Photoessay #997 - Memorial Service

We've not yet been to this memorial service but I do have this picture of the young person being honored. We'll go later this afternoon.

I HATE going to memorial for people's children. Nasty and sorrowful. This is the 4th one:

Matt Mark
Eric Winges
Edward Curran
now
Kristen Jardine

23 years old. It just bites any which way you look at it. I feel very close to this family and tried to help these last few weeks. Mainly on one of the first days, they asked me to come over and sit with them. But now, here's the memorial with all of the relatives and all of the many details.

I'll write an update when I come back.

So we're there and back. Estimate 200-300 people there. The Congregational Minister did a great job. I particularly liked the part at the end where we 'entrust' the loved one to the mystery or the next place. Comforting.

The service was definitely from the parent's point of view. I think some of Kristen's friends were there but they didn't have much of a voice. The speakers were David, her father with Lee sitting on stage next to him and one of Kristen's friends. Surprisingly, no one stepped forward to speak when the minister opened up the mike to those who might wish to share a story. I had met Kristen a few times and, often being a sucker to step forward, I didn't have much to add.

25 Changes people were there. People so familiar to me. When we greeted Lee, she cried out "Oh here's MY TEAM! MY TEAM! I am so glad to see you!"

But now, we are all tired and just want to hang around. Including Natsuko, just need a little time off