THE OLD MAN'S CORNER: Julien's Song E.L Winston

Music is the thing that can bring and create emotion in every part of your life. Music has inspired, comforted and added to my happiest times. I believe life is the instrumental version and how we navigate it are our lyrics.

My nephew Juilen was tragically taken from this world January 8th of this year, but this is not going to be an article about grief or sadness or how laws need to be changed. It is about the powerful light this young man carried and how his life was a song of love, laughter and happiness. J Chief as I affectionately called him had the most infectious smile. You couldn't help but feel happy in his presence. He was always helping others, listening to his friends' issues and offering a hand where he could. He at 20 years old has shown me through the way he navigated this thing called life that life's too short to be upset about things that don't matter and that

if you can be of service to anyone you certainly should be. And that family is the most important thing we have even when every member of your family doesn't have to share your DNA. Hard work pays off and to walk tall in your confidence but to also remain humble.

We move through this life so fast and forget everyday here is not promised. As we get older, west art to stress more and live less. As a promise to myself and my nephew, I'm going to stress less and live more. I'm gonna dance in the rain and bathe in the sun. I'm going to tell those I love that I love them now while I have the opportunity to do so.

They say you can see the character of a man by the way others speak of him when he isn't around. Well, I think that J Chief’s ears should be ringing. His impact on those he shared space with is undeniable. I, along with all those who love him, will miss him terribly, but we will play the song of his love and laughter for as long as we are blessed to be among the living. Do an old man a favor and go dance in the rain and tell someone you love what they mean to you and say a prayer for our family as we learn to sing Julien’s song without him. It’s never goodbye but ALWAYS I'll see you later!!!

Our deepest sympathies go out to the friends, family & everyone whose life was touched by Julien. May his spirit & music live on always -Blaque/OUT