Andy's Service today

[yewberry]

Please let me begin by saying that, honestly, I feel a little presumptuous posting this.

I never met Andy in person; I only ever knew him here. I'm a pretty shy person (even here) and Andy was one of the people who always made me laugh and feel comfortable.

However, I'll post a little about the service for those who weren't able to be there.

Today started out really gloomy in Seattle--mid-60s, cloudy. About 1:30, people began arriving at Town Hall in groups and alone, hugging people, others introducing themselves, others just standing quietly.

We signed the guestbooks, and there were photos of Andy set up, some of him alone, others of him with friends and family. Next, there was a table full of "Andy Stephenson for Secretary of State//Protect your ballot" pins and, oddly, cut-glass ashtrays. The next table was decorated with a ballot box with a "Vote" sign on it. Lots of flowers.

The first music was "Peace In the Valley," performed beautifully by friends dear to Andy (and to some here.) Not sad, but hopeful-sounding.

The service was directed by a Lutheran pastor, who told the story of Lazarus and spoke of Andy's confirmation and the baptismal certificate that his mom had carefully saved. The pastor said that it was okay to cry, and that it was better to allow oneself to mourn rather than nursing "if onlies."

The next piece of music was, "How Great Thou Art," and the tears flowed a little more freely now. The high-notes were striking, and the piece was lovely.


Will Pitt delivered the first eulogy. He talked about Andy's drive, his committment, and his booming laugh. Mostly his spirit. He talked about how many people across the country had been affected by this one man, about absent friends, and how DU and so many others mourn his loss. Will ended with a heartfelt Irish blessing.
"May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand."

The musical interlude was "The Very Thought of You," which, again, was wonderful.


Gentry Lange, Andy's friend and former campaign manager (and now a candidate for County Executive) delivered the second eulogy. Gentry talked about how he he had met Andy and become his campaign manager within half an hour, infected with Andy's enthusiasm (and utter lack of political knowledge.) He talked about Andy's goals and his legacy, his endless campaigning, even until he was counseling doctors and nurses about the need for voter-verified paper ballots from his hospital bed. Gentry, too, asked that God hold Andy in the hollow of his hand.

Close friends, one by one, stood up and talked about their memories of Andy, how he and Ted had been so much a part of their lives. How much he and his light will be missed.

A memorial photo montage was shown, with piano accompaniment. Andy as a baby, red hair askew; Andy with his bicycle, then with his motorcycle. A smiling high school graduation picture, then one at the beach building a sandcastle. There were pictures of Andy and Ted, smiling at the world, hugging family members, Andy asleep, wrapped in quilts.

There was an open podium for friends to come up and share their memories and feelings, and there were some whose names you'd know, others you wouldn't. There were people from DU, some who'd come across the country, others who'd come from across town. There were people from DFA, a local elections worker, and others whose lives had somehow been touched. There was laughter and crying, stories about Ethel Merman impressions and late-night phone calls from behind a voting-software company. We held hands, we sniffled, we had a moment of silence. We listened and we heard. Finally, we sang "Amazing Grace."

There was very little negativity and lots of good memories shared by lots of people. The effort that went into today's service showed in how well it went, and how comfortable and comforted people seemed to be there.

Some time during the service, the sun came out and we emerged to a beautiful afternoon. It's clear now, and I can Mt. Rainier from my window.

Thanks to all, for everything.

[MissWaverly]

1. Thanks for the post

It's nice to know that it was restrained and a nice tribute to him.
Thanks for sharing.

Miss Waverly

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. Nominated for the greatest page...

Thanks tofunut.

Will did the Irish blessing at my request. I have seen many of Andy's family photos, but not some that you mention.

Thanks so much for this post.

:hug: And thanks for being there today....

[coffeenap]

3. Hugs, Tofunut--THANK YOU so much for posting.

You have given us a wonderful gift tonight.

[babylonsister]

4. Lovely, tofunut. Thank you kindly for sharing, and

for all the DUers who attended, representing the rest of us in spirit. RIP, Andy.

[Mythsaje]

5. Thanks for this...

I'm in Tacoma and my heart was with you all, even if I couldn't be physically. Hip deep in work here, and WAY too broke to consider unnecessary travel at the moment. I can't even really contemplate going across town to visit my Dad this weekend because I have to get to and from work all week before payday.

I'm glad the clouds broke loose and gave you all some sunshine before it was all over.

[LibertyorDeath]

6. Thank You

[Cassandra]

7. Thank you for sharing this...

for those of us who couldn't be there.

