Sunday, May 01, 2005
Only The Good Die Young
Two young men grew up in the same town, but never really knew each other well. Both were brilliant, but never knew it, struggling to make it through High School. Both had a love of animals and the outdoors. Both came from a family of woodworkers, and swore they were going to do something different, and yet it was in their blood, and actually their passion. Both had a special quality with the people who knew and loved them, an integrity, loyalty, and honesty that drew people to them. Both left a legacy of beautiful furniture and homes to the many people who hired them, and one thing was for sure, if another project was projected, the builder was known for sure. Both of these men were called back.
The sad thing is both died way too early; long before anyone who loved them were ready to let go. One from a rare form of blood cancer, and the other from a massive heart attack. The former at 51 and the latter at 46.
Both of these men come together in that the latter was my brother and the former, the man I officiated his memorial service. What a privilege to speak at a service for this man who was so much like my brother, and to both offer to his family a comfort and yet receive so much myself. To speak for Boyd in a way I was unable to for my own brother, with grief too unbearable. But yesterday with tears that were strangely cleansing, mixed with grief for Boyd and Tom's (my) family. What a privilege. "Only the good die young"
The sad thing is both died way too early; long before anyone who loved them were ready to let go. One from a rare form of blood cancer, and the other from a massive heart attack. The former at 51 and the latter at 46.
Both of these men come together in that the latter was my brother and the former, the man I officiated his memorial service. What a privilege to speak at a service for this man who was so much like my brother, and to both offer to his family a comfort and yet receive so much myself. To speak for Boyd in a way I was unable to for my own brother, with grief too unbearable. But yesterday with tears that were strangely cleansing, mixed with grief for Boyd and Tom's (my) family. What a privilege. "Only the good die young"
