Once you understand

After our sons passing this song really had an impact on me but it also had an impact on me as a teenager and it has one now as I watch our two children raises them precious grandbabies all 4 of them.

Our son had True Grit

Today has been a Bitter Sweet Day its Memorial Day and I give thanks to all the Veterans and the active duty for all they do for us so we can sleep at night. It also was a day of helping my wife with pictures and I will upload several pictures that will be knew so you may have to scroll down but here is the first one.

Cats in the Cradle

Fr. V who did Scott Jr.s Funeral so beautifully

Here is his Homily It was so beautiful just as this priest has such a beautiful Spirit no wonder God called Him to the Priesthood He is my Spiritual Director, My Friend, My Brother.

FUNERAL HOMILY
FOR
SCOTT HALSEY, JR.
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2007
A young man writes of his mother's death:
"I was bewildered and lost. I missed my mother immensely. Everything she ever touched became precious. Then one day, my eyes fell upon a card under the glass top on my dresser. I recalled seeing it there for the first time just after my mother went to the hospital. But, I did not bother to read it then. Now I pulled it out and read. It said:

"For every pain we must bear, for every burden every care, There's a reason.
For every grief that bows the head, for every teardrop that is shed, There's a reason.
For every hurt, for every plight, for every lonely, pain-racked night, There's a reason.
"But if we trust God, as we should, It will turn out for our good. He knows the reason.
As I sat there, I could picture my mother coming into my room and slipping the card beneath the glass, as if to say, "It's all right, Jon; God knows the reason.' "From that moment on, said the young man, "I was able to accept my mother's death." When it comes to the death of a loved one, about all we can say is, "God knows the reason!
and that's about as far as we can go.
Sisters and Brothers, today we come to celebrate and remember the life of Scott Halsey Jr, better known to everyone as Scotty or his family would refer to him as Jr. Some of you may be wondering why this had to happen. Scotty was a young man in the prime of his life. He was only 29 years old. However, we do know that God knows the reason for calling Scotty home to Him at this time. A reason we may not understand, but a reason that God has.
Scotty has taken his place with God. We heard in the Gospel of John, that the Lord has prepared a place for all of us. A place where there is no more suffering, no more crying, no more sadness, but a place where there is love, a place where there is joy, a place where there is peace. A place, where Scotty is home with God.
Words cannot express the grief, the pain, the anger, the outrage that some of you may be feeling at the death of Scotty. I am sure some of you have been asking why, why, why? Why Scotty, he was young, vibrant, a fighter, he had so much to live for, he was full of life. At this time, we need to let our despair and questions, turn us to reflect on Jesus. Jesus was young when he died, He also cried out to God with his question; recall Psalm 22, where the words are eluded to Jesus, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” There are forces in nature which are evil, that are not just, that from time to time rise up, bringing pain and suffering, and yes, death to those we love. Scotty’s death should make us think of our own mortality. If death can come to him at such a young age, then it can surely come to us. Life is short, and therefore we should live our life to its fullest.
There is a Scripture in the Book of Hebrews that speaks to faith and to those who have lived a short life. Hebrews 11:13-16 reads:
“All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, for those ho speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land from which they come, they would have had the opportunity to return. But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” This passage is based on the life and death of those who died before their fulfillment. Those young and old, people of faith. So it is with Scotty, God is not ashamed to be call His God, for God has prepared a city, a place for Scotty that he has taken.
Scotty has left his earthly home and set out for his heavenly home. It is a home he has prepared for all of his life. In his earthly home, Scotty learned the values of God, life, work and family. However, he has done his time here. God saw fit to take him out of his suffering, to call him home at this time and give him peace.
Today we celebrate Scotty’s homecoming, we gather to remember his life and to thank God for the gift of his life, and for allowing us to get to know him for these 29 years. Scotty was a person who loved life. He enjoyed being with the people that God placed in his life. We will miss that about him. He enjoyed living and having a good time. He also enjoyed helping people. We will miss that about him.
Scotty loved his family, especially his parents, his sisters, his nieces and nephews. Home was very important to him. He was the second child, of three, and the only son in the family. In his family he learned how to love, how to be a family, how to be a child of God. Those values of love, family and faith was passed on to everyone he met especially his friends.
To Scotty’s family, Scott Sr. and Lolita, you will miss Scotty, he was your only son. You taught him many things, you saw him grow up to be the person God called him to be. He was a mama’s boy all the time, and a daddy’s boy in difficult time. Never the less he was your boy. No one could ever know or understand what you are feeling right now. But know that Mary, and Jesus knows your pain. You will miss him. Jennifer and Jolene, he was your brother. I am told that your bond of being siblings was very close. Remember the good times you had with your brother. I know this is difficult for you. As you held on to him so tight last Tuesday, I could see your love and hurt. But, know that he is very near to you. To his nieces and nephew, Uncle Scotty was your “Uncle” Remember him always and the special bond that you had. To Randy, Maranda, Karanda, and Tre, you had a very special bond of friendship that was unique to each one of you. Cherish you memories and your time together. They will carry you through the days ahead. To Grand Ma and Grand Pa, you also taught Scotty and shared special Remember him always and the special bond that you had. Grand parents time with him, keep them close to you. To all of you, remember the words of Jesus, that we heard today in John’s Gospel, “Let not your hearts be troubled, but have faith in God, faith in Jesus.”
Death is a mystery that leaves loved ones grieving, questioning, wondering and crying. Where you sit, I have been. Take time and remember Scotty, talk about him, cry or do whatever it takes to get through this difficult time. You may choose to cry or be alone. Do it, because this is a time to cry and be alone. Remember, each one of you had a different relationship with Scotty. Your grief is going to be different and unique because of your relationship him. Don’t let anyone tell you, you should be over it. To me, the pain of death and grief is a permanent, it gets better as time goes on, but the wound is always there. You will always know and remember that Scotty came and he left.
Again, I encourage you today, to remember the good times that you had with Scotty, for those memories will be the things that will help you to get through the difficult days ahead. Remember his laughter, his smile, his directness. Let these things be inspiration to you as you go forth from this day. Remember most the advice, the things he said to you.
Sisters and Brothers our hearts are heavy now, our hearts are heavy because we will miss Scotty. We will miss the way that he encouraged us to do well. We will miss the way he made his presence known. Scotty loved people. He never met a stranger. He was a good and genuine person. That’s a good trait to have. But, it is a trait that I believe got him in trouble. People don’t know how to appreciate good people who are genuine and friendly. Scott was that type of person. His friend Randy, tells of a time when they were riding together and saw an accident happen. Scotty jumped out of the car and ran to see if the people were hurt. He called 911. Not many people do that today.
Scotty liked living and enjoying the things that God gave us. He enjoyed all types of Music; he enjoyed dancing, cars and fishing. But his great love was people. Scott was direct when he talked with you. He did not sugar coat many things. He was a good listener. He was his own person. He did not carry or worry about what people said about him. He was always concerned about hurting other people. People were people, and he loved them no matter what. We will miss that about him.
Sisters and Brothers God placed Scotty in our lives for a special reason. A reason that only God knows, a reason that some of you may know. However, Scotty has done his time here, he is at peace now. Yes we are hurting, we are crying, but our scripture tells us, "That weeping will endure for a while, but joy will come.” We will be sad, but we must remember that Scotty is at home with God. Scotty's physical presence will be taken away, but he will always live in the hearts and the minds of the people who knew and loved him.
I believe that Scotty prayed to God for strength, for courage, to be able to walk the Christian journey. God heard Scotty’s prayer. Scotty was a person like all of us. He lived life, he enjoyed life, and he mad some bad choices in life. Sometimes the choices we make can lead us away from God. Scotty has that time in his life where he turned from God. God bought him back. Our first reading, Psalm 81 was his favorite Psalm that lead him back to God. Scotty was grateful to God for being his light, his guide, his Savior. In Baptism, Scotty took on Christ, now in death he lives with Christ. As you cry this day, cry with those who gather here to celebrate Scotty’s homecoming. Do whatever, you have to, to grieve his death. If that means crying, screaming, or whatever, do it, it is important to do. There is an African saying that says, " Our tears are the passageway that takes a person to heaven." So cry, but know that God will wipe away every tear.
Jesus tells us in the gospel of John today, to have faith. Faith in God, faith in Jesus. Life presents us with many obstacles and challenges. They are all opportunities to grow in our faith. When death comes to us, it is a time to reflect, pray and trust God. God knows what is best for us. Therefore, we have to trust God, and let God take care of us. So, let not your hearts be troubled. Scotty, has done his time here, you have to continue to live without him, but know that he will live in your hearts and minds. When you are sad, and you are thinking about Scotty, remember him in the ways he liked to be with you. When you do this Scotty lives.
Sister and Brothers, today we must give our pain to God. In the midst of our questions, our hurt, our pain, there is only one way to Go. Just as Scotty walked by faith, just as he has gone to God, we too must go to God, give God our pain, trust God with our pain, so that He can care for us, as God cared for Scotty. It is only in God, that we can carry our hurt, without breaking.
So today, as you wonder why, know that God has the answer, God knows the reason why. On eagles wings Scotty has soared up to heaven to take his place with God. He has soared up to heaven to rest in the hands of God. He is home with God, whom he loved and served. We thank God today, for allowing Scott Halsey, Jr. to come into our lives and to make it different. So let not your hearts be troubled.
I close with the words of a Bahamian Gospel Song:
Lay down my dear Brother.
Lay down and take your rest.
Lay your head upon the Savior's breast
Although, I love You, We love you, Jesus loves you Best!
I bid you Good Night, Good Night, Good Night.

