When Poppa Ray passed away it was a tough task to write his obituary. We were reeling from our loss and trying to encapsulate a life well lived into just a few paragraphs proved to be a daunting task. But we did it and looking back, it was an important step in the grieving process. At his memorial, my wife prompted me to stand and tell a heartwarming story about Poppa Ray and our old dog, Gunner.
I did and it helped.
On September 12th, my Marine Corps buddy assumed his post at the Pearly Gates of Heaven. He was gone too soon but ready to stand watch on the rest of us Unitl Valhalla. Although I was in both of his weddings back in the day, I didn't make it to his funeral a week later as I chose to be present for the crowning of a Queen....a Queen that lives under the same roof as I do....I think my friend Steve would understand.
Two short weeks later, as I was preparing to eulogize, Bob and Nancy, the parents of another one of my best buds another friend from my inner-circle passed away. Mick Skalsky, my mentor and friend, succumbed to his year and a half battle with pancreatic cancer on September 29th. As I was readying a speech to memorialize two influencial adults in my life, I lost another person directly responsible for making me the man I am today.
Having not really been asked to speak during a formal funeral - I was honored but still huritng from my own emotional rollercoaster. The following are two eulogies that I presented in the span of 6 days.
I hope it helped the families of some wonderful people that I really am thankful to have had in my life.
It helped me.
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