[DemReadingDU]

8. Thank you for sharing

[Individualist]

Thank you, tofunut

[Oversea Visitor]

9. Thanks

was waiting for news on this. :hug:

[annabanana]

10. Thank you

It sounds like it was a lovely memorial. I believe we were all there in spirit.

[KittyWampus]

11. That Was Very Nice. Thanks. Sorry I Couldn't Attend In Person.

:grouphug:

[Historic NY]

12. Thank you for sharing this with us tofunut................

I never met Andy either only an on-line connection. Some how I felt a solidarity with the work he was doing across the country. I wish I could have been there but your words almost make it so. In spirit a lot of Andy's DU connections were there today, along with those who knew him best. May your sadden hearts be uplifted.

[mom cat]

13. Thanks for sharing this for those of us who could only be there

in spirit. :grouphug:

[alittlelark]

14. Thank you for the synopsis.

It sounds like a beautiful service!
:hug:

[BamaBecky]

15. We appreciate your words and are comforted by them......

I'm pleased that the service went so well.......and that you could be there.....and others from DU could be there...

I hope Ted and the family found a great deal of comfort also from the outpouring of love....

Bama

[oldtime dfl_er]

34. A perfect description

I was there, too, and this description is right on. There was a lot more laughter than tears, more singing than sniffling, more hope than sorrow. I only knew Andy from DU but I bet he would have enjoyed the crowd and the service.

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/702950

[BamaBecky]

54. I'm so please to hear this......thank you...n/t

[B Calm]

16. Thank you tofunut

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. Thank you, tofunut.

Andy has been on my mind all day today. That was lovely, thank you. :hug:

[havocmom]

18. tofunut, thanks for the lovely comments for those of us who weren't there.

It is much appreciated. You may be shy, but you have a great gift with word and feelings. Thank you so much for such a heartfelt report of Andy's Memorial. It means a lot to DUers scattered across the land.

[merh]

19. Bless you for posting this and for sharing with us.

:hug: It sounds lovely and I bet that Andy was smiling on you all. :hug:

[aquart]

20. It must be clear to everyone by now

That Andy's life was well lived, and to great purpose.

I read some letters once, bound in a book, written around the time of the Civil War, a southern family's letters (The Children of Pride series) and one thing especially leaped out at me. A mother spoke of her child and expressed the hope, not that it would be good, or happy, or rich, but that the community in which that child lived and grew would one day be grateful that it had lived.

Andy touched a very large, sprawling community across this nation. I was one.

I am grateful that he lived.

[AmBlue]

21. Sounds like the service was lovely.

Thanks so much for posting.

[Catherine Vincent]

22. Thanks for sharing.

Peace.

[ultraist]

23. What a loving send off...

For a life well lived.

[New Earth]

24. thank you

i wish i could have gone.

wierd OT question - was there anyone there wearing dark green?

[pacalo]

25. Beautifully written, tofunut.

Rest in peace, Andy.

[Minstrel Boy]

26. Thanks for posting this.

And thanks to every DUer who was able to go, and represent Andy's community here.

[LizW]

27. How beautiful. Thank you for telling us about it. n/t

[Stephanie]

28. Beautiful description

You're a real writer. Thank you very much. I really do appreciate your description. I am so sad, so sad for Andy. He wanted to live - it was not in the cards.

xx
S

[Liberal In Texas]

29. Thank you.

Nicely written, I almost felt like I was there.

Andy, I miss your posts. I always looked forward to reading anything with Andy Stephenson on the page.

[helderheid]

30. Thank you - My heart breaks all over again.

:cry: :loveya: :cry:

[EFerrari]

40. Usually a sign you still have one.

Mine is in pieces. Today was that kind of day.

I'm not all done being furious or all done being bereft. Not by a long shot.

But today, some people got some comfort. One foot, other foot.

And between you and me, Andy loved the fuss. Well done, my friend.

:hug:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

31. Thank you so much for sharing.. I truly appreciate it. n/t

[SeattleGirl]

32. I'd like to add a little bit, if you don't mind...

tofunut, nice post, and it pretty much captures the service, which really was quite nice. There were tears and laughter and stories that made Andy come alive all over again. And for me, who never had the opportunity to meet Andy, it was a way for me to get to know him a little more, through the eyes of those closest to him, who loved him so very much. What emerged from these stories was an even clearer picture of what an incredible, special person he was, and even though he is no longer here, it's very clear he will live on.

One thing that came up over and over again was his activism for paper ballots (not paper TRAILS!). One of my favorite stories was about how, when they were wheeling Andy from recovery to ICU at Johns Hopkins, he's asking the nurses and doctors if they voted! (And if the vote counted.....). He truly never stopped working for the cause so dear to him.

I met Ted and Andy's mom, Dorothy, and spoke briefly with each of them. I told them that while I had never met him, Andy touched me, as he had so many many people. Ted is a wonderful person, and Dorothy is a sweet, lovely person. I hope that with time, the hurt they feel now will not be so sharp and painful, and that they will find peace.

[merh]

35. Thanks SeattleGirl

:hug: Thank you so much. :pals:

[SeattleGirl]

37. Back at ya!

:pals:

[merh]

41. You know I was there with you - in spirit, don't ya.

Wish I could have been there, if you think of more, please pmail me. :hug:


:patriot: Andy :loveya:

[SeattleGirl]

47. A lot of people were "there"

in spirit, I really believe. I could feel it.

:grouphug:

[fooj]

69. Yes, we were. I'm glad you felt us there. Andy was there, too.

Thank you, SeattleGirl. You've given me great comfort.

Peace.:hug:

[yewberry]

46. Oh, please do add!

I only posted my impressions and observations. So much was said today, and felt...I only wanted to begin to tell it.

Thank you for sharing, too.

[SeattleGirl]

48. Oh, I know what you mean

I just remembered that I met Andy's puppy Ballot also. Did you? Such a cute puppy!

[yewberry]

52. Ooh, the baby rat terrier.

I saw him and wanted desperately to give him a big rub-down.

I figured that his little life is probably confusing enough right now, and left the idea alone.

But part of me regrets it.

[SeattleGirl]

55. He's a sweet little thing

Someone else was holding him, but he kept sticking his paws out and patting my hands. Then he would nip at my fingers. I'll bet he gave Andy more than a few smiles!

[troubleinwinter]

86. Here is Ballot!

[hiley]

33. Thank you so for writing all of this

for us..
I can picture the service now and feel all of the love.
Andy is so missed.
Hiley

[EFerrari]

36. Thank you for posting this after your long day. It means

a great deal to me.

Beth

[housewolf]

38. Thank you...

I've been thinking about Andy and his service all. Thank you for making it real for me.

[tandot]

39. A heartfelt thanks, Tofunut!

Thanks for having been there.

Andy was loved by so many people.I didn't really know him. Just from his posts, but I've never meet him.

I gave a tiny bit for his treatment (very, very little). I trusted him and never had any doubts that he really was in need. I am so sorry that we couldn't help him.

He is in my thoughts every single day. When my day comes, I wish that as many people would think about me...but I haven't done as nearly as much as Andy...

Thanks, Andy
:patriot:

[bobbieinok]

42. thank you for this post.....thank you to those who also were there

is there an estimate of how many were there?? how many from out of town??

[SeattleGirl]

51. I would say at least 200, maybe more

I counted chairs (okay, sometimes I'm weird, but I did want to know how many people were there). There were 154 chairs, I believe, in the original set-up, but more chairs were brought in to the back of the room where people also sat, and there were a number of people standing also during the service. As to how many were from out of town, I really don't know beyond 2 for certain. Maybe someone else who was there knows.

Another thing I just remembered. They had two guest books, one for Ted and one for Andy's mom, so they could each have a book of names of those of us who were able to come. That was a very thoughtful thing.

[Booster]

43. Thank you, Tofunut. You should post more often because this is

a very well written explanation of the service. Those of us who couldn't be there now know we really missed something.

[helderheid]

44. Andy, I met with Kathy Dopp today

and he handed a letter she worked on all night to Dean today. Your work goes on. God bless you - I love you! You live on my friend.

[Donailin]

45. It still hasn't entirely sunk into my brain that Andy has died

I did not personally know him, but followed his ordeal from day one and offered support in all ways I was able to. And what disturbs me most is that I saw it coming to this because the first time he said "pancreas" my heart sank. I had spent much of January reading up on GI cancers in an effort to self diagnose my own odd ails and pains.
Despite that, I focused all positive energies I could offer towards his disease and to mentally and spiritually fight it with him. And he did fight, and he didn't want to die and he was taken too soon. And all we have are memories of this remarkable man.

But maybe he's still fighting where he is now and maybe he's more effective now than ever. Maybe he's the one delivering all our personal hopes and wishes and desires for what is good and just to the One who is good and just. Maybe the series of events this past week where we finally see a glimmer of hope is because Andy is now fighting with his whole soul having no physical body to keep him down. I choose to ask Andy to deliver our prayers, to keep on fighting the good fight. Thank you Andy. Just thank you.

[SoCalDem]

70. The ultimate freeper irony would be

For Andy to be "up there", (if you believe in heaven) busily convincing the entity in charge that electronic machines are really the only way to go, and HE,Andy woould be happy to program them (as a special favor)...:evilgrin:.. let's see who asks for a hand recount when freeps start showing up and seeing that they did not get enough "votes":)

Rest in Peace Andy...

