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a close friend passed away last week and on friday there was a memorial... i had no idea what to expect... i thought maybe it would be at some hall and well i figured it would be typical of all the others ive been to... but i was very wrong
it was at his house, for one thing... his son had flown in to say goodbye and was in the process of closing down the house and all of his father's affairs
it was basically a block party
he was very active in his community and everyone loved him
there were about 150 people there... the party was at 4 houses because they needed the room... 3 of the houses had bbq's going in the driveways and the 4th house had a catered spread... there was everything from creole sausage to deepfried fish to mac n cheese and well, everything you could think of from like 4 different cultures... it was great
and then after everyone had eaten, we all gathered on one of the lawns and the passed out about 100 helium balloons... and said a prayer... and released them
one of the balloons got stuck in the tree, which was actually very fitting, cause my friend was a tree climber... one of those guys who swings around in the tops of trees with chainsaws, cutting them down
and after the balloons, the icecream man happened by and when they told him it was a memorial service, he gave out free icecream to all the kids that were there (like 20-30 i think)
there was a 4' tall card full of pictures of my friend and his loved ones that everyone was signing... they had to start writing on the back cause it was so full
anyway, it was really quite nice,
but im really gonna miss my friend :(
it was at his house, for one thing... his son had flown in to say goodbye and was in the process of closing down the house and all of his father's affairs
it was basically a block party
he was very active in his community and everyone loved him
there were about 150 people there... the party was at 4 houses because they needed the room... 3 of the houses had bbq's going in the driveways and the 4th house had a catered spread... there was everything from creole sausage to deepfried fish to mac n cheese and well, everything you could think of from like 4 different cultures... it was great
and then after everyone had eaten, we all gathered on one of the lawns and the passed out about 100 helium balloons... and said a prayer... and released them
one of the balloons got stuck in the tree, which was actually very fitting, cause my friend was a tree climber... one of those guys who swings around in the tops of trees with chainsaws, cutting them down
and after the balloons, the icecream man happened by and when they told him it was a memorial service, he gave out free icecream to all the kids that were there (like 20-30 i think)
there was a 4' tall card full of pictures of my friend and his loved ones that everyone was signing... they had to start writing on the back cause it was so full
anyway, it was really quite nice,
but im really gonna miss my friend :(
I recently attended a celebration of life ceremony that was very similar to what you describe.
The man was a pilot and they did a "missing man" flyover. That was a tear jerker for sure. There was also an amazing catered buffet and a pool party, and a keg.
Sometimes as was the usual this time you see old friends you might not ever run into at any other time. Funerals are definitely for the living.
Hello my friend. What a beautiful tribute to your friend. I am once again so deeply sorry for your loss. So glad that you were able to go to the tribute and how ironic that the balloon got caught in the tree. It was sweet.
I pray that your friend will rest in peace and you know I am here for you anytime.
(((HUGS)))
GBU
D
;-]
Your Friend Must Have Been An Amazing Person To Have Been Loved So Much By So Many.
BIG ((((((((HUGS))))))))))))
and yeah, i was really impressed... id love for someone to do the same for me
and he was well loved by everyone who knew him
he had his faults, like we all do, but, they were trivialized by the joy he brought to everyones lives around him
*hugs for all*