The experience of a memorial service is always hard. And when it’s your brother, it’s even harder. One for a sibling was a first for me, but it was the 5th memorial in 16 months that I’ve had to attend. Enough already. Yesterday it was a service where no one was sure if they could speak on Terry’s behalf… whether they could actually get the words out. I couldn’t let that happen, so I found a song called “Fly” that I thought was a great representation of the situation and hoped that I could get through it. With his love of music, it seemed appropriate to read lyrics… though not a Beatles song, which he would have appreciated even more. And then his best friend of 43 years managed to say some lovely words about Terry and his love for him. It was a wonderful day of a gathering of friends and family who hadn’t seen each other in a long, long time. And now it’s our task to keep Terry alive in our hearts with all of the great memories we have. Easier said than done, but hopefully concentrating on remembering all the good stuff will help the healing process.
Lyrics to “Fly”, by Celine Dion
Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven’s love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem’ry bittersweet
Until we meet
Fly, fly do not fear
Don’t waste a breath, don’t shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don’t wait for me
Above the universe you’ll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won’t forget
Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light