Remembering Daddy
Rodolfo (“Rudy”) Juan Green Leocadio
May 16, 1935 - November 27, 2022
Dad and I a few weeks before he went home to be with the Lord, my brother Dave took the photo
Daddy, those last moments with you - your tender squeezing of our hands, gentle whispers of “I love you,” as your speech slipped away, the consistent blinking of your eyes to let us know, even as you fought to breath, you were still listening.
Your life an offering, a testament to the sanctuary that is love
no expectations
no pre-conditions
no barriers between us and you
Mom and Dad at an event for my hubby Kes
Daddy and our daughter Naima (“Nai” for short)
Daddy and I with Miss Foxy, our beagle girl
Daddy with our adopted cat Pearly; he would come by and check on Pearlie and Foxy while I was at work during the day
LOVE embodied…
transcendent, unbound by the span of lifetimes
and now this love blossoms within us, your beloveds,
and the many you met with kindness, generosity, and warmth.
Even as you moved through unspoken childhood trauma, you taught us pain could become a journey towards expansiveness,
compassion, connecting across differences, a bridge to see God’s face in all the faces we encounter.
You stopped to see people and all living beings in a world which screams over and over: “Look away.”
LOVE embodied…
Yesterday, I pulled out The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living: Excerpts from the Works of Father Thomas Keating about centering prayer, and on the morning God welcomed you into heavenly realm, November 27, Father Keating’s writing focused on dying within and spiritual rebirth: “Every true seeker of God, from the beginning of time to the end of the world, has to pass through the mysterious inward death and rebirth, perhaps many times over.” And I thought of Mom’s words to me years ago, her eyes holding tears of elation as she spoke: “Your Father became a different man. The Lord changed him.”
Our brother Rudy, Jr., Dad, Rudy, Grandma Violet and Me in Belize in 2001
Rebirth
Renewal
Transfiguration
You didn’t adhere to the staleness of religion; you came into relationship with Christ, day in and day out; it shifted your presence in the world. The prophet Isaiah’s words come to mind when I consider your faith journey, Daddy: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19.
Daddy, Dave and I
And I hear you now, prayers begining with scripture passages (particularly the book of Psalms), your voice trembling with reverence and awe: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalm 103).
I see you, Daddy, weathered hands raised, the color of stained wood, legs kicking with furious joy as you danced out your testimony. Of course, as a kid, none of this made sense; I shrunk in shame. It would years before I understood praise as a portal through pain, a calling into holy presence and purpose.
In the days since your transition to heaven, I feel God pouring mountains of memories into my consciousness - melodic rhythms and lyrics from your favorite songs; your wisdom on resilience and faith: “Take the word can’t out of your vocabulary.” “Hang in there, don’t let go.”
This encouragement for us, even as your own body broke down.
You taught us not to fear death because each of us, in every moment, is dying, releasing, but while we are here, “Come ALIVE,” you would say. Come ALIVE!” Your smile widening with emphasis as you reached out to hug us with a reminder: “I love you all very much.”
We love you, too, Daddy… into eternity. You are, as your favorite signer Nat King Cole once sang - unforgettable.
“Unforgettable
In every way
And forever more
That's how you'll stay…
That's why, darling
It's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too.”
Daddy back in the day (circa early 80s)
In Remembrance of Dad: Our Belizean Family, Garifuna Culture and Music:
Dad was born in Honduras and also lived in Belize, before immigrating to the U.S. He is part of the Garifuna community / culture , which is Afro-Indigenous. Check out this powerful video about the musical legacy of Garifuna people (focused on the Queen of Calypso, filmed in Hopkins Village, Belize feat. Garifuna Collective.
The Garifuna are the descendants of indigenous Arawak, Kalinago (Island Carib), and Afro-Caribbean people. The founding population of the Central American diaspora, estimated at 2,500 to 5,000 persons, were transplanted to the Central American coast from the Commonwealth Caribbean island of Saint Vincent,[7] which was known to the Garinagu as Yurumein,[8] in the Windward Islands in the British West Indies in the Lesser Antilles. Small Garifuna communities still live in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Garifuna diaspora abroad includes communities in Honduras, in the United States, and in Belize. Source: Wikipedia
Music Playlist in Remembrance of Dad - He was a music lover enjoying everything from the soulful melodies of Sam Cooke and Nat King Cole to worship musicians such as Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, country and rock music (Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart, and on and on…). These songs are either favs. or have a connection with me to his spirit.
Daddy leaves a host of beautiful grandchildren and great grand children, our Belizean Family
Dad and grandson Jamar Green
Grandchildren:
Shamayne Green
Sherlette Green Foreman
Shamika Green
Shalini Green
Ashira Betran
Shymaine Mejia
Rodulph Green jr
Randy Green
Jamar Green
Great grandchildren:
Shadiamond Joseph
Cecil Joseph
Shadae Foreman
Shadane Foreman
Dane Foreman Jr.
Danuel Foreman
Abry Lopez
Andy Barona
Anellie Barona
Kaysean Young
Randy Green Jr.
Unique Green
Katalya Green
Rudolph Green Jr.
Jobe Green
Dante Green, grandson
Daddy in Staten Island, New York (back in the day)