They for sure had each others backs.

So very Handsome

He was Halsey so he had to be Handsome

Graduation

Prom

Brother and Sister Very much had love for one another.

Jr. had love for everyone especially his two sisters and his momma they were very important in his life as I have scanned in these pictures today and I have more but my back is not willing today. LOL

Boating with Bobby

Handsome as can be. Thats my boy. I love You. I miss you.

Some more from TSA

Scott was one of the first Presidents of TSA ( Technical Studen Association) if not the first. One thing that he did that no one else did was make sure that the organization was active in the community. While we did push to work hard each year to make the organization bigger and better, helping people was just as important to him. He always pushed hard to make sure that each year we gave out baskets at Easter, raised money for charity with car washes and always had a big turn out for the canned food drive at Thanksgiving. He always had a big heart and that is why is he so special to so many people.

--- Randy

DANCE WITH MY BROTHER AGAIN!

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND I KNOW YOU ARE DANCING WITH ME STILL AND GUIDING ME EACH DAY. I MISS YOU "DUNGER" I AM GLAD WE WENT TO MY PROM WITH RACHEL I ACTUALLY HAD THE CHANCE TO DANCE WITH YOU AND GET IT ON CAMERA UNLIKE WHEN WE WENT DANCING AT THE CLUBS. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.

JR AND ANOTHER PROM DATE

JR WITH ONE OF HIS FRIENDS AT PROM IN 2000

MY HANDSOME BROTHER

The best brother I could ever have. So handsome and sweet and now you are gone. This is for you my look alike, my friend, my party buddy, my big brother. I love you.

We are family

How beautiful

Eric Clapton sang no more tears in Heaven but this is so beautiful There are heavy sobbing tears now. This tore me up.

TSA President - Scott Halsey Jr.

Our Anniversary and Scott Jr.

You can not celebrate your anniversary without thinking about your children all of them. Lolita gave me the best hand made card today and we both got very emotional. I posted Eric Clapton Tears in Heaven and one point I thought I wanted the tears to stop no I don't.

Eric Clapton Tears in Heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way, through night and day
Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven

Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knee
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please

(instrumental)

Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure.
And I know there'll be no more...
Tears in heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Letter from Tyra

Below is a handwritten letter we recieved in the mail today. I could not read through it although it was so full of Love. Jennifer and Jolene neither your mother nor i could read this to you so we are sending it to you and to the rest of the family this way. I wanted you to see she had wrote it out and to me that means alot. I agree thier is no card that could say what needed to be said. This is special and obviously a special Lady. I typed it up so I got to sob all over again. This is a killer but it is also good medicine hard to explain but like told Hank I am in a blur. That is the best way to describe where I still am. Its a blur. Things like this help to clear the screen with each passing day. But typing this I am in JR.'S ROOM AND WILL BE FOREVER. I love you all.

scott sr.

To the Halsey Family, March, 2007

I would like to express my deepest sympathy during your time of loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I apologize for not sending a card but couldn't find one that expressed my thoughts and feelings appropriately.

Scott and I met and became friends in September 2002 when he hired me to work in Papa Lovettis Italian Buffet. I can't put into words how much fun we had or how many good times we shared there was never and I do mean NEVER a dull moment in the life of Scott Halsey :) We shared countless laughs and smiles and and definetly more joking that working while we were at Papa Lovetti's.

One of the things I will never forget about Scott was how much he loved his family. He never missed an opportunity to tell us how Joleen mad him smile and laugh or how he looked up to Jennifer for being a strong woman and a great mother to her kids. I can't even begin to tell you how much he bragged about his nieces and nephews! When Joleen had her last baby, Scott sent out pictures and text like he had given birth! He was so proud of his sisters, thier accomplishments and thier families. He also had a deep love for his parents and always wanted "mama to know her prayers for me (Scott) aren't in vain.

I loved Scott like a brother and was inexplicably saddened to hear he had passed. Scott was kind hearted and had a beautiful spirit. I will miss his smile, his laugh, his zeal for life, and warm and charming personality. He was a good man, an excellent friend, and i will cherish his memory.

I pray that Scott's soul is resting in peace and his spirit is finally at rest.

May God Bless you and keep you all as you deal with your loss. May He grant you peace and serenity and may He give you strength and wisdome.

