We left home around 8:30 to get to the church on time … Diane and i parked at the moskas walked.. gabe parked at chris's because he had to be ther early.. he and the other members of the lacrosse team were there to provide an honor guard for elijahs casket..

as we walked to the church, elijahs family drove by.. his dad, gary, stopped and his mom,tammy, opened the window.. we hugged each other .. and neither of us knew what to say.. Elijahs brother snd sisters were in the back of that van… I looked in and saw the love and the hurt they all felt. They're a wonderful and strong family… And they have a long road in front of them… We will all be there for them..

Elijah's family were active members of the congregational church in jericho and devout christians. By the time we got there , the tiny church was packed .the sanctuary was full upstairs as was the basement where we were. By the time the service started at 10 there were people spilling out into the green. Thee must have been 400 people there… This family is so well loved by our community

The service was pretty traditional.. There were two pastors.. Some readings.. Some songs.. Though the songs were new to me.. Many in the audience knew them and sang them well.. There was a short time for people to share memories of Elijah.. I knew him only through sports.. Where i knew him to be funny and strong.. He was many other things.. A hard worker on his parents farm, a very accomplished percussionist (he didn't like the word drummer).. An active member of his church.. And about to enlist in the marine corp on his 18th birthday.. Which would be sept 2nd.

Elijah's mother Tammy read a beautiful blog post she'd written just 3 weeks ago about elijahs approaching departure for the marines.. It was so sweet and beautiful and so sad.. She talked about elijahs big strong hands and how they were like her husbands… Elijahs girlfriend Crystal also spoke beautifully as did two of his friends from his youth group.. The memories rounded out the picture of this big strong , handsome and well loved kid …

At the end of the service… Elijahs coffin was carried out between a set of marine guards,, and all his lacrosse teammates with their lacrosse sticks.. Everyone was crying their eyes out… Including me.

Several folks have asked me today if going to a young person's funeral brings back painful memories of Sam's death… It doesn't… In that .. There is no 'bringing back' of those memories,. They a with us always.. What it does do is instantly link my heart to the family and friends.. Mostly to the parents.. Their path will surely be different than ours.. They sang hymns, we sang Nirvana… But. In the end, the same strong family ties and deep friendship of our community will bear them through.. I know it will.. And i know it will take time.. Lots of time..

Lets all keep elijah in our hearts.. And be there for his family.. They are going to need us all.

Nite all, nite sam

-me

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