Lots of good stuff happened today.. but I’ll bring that stuff in tomorrow Today I wanted to talk abotu Brandon Kilburn’s memorial service. The service was today at 11 AM at the Congregational Church in Jericho Center. I had gone back and forth on whether I should go.. I wasn’t sure how i would do in that setting. This morning, I decided to go.. it felt important to me to be there . I got there just as the service was starting.. th whole green in Jericho Center was surrounded by cars.. I had to park a good way down the street and walk.
By the time I got there the upstairs church was full.. there were about 100 more folks in the basement watching the service on remote TV. I parked myself in the back of the room and watched. .The service was very warm and very sad. Our friend Marvin did a truly wonderful and beautifully told set of stories about Brandon/ These stories really defined this great kid. an athlete, an outdoorsman, a loyal friend and family member and a great prankster. I felt I knew Brandon much better through those stories. The director of Camp TaKumTa, the camp for kids with or survivors of cancer, got up and talked about Brandon’s great service to the camp and campers.. Since loosing a kidney to cancer as a baby. Brandon had been a camper at TaKumTa from the time he was a little kid until this past year. Rocky. the school councilor from MMU also got up and said some great things about what a good guy Brandon was… Finally, Brandon’s Mother and Father, sister, cousins and grandmother got up to speak. I was fine for the whole thing except for when I saw hi mother and father speak. When I heard Brandon’s dad talk abut his fine son… the last year dissapeard for me and I was doing the same thing at Sam’s memorial. I could feel it as though I was just in that place.. I remembered the pain just as it felt then… I sent some love back to myself on that very hard day.. then came back to ‘now’ and sent some love to Brandon’s parents.. I know every one is different in how they cope and heal.. but I feel a deep and sad kinship to these people. When the time comes we’ll reach out to them…
I know it might seem weird to take pictures at a funeral.. but this blog is such an important way for me to record my days.. I hope folks would forgive me doing this.. I do it with all respect to Brandon in his family.
After the service… most folks came downstairs for lunch and to watch a slide show of Brandon’s pictures.. I loved watching the pictures… but it was so, so hard to watch the Kilburn’s watching the slideshow.. Again.. the year just telescoped away and I was there doing the same thing. I had to turn away and go outside for a bit to catch myself. As I stood there many friends came by and hugged me. I got lots of caring comments to the effect of ”ll bet this brings back lots of memories’. The truth is.. every day is full of memories about Sam.. this event is sad because of Brandon’s death.. it’s not about us or our situation. I felt sad.. but at the same time, strong and centered. I loved that the community was there for the Kilburns as the have been there for us.
I hung around for a while talking to folks and watching the slide show… eventually I had to get going.. I said good bye and walked upstairs. the Sanctuary was empty now.. Its a beautiful building..
Again it was so sad to see another great kid taken from us at such an early age.. This community is really struggling to take this in. at the same time I see the strength of our community in how they support the folks that really need it.
OK.. that’s all for now.. I wish peace to all of you in the Richmond?Jericho community.. and you too Sam. ..Peace out
-me