Yesterday I shared in the sacred celebration of the life and death of a Saint by the name of Eddie. By worldly standards Eddie was not a man of standing; poor and uneducated he lived on the edge of life. But those of us who gathered to remember his life we celebrated a man of standing and courage. This is what I learned yesterday about Eddie. At the age of four or five he was a member of a very large family. Because he had special needs his family convinced themselves that they could not care of Eddie. So at the age of four or five his father walked Eddie to the edge of the family property and told this little boy to wait then he walked back to the house. Eventually a sheriff came and took Eddie away and that was the last he ever saw of his family.
I was stuck down by this story. In my mind I saw little Eddie with a small bag at his feet in confusion and sorrow abandoned by the side of the road. The years that followed would be ones of abandonment and constant movement. Most of his adult life would be living in conditions near to slavery and always poverty. Yet in the midst of this tribulation would arise a man of humble integrity and vast kindness. The world could only see a small man but closer inspection revealed one who deserves the title of saint.
Over the years Eddie had a close friend Charlie who sadly was killed in an accident while walking down the road, like Eddie, Charlie was poor and uneducated. Yet when he died his loyal friend Eddie worked tirelessly to ensure that his friend had a funeral and place to be buried. Eddie worked out the means to secure a cemetery plot for his friend and a plot for himself beside his friend and worked out a plan to pay for his own eventual funeral. Eddie wanted to pay his own way in life and with the help of others worked hard to make this happen.
The years passed and Eddie secured the respect and admiration of the street people of Westminster but also others have to know his character. One businessman found in Eddie counsel, wisdom and perspective borne from hardship and suffering and when feeling overwhelmed would seek Eddie to share a meal and sit with a man of humble honor. He attested that he was always better for such time with this humble man.
I only knew Eddie in the latter years of his life, but I was always taken with his gentle and loving ways. Confined to an electric cart because of failing health Eddie was a constant presence around town traveling from place to place. Yet he continued to enjoy the simple things of life.
I know Eddie never knew how great a shadow he cast in life. He was incredibly too humble to every assume such a thing. Yet here is the truth of Eddie… The world was cruel and hard for this man. Illness brought him low and tragedy took from him family and friend. Most people would have been destroyed by such afflictions but Eddie lived instead with humble and simple dignity. He cared for others and loved God.
Official Saints are recognized by formal Church actions. No doubt Eddie will never receive such formal Church action. But I have got to know Eddie and many others have gotten to know him better than me. There is no doubt that we have been privileged to walk beside a Saint. If a title could be given I suspect that it would be Saint Eddie, Patron saint of the poor and neglected of Carroll County.
God bless you Eddie,,, Rest beside your friend Charlie and rest in the love of God.
Clem's Corner 