr. Keen lived at Laurel Park community in Martinsville, Va. most of his life, and he graduated from Laurel Park High School, class of 1990. He was a disabled United States Navy veteran. His hobby was writing and mixing music, and he was affectionately nicknamed “Puzzles,” “Telecommunications,” and “Schematics. He grew up a member of Moral Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Axton, Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Helen W. Keen; and his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Lucille W. Drayton.

He is survived by his three sons, DaShede and Darius Keen of Norfolk, Va., Rayshen Robertson of Axton, Va.; parents, Maynard Keen (Sandra) of Greensboro, N.C. and Nadine Drayton-Keen of Glendale, Az.; grandson, Kayden Ade Keen of Norfolk, Va,; brother, Tarik Keen (Kimberly) of Glendale, Az.; and paternal grandfather, Wash Keen of Axton, Virginia, along with a legion of cousins; aunts; uncles; and friends.

The family will meet at the church Fellowship Hall at 10:15 a.m. and will receive friends at the church starting at 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Moral Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Axton, Virginia with Dr. Thurman O. Echols Jr. Interment will follow in the Keen family cemetery in Axton, Virginia.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hairston Funeral Home at 301 Fayette Street, Martinsville, Virginia 24112.

Just Sleeping: Only Believe

Nothing in life happens by chance
Neither by accident nor happenstance;
The Fates can’t override providence
Or replace it with inevitable dominance.

Destiny may be written on some stars
But only Creator knows how long ours
Has until we are snuffed like a candle—
On the fade to black shut-eye channel.

The saints who still move and still breathe
Must exercise the faith needed to believe
They’ll see their gone-home family again
Healed from all misery, illness, and pain.

~ by Nadine Drayton-Keen

Composed May 5, 2017, for my son’s homegoing services’ program

Aunt Daisy Mae Wade-Blackwell

04 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by Rev. Nadine Drayton-Keen in Tribute

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aunt, death, fly away, follower of Christ, grandmother, great-grandmother, homegoing, loss, loved ones, mother, obituary, quiet private person, siblings, sister, survvors, tribute, Wade children, wife

Those Who Died in Christ

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.Therefore comfort one another with these words. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. NASB

During the evening of April 2, 2017, I learned that one of my mother’s younger sisters died earlier that same day. Even though I was truly saddened by the loss of another one of my mother’s siblings, I rejoice in her homegoing because she is now with the Lord.

Aunt Daisy was a loving sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Although she had her own children, during my early elementary years, she also was like a mother to me. My Aunt Daisy helped my mother and grandmother with my upbringing.

For the most part, Aunt Daisy was a quiet private person, just like so many of my grandmother and grandfather Wade’s children were. However, when she did reveal something personal, she always divulged something significant.

When I begin to think about how frequently so many of the family members I grew up with have gone home to be with the Lord, the Holy Spirit soon interrupts my thoughts with His reminder of how close we are to the time of our Lord’s return. Thus, because I know Aunt Daisy loved the Lord and now is safe in His arms—as are my mother, uncles, other aunts, cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents—I happily dedicate the following poem, “We’ll Fly Away,” to my family, especially Aunt Daisy’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:

We’ll Fly Away

Away with Christ we’ll one day fly
When clouds break and He appears
To raise the sleeping true worshippers,
Then catch up those like us—
Still serving Him in the land of the living.

What a glad moment that will be,
To soar on high free of bird or plane’s wings,
Then change in quicker than a blink
Into His promised glorified morally upright,
And enter Heaven to wed our Groom
Who’ll never abandon His own nor cause them pain.

~ from My Spirit’s Musings, Chapter 2, page 82

There is no doubt that, even though Aunt Daisy is with the Lord, she will be greatly missed by numerous family members and friends. I personally will miss her dearly.

Rest in peace Aunt Daisy . . . .

OBITUARY: