A Celebration of Life Memorial
Prelude/Gathering Music
Opening Words
We gather this afternoon to grieve the loss of Felix
Brow-Westbrook. Beloved son, brother, friend. Here we will have space together
to mourn, to cry. But we also gather so that we might remember, share and
celebrate Felix’ life. Today, we have an opportunity to give thanks for the way
Felix’ life touched each of yours and so many more. We affirm that Felix will
live on in the minds and hearts of all those who knew and loved him.
Death has brought us together this afternoon, but so has the
need to honor an amazing human whose life and passions created beauty and
wonder in this world. We gather to remember but also to offer comfort to each
other, and to remind ourselves that we each grieve in our own ways and in our
own time; may all find comfort and peace and hope in the embrace of this
gathered community.
Chalice Lighting
In our Unitarian Universalist tradition, we open our
services with a chalice lighting. The chalice is a symbol of hope, of light in
the darkness. It also symbolizes the divine spark in each of us, the best in
each of us. This morning, we light our chalice as symbol of Felix’ spark: the
life, light, joy, beauty, and love he brought to so many.
As Felix’ brothers light the chalice, I offer you the words
of Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist peace activist.
Oneness
Thich Nhat Hanh
The moment I die I will try to come back to you as quickly as possible. I promise it will not take long. Isn't it true I am already with you, as I die each moment? I come back to you in every moment. Just look, feel my presence. If you want to cry, please cry. And know that I will cry with you. The tears you shed will heal us both. Your tears are mine. The earth I tread this morning transcends history. Spring and Winter are both present in the moment. The young leaf and the dead leaf are really one. My feet touch deathlessness, and my feet are yours. Walk with me now. Let us enter the dimension of oneness and see the cherry tree blossom in Winter. Why should we talk about death? I don't need to die to be back with you.
Music
I call it the Cloud Atlas Sextet. There are whole movements imagining us meeting again and again in different lives, different ages
Robert Frobisher in Cloud Atlas
This music was chosen by
Felix's friend Walter. They were taking turns reading the book
Cloud Atlas aloud in the weeks prior to Felix's passing. They never did finish the book.
A half finished book is, after all, a half finished love affair
David Mitchell from Cloud Atlas
Reading
read by Eli Denby Wood
Musical Reflection
Chimes
Composed and performed by Eli Denby Wood
This is a special selection because its only been performed 3 times. The first time Felix was in attendance at a small showing in support of Eli and their music. Eli and Felix held a mutual respect for each other's work, and supported each other in their artistic endeavors, both together and apart. The next 2 times this song was performed was at memorial services for Felix.
Eulogy
Musical Reflection
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far
Very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
by Nat King Cole
This selection was chosen by Felix's friend Zak. It's a song Felix loved, and Zak, a professional singer, would frequently sing it for him.
Sibling Reflections
No life can be fully told by one person. There are facts,
but there are also impressions, memories, feelings. This afternoon, Felix’
siblings will share some personal reflections about their brother.
One cannot write how grieved one is nor find any comfort. It is a grief that will last and which I certainly never forget as long as I live; the only thing one might say is that he himself has the rest he was longing for... Life was such a burden to him; but now as often happens, everyone is in praise of his talents... Oh Mother, he was my own, own brother.
Theo Van Gogh
Musical Reflection
Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now
Don McLean
by Don McLean sung by Rebekah Parise
This song was chosen by Felix's sister Rebekah after watching the movie
Loving Vincent with him. This quote sums up the selection.
In many ways he reminds me of the famous artist Vincent van Gogh. He had many difficulties and he always expressed them through his passionate works of art.
Rebekah Parise
Reflection
Henry David Thoreau journal entry read by Patrick Gallagher
On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living- that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend’s life also, in our own, to the world
Original Composition
composed and performed by Patrick Gallagher
Open Sharing
Elizabeth has asked for time in our service today for those
among you so moved to offer a short memory or brief words for the family.
There will be time in the days and weeks and months to come
to continue sharing stories about Felix and the life he lived.
Meditation/Prayer
Closing Words
Music
Give me water
Give me rainfall
For I can't wash away
The thoughts of you around me
Hayley Westenra
Malena by Ennio Morricone was chosen because the sorrowful music evokes feelings of "what could have been," of potential lost. Music Director and organist
Sean Mayes adapted it for organ for the memorial which created a powerful experience.
Extinguishing the Chalice
We extinguish our chalice this afternoon, but
not the remembered light of Felix Brow-Westbrook,
not our hope for the future, not the power of love.
Felix’s love is his true legacy, and that can never be
extinguished.
Benediction
May you go from this place, strengthened by love that never
dies,
Celebrating the memory of your beloved Felix,
And committed to living your own life as fully,
Thoughtfully, and creatively as he did.
Go in peace.
"What is, is and what might have been never existed"