I attended Randy's memorial service today.
It was a very nice ceremony. I forgot my video camera but was able to get the taps and flag portion on my phone. I will try to get that on a video to share asap. I posted the pages of the memorial pamphlet they gave out in the memorial photo section and below here.
The hospice Chaplan gave a wonderful tribute and talk. I think Randy would approve. Something he shared in a humorous way was that before Randy would agree to letting him be his pastor or give his eulogy, that he told him he had to get to know him first to make sure he was conservative enough not only religiously but also politically.
lol - That was so typically Randy! He was true to his loyalties and beliefs right to the end.
The pastor talked about Randy coming back to God in his last years and days. One thing he said that stood out to me, was how Randy told him something he had never heard from a Hospice patient before. That was, Randy had confided that he was relieved to find out he was dying. When the pastor asked why, Randy replied it had worried him when he realized he was becoming unable to give his all to everything he did. He prided himself in that and in working along side younger people while being able to keep up with them. He told the pastor, at least when he heard he was dying, he knew it was not because he had simply grown weak, but because he was sick.
When they asked if anyone had anything to say, I spoke about what a great friend he had been and what an honor it was to know him and be present to celebrate his life. I said I was there also to represent several other of his friends who cared about him but couldn't make it today.
I could not help but shed a few tears and it felt like I said goodbye to the brother I never met. His daughter was really nice and gave me a hug. His grand children are adorable. I saw that lively and slightly mischievous gleam present in Randy's eyes also in their eyes. He lives on through them.
It was a beautiful first day of spring and I think a very appropriate day to celebrate Randy's life. I felt his presence smiling just like the picture they had of him next to his ashes and flag.
RIP Randy
I will NEVER forget you.
