Eulogy

 

Last Thursday was my Dad's funeral. Even though I had already delivered 3 eulogies before (more than a decade ago), this one was special, because even though I also had a special bond with the other people, in particular my two grandmothers at whose funeral I spoke, it's another level of closeness you feel with your parents, in particular as an only child.

knew that I wanted to do "my thing" again: a) speak without any notes and b) giving the sad occasion a positive spin and encouraging people to remember positive things about the deceased. I won't lie, it was one of the proudest moments of my life and all the positive feedback I got (from Highflyer telling me he was so proud of me and Mum confirming it was a beautiful speech that Dad would have loved, to one of Mum's friends telling me it brought tears to hear eyes and another one thanking me for allowing everyone to leave on such a positive note, to several people telling me they were in awe as they could never speak at their loved one's funeral themselves) was the most valuable and precious I ever received for any challenge I have mastered so far. Despite it being a sad occasion, it was a heart-warming farewell and I am very much at peace due to my part in it.