On The Road To Love

Nobody really knows when their path will cross again with their loved ones. Life's uncertainties make it impossible to predict how long, or if at all, our next encounter will be. So, it's important while we're alive we continue on the road to love.

When you're disabled, such as being hearing impaired, it's a long, hard struggle to keep your rightful place in society. Sometimes people who learn of your hearing impairment will treat you differently than they previously had.

I knew a man who treated everyone equally, no matter what they may have been dealing with, impaired, or unimpaired. He treated everyone with great kindness and respect. His name was Charles Arthur Aston, Sr. and he passed away on August 6th this year. He worked as an Auto Mechanic, for the Los Angeles County Mechanical Dept., at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, in Downey, CA, until he retired. He was also President of AFSCME Local 119 (his local Union). He helped the employees receive more benefits, and helped the Chief Steward with many grievances, including helping employees to keep their jobs.

On Wednesday, Aug. 9th, my roommate, her father, and I attended the Viewing at Rose Hills Mortuary in Whittier, CA. When we arrived, Chuck's family were seated in a very small room where his body lay in a coffin for the viewing. Before we went inside the room, we signed the guestbook, which was on a stand by the door. Then we knocked and went inside to offer our condolences.

As soon as I saw Chuck in the coffin, I began to cry. I remembered what a warm, compassionate, and giving man he had been. His family greeted us with warm hugs and thanked us for coming. They offered us directions to the funeral services which would be held on Friday, Aug. 11th.

The service took place at Curry Temple AME Zion in Compton, CA. Pastor A. Victor Brown held a beautiful and moving remembrance of Chuck. He spoke of Chuck's positive attitude: "Whenever Chuck was asked, 'How you doing?' Chuck would always reply, 'Great, Great!' Chuck was never a complainer, his strength in character and positive outlook in life caused him to inexhaustibly extend a helping hand to others."

My roommate's father read a poem, "Love Still Abides,". He said, "Goodbye Dear Friend, and Brother." Many others had great remembrances of Chuck to share as well.

Chuck will always be remembered by the people and lives he touched. He inspired many, by his actions. As I mentioned in the card we presented to his family, he was one in a million, and I'm proud to have known him.

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