Reflection: In Memory of My Uncle Kenny
After a long battle with a variety of physical challenges, my uncle, Kenneth Leon Williams, died on June 3, 2019 at the age of 69 in his hometown of Parkersburg, WV. He’s the one on the far right in the photo above. That’s my dad, Uncle Russell, Uncle Bill, and Uncle Kenny from left to right–four of eight siblings in my dad’s family.
I’ll cherish a number of memories of Uncle Kenny. From when I was a kid, I remember him inviting me and Dad over to show off his new weed whacker shortly after its purchase. But more vividly than any other memory, I remember Uncle Kenny riding his bicycles (with a bright orange safety flag on display) over to our house for a quick visit. He would regularly make his way through town on his bicycle for as long as he was able, and he would always make it a point to stop and visit with family as he went on his rides.
As he got older my memories of him shifted from witnessing him on his bike to witnessing him visit hospitals multiple times in Morgantown, WV, both to fight cancer and recover from a broken neck. When I was home in Parkersburg, I would regularly see him at 19th St Church of God with my Uncle Russell and Aunt Flora. Any time I was around him, regardless of his situation, he was almost always smiling and making space for a little humor.
L to R: My Uncle Bob (who preceded Kenny in death), Uncle Kenny, my dad, and Uncle Russell.
And, during the times I was in town and didn’t see him, I remember him phoning his brothers and joking with each of them, leaving long voice messages reasoning out every possibility of where they could be if they were unable to answer.
As I think about Kenny now in glory with His King, I’m grateful for all of the little moments of laughter he shared with family throughout his 69 years on this earth. While circumstances prevented me from joining family and friends who gathered for his funeral, I’m grateful for the fact that Uncle Kenny demonstrated joy in the simple things to everyone with whom he came in contact.
His parting is also a sober reminder to me, that our life is a vapor. May we each savor every moment we’ve been given to its fullest, and may we live our lives as a sign, a foretaste, and an instrument of a Kingdom that will have no end, where goodness, joy, and love reign, and where there will no longer be a need for tears of sadness.