Photoessay #120 - Memorial Service

We just returned from a three day trip to the Bay Area and Sacramento. We traveled mainly to attend the Memorial Service for Dan B in Marin County. I have been close to this family my entire life and I love and adore all of them. Dan passed at the age of 79 too soon by far for this loving and gentle man. I loved seeing his three adult children (and their spouses) who I have always considered my cousins. Each has a child and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them. A dog show was thrown in for good measure. Also wonderful to meet members of the extended family I have heard about for so many years. Notably Bill, Dan's brother, who has lived near Berlin his entire adult life.

I really appreciated being considered a member of the immediate family during this important weekend. When we arrived, Dennis and I helped Sue move the furniture and set the table in anticipation of the family dinner for 26 that evening. Every expected person attended, the bread we picked up at Spengers was incorporated in. Mark sadly mentioned as he grilled chicken in the back yard that he missed his father who would have been out there with him giving him instruction.

Bill M (another one of Mark's friend of long standing), Dennis and myself were appointed to be ushers at the Memorial Service. We welcomed people at the door, gave out programs and worked at finding seats. The minister (an extended family member with a Unitarian Church in Oakland) was able to secure the Unitarian Church in San Rafael for the service, a beautiful building perched on a hill with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. Around 180 chairs were setup, Sue didn't expect that many people. By the time the service started and the family filed in, every seat was filled. We did our job.

Mark delivered a moving touching well-spoken eulogy, truly a beautiful work. Lynn and June and the spouses also spoke eloquently. How easily it is to speak lovingly of Dan! Lynn's husband and a family friend played guitar and cello, with emphasis on campfire songs. Afterwards, the family hosted a lovely catered reception in the courtyard. We also helped bring the flowers along and set up the table with photographs. When the guests had departed, we convened back at the family home and noshed on the leftovers. More relaxed faces all around to have the memorial service done.....

Lynn developed this montage of photos which appeared on the back of the program.