All my love and deepest Sympathy,

Tyra Taylor (I added her last name she signed it just Tyra)

Trophy Day

Jr. is the one with the hat on Brian is the second on to the left of Jr.

Jr. and Brian

Jr. is the one leaning out next to him is Brian his cousin.

Take me out to the ballgame

Take me out to the ball game buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks oh this is a memorial for Jr. I wanted the food.

Jr.s Team

Now I think I know why Jr. quit playing baseball he had one coach that was a woman (what do they know about sports other than to bug their husbands) and the other woman was a team mom plus he had his daddy lord knows that did not help nor did the line shot that hit him in the forearm LOL by power hiters like Brian his cousin and Tristan his nephew. We heard a crack when he got hit he then asked if he could play outfield cant say as I blame him.

Relay for Life We are family........Amen

I could not be prouder of all of you. What love what courage what strength what grace what love love love love you all showed. You all know that Scott is smiling so big. So very big this was hard on all of you but yet you picked up the cross and carried and I mean everyone who participated.

Relay for life

For more see Randy's Blog

http://the-brinkley-family-blog.blogspot.com/2007/05/relay-for-life-2007.html

Relay for Life

As you all know Jolene sent around the thing to participate in donations in the Relay for Life with Cancer along time back when she was with Redstone. I thank all those that donated to that here or elsewhere. Jolene has a new job at the Methadone clinic she has to be there by 5:00 am. Here is her message to us. This is a downer but also and uplifter and I pray the family just accepts what is said. The Southers Jolene mentioned lost thier son at a young age. They are members of our church. So are the Toneys and David is a Cursillo group Brother.Jolene to you I say I could not be prouder of you. Your brother was walking by your side he was there the whole way as was Matthew Southers. It is where you drew your strength from that and from your mother who is very strong woman. You could have easily backed out and everyone would have understood. But I am also proud of the Brinkleys for making that walk what courage and LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE all of you showed. It reminds me of Jesus he fell three times but he got back up so did all of you that made that walk last night. The guy in the dress we do not claim.


Well as you know I went to the relay for life. After being up since 3am this morning.....I kept going lol but this walk was for Jr. Anyways I probably walked around like 20 times and then hugged the St. Paul's crew. Mr. and Mrs. Toney and Mr. and Mrs. Ruth Southers purchased a luminere in memory of Jr. I just thought I should let you know anyways as they were lighting them it was 10:00 and I was pooped...so I took the luminere home the bags were colored by elementary school children and it is cute and it is for you mama and daddy I will bring it by sometime this weekend........I told Mr. Toney that if the other bag does not burn up to grab it or if the Souther's get it then don't worry about it. I had a good time and cried my whole way home not that it was that that far but it seemed like it. The youngest survivor was 2yr old girl and that was really something I cried about that. I do not know what cancer she had but........it was sad. I yelled at Jr today but then I yelled at God too why couldn't he be here to walk as a survivor...it just was his time I know but its hard to accept.I love you goodnight

Jr. and his cousin Brian who recently just got married.

As I recall this dolphin fishing episode these 2 were throwing up and Carl was steering the boat and Hank and I were catching fish and holding on to our sons. LMBO.

You were always there...

Whenever I needed someone to talk to
You were always there.
My eyes filled with tears, my heart filled with pain,
and
You were always there.
There was no time when I had doubt
to come to you because
You were always there.
I could see in your eyes you wanted to help, and that
you really cared.

Whenever I was down and blue
You were always there.
No matter my problems, are what was wrong
You were always there.
Whenever I felt like nothing matters
You were always there.

Now your gone, and I don't know what to do
I close my eyes and think of you, and how
You were always there.
It's hard to look at the pictures, and get memories of
you
Can you hear me now
At night I pray, and I speak to you
I guess you were right when you told me no matter how
far you were
You would always be there.
I know one day I'll see you again, but till then I
have to say goodbye

Even though it hurts to hear your name, and speak of
you
One thing I will always say is
You were always there.

I love you Scott, my Phillipino Friend!!!


---------------
This Poem was written by Dawn (a close friend of Scott Jr's)

Jr. at different times in his life

The top picture is at Atlanta Motor Speedway where we were to watch Jr.s second cousin the Late Davey Allison race. Jr. is holding the very first chow chow we ever owned it ended up dying but it was a good dog. The bottom picture is Momma gettng them dressed for church or Easter or first communion. Something. LOL.

TSA I think an I think that is what it was called.

Randy I think you would remember this shirt and this time.

Psalm 81 (King James Version)

I believe that this was Scott Jr's favorite Psalm.

Psalm 81

1Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

2Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

3Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

4For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.

5This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

6I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

7Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

8Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

9There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

10I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

12So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

13Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

14I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

15The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.

16He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.