09-16-2017, 09:35 PM
He returns the nod and moves back to the fire, picking up another white candle and lighting it. He positions himself so he can view all who are present. If any more arrive, he will continue to light candles for them.
"I guess we should begin..." there's a pang to his voice "First I would like to thank all who have come. This is for me just as much as it is for you. I have prepared a short speech, so please bear with me through it." he manages a weak smile "After I finish speaking, silent reflection will follow. Remember, you can leave at any time and can stay for as long as you need to. There is no obligation tied to any of this. So, let us begin..." he takes a deep breath "Grief is an experience common to us all. We all lose someone we love at sometime. The difference lies in the names and circumstances of our loss. To lose a parent, a teacher, is to lose the past. To lose a lover or comrade is to lose the present. And to lose a child is to lose the future. Each of us has loved and lost and, the grief we feel because of it can be overwhelming. I believe the depth of our grief arises from the depth of our love. For, how can we not deeply grieve when someone precious has left us? It is only natural. Do not think for one moment that this makes you weak. Or that you need to hide behind a mask of stoicism. It is fine to be sad. It is fine to be angry. To shed tears or be confused. It is fine to feel. Whatever plagues your hearts, is fine. And it is fine for these emotions to linger. For only time can ease the pain but…True scars like these, never heal quickly nor completely. Nor do they have to. What is important, is that we persevere. That we continue to live on, so we may honor their memory. That responsibility falls to us. It falls to us to fight and strive to be the best versions of ourselves that we can. To live life to the fullest and become people that they can be proud of—that we can be proud of. Do not let guilt define your life. Do not let the burden of “what if” drag you down into apathy. Instead, learn what you can from your loss and march on. For we cannot change the past, only carve the future. I will not stand here and lie, claiming that this is easy. It isn’t. It is one of the most difficult obstacles we face in life. I can’t even say how long it’ll take…everyone is different. And because of that, there is no ‘right’ or ‘proper’ way to handle grief. There is only your way. Remember, they may be gone, but their spirit, their memories, their legacy…live on through us."
"I guess we should begin..." there's a pang to his voice "First I would like to thank all who have come. This is for me just as much as it is for you. I have prepared a short speech, so please bear with me through it." he manages a weak smile "After I finish speaking, silent reflection will follow. Remember, you can leave at any time and can stay for as long as you need to. There is no obligation tied to any of this. So, let us begin..." he takes a deep breath "Grief is an experience common to us all. We all lose someone we love at sometime. The difference lies in the names and circumstances of our loss. To lose a parent, a teacher, is to lose the past. To lose a lover or comrade is to lose the present. And to lose a child is to lose the future. Each of us has loved and lost and, the grief we feel because of it can be overwhelming. I believe the depth of our grief arises from the depth of our love. For, how can we not deeply grieve when someone precious has left us? It is only natural. Do not think for one moment that this makes you weak. Or that you need to hide behind a mask of stoicism. It is fine to be sad. It is fine to be angry. To shed tears or be confused. It is fine to feel. Whatever plagues your hearts, is fine. And it is fine for these emotions to linger. For only time can ease the pain but…True scars like these, never heal quickly nor completely. Nor do they have to. What is important, is that we persevere. That we continue to live on, so we may honor their memory. That responsibility falls to us. It falls to us to fight and strive to be the best versions of ourselves that we can. To live life to the fullest and become people that they can be proud of—that we can be proud of. Do not let guilt define your life. Do not let the burden of “what if” drag you down into apathy. Instead, learn what you can from your loss and march on. For we cannot change the past, only carve the future. I will not stand here and lie, claiming that this is easy. It isn’t. It is one of the most difficult obstacles we face in life. I can’t even say how long it’ll take…everyone is different. And because of that, there is no ‘right’ or ‘proper’ way to handle grief. There is only your way. Remember, they may be gone, but their spirit, their memories, their legacy…live on through us."
A young human dressed in a tunic and pants. He wears black greaves and bracers and carries a sword that is just a bit too large for him.
OOG: Robert DiBartolomeo
OOG: Robert DiBartolomeo