[progressivebydesign]

49. Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry I missed it.

I had hoped to go, as I'm less than an hour away, but could not get away. Sounded very beautiful. I"m still in shock that he is gone. RIP Andy.

[rumpel]

50. Thanks for posting this.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

53. Thank you, tofunut

[KT2000]

56. Very nice synopsis

and thank you for writing it. Have been checking all afternoon to hear about the service so I appreciate very much that you posted this.

[yewberry]

57. Hey, all. I posted and walked away for awhile.

Thank you all so much for your kindness.

Really.

There were lots of people there today and I'm hoping that they will fill in the inevitable lapses and share their impressions, too.

And now I shall have a glass of wine.

[Stephanie]

58. Have two.

xx
S

[yewberry]

59. Actually, I'm looking at three now.

Thanks much for your support and thoughts.

xo
Rachel

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

60. Thanks for sharing this to you and seattle girl

[Bozita]

61. Thank you, Tofunut

[Generic Other]

62. I just got home from the after memorial gathering

Tofunut's description of the memorial was right on. A beautiful summary of events.

I got to pet Ballot who is just about the cutest puppy ever.

I also met Ted and Andy's mom who is a dear sweet lady. She seemed genuinely surprised at how many friends Andy had across the country.

After the memorial, we went to a really classy bar at the Sorrento Hotel. Who knows, some may still be there...

DUers I met tonight: Goodboy (who played piano so beautifully), Tavalon, GOPisEvil, WillPitt, VelmaD, Aliengirl, Suffragette, IdaBriggs, Satya, Yvr, Claudia Jean and many other friends of Andy.

Someone else will have to fill in the names of others I missed.

I took some photos, but it seems the more I drank, the more blurry everything got. I will post ASAP, but others may have better shots than I managed.

One thing everyone seemed to agree on: Andy would have been pleased at how often the phrase "verified paper ballots" was mentioned at the memorial today.

Tears and smiles. Hugs to all who so wanted to attend.

[SeattleGirl]

63. I was there too

but not sure if we got to meet. I did meet several DUers, thoough, which was really nice. Did not get to go to the Sorrento, though, but hope you all had a nice time.

[PittLib]

64. Thank you ...

My heart still breaks over this. I never knew Andy personally like many if you - but his infectious passion drew me in. I can only hope that we can take a piece of him and his fighting spirit and continue on for what we know is right. It is our hearts that lead us - though perhaps we need a little courage sometimes. I'll always remember Andy and allow him to be my courage when I need it, and I need it a lot. I will be eternally grateful for his inspiration. Thank you for being there and sharing with us.

[applegrove]

65. Thank you - Andy!

[xxqqqzme]

66. thank you, thank you

for writing; for being there for all of us who couldn't. I so wanted someone to tell us of the service. I was thinking of Andy all day and your report has lightened my spirit.

[satya]

67. Great description, tofunut. I was there too; the room was full of DU love.

I agree with SeattleGirl--it did feel like there were a lot more of us there than you could see. Some of you who were not there physically were still part of the service (you know who you are O8) ), through the sharing of stories of your kindness to Andy and Ted and how you touched their lives. There was so much love and gratitude spilling out of that room.

During the photo montage, the laptop froze up or something. So for a little bit, there was Andy's picture staring right at us as if to say he's watching over us and we'd better make him proud. And a reminder that machines are not infallible. ;-) Thanks to the person(s) who put together the wonderful montage--it really helped to tell the story of Andy's life.

The music was so very moving; at least one DUer was responsible for that and I thank him, especially for sharing his original composition. I'm very much a believer in the power of sound to heal and change the world, and the music was a fitting tribute to Andy's spirit.

I never had the opportunity to meet Andy, but through him I've met so many other wonderful people. Andy continues to touch the lives of people who never had the chance to meet him. One woman working at the Hall said after the service that she felt almost as if she knew him now and that he must have been a very special person.

:grouphug:

[yewberry]

76. The music was wonderful and I forgot to include

the lovely performance of "What a Wonderful World" (made famous by Satchmo) and the original composition during the montage.

The music was a really important part of the day, and I'd like to thank those people who made it happen. (I'm not sure, still, if I should name names.)

Thanks, satya, and back at you.


:hug:

[ngGale]

68. Andy was very special indeed ....

although I never knew him either. I'm sure his parent's were so proud and pleased that he had so many friends all across this country.

Rest well, Andy. O8)

:grouphug:

[Robbie Michaels]

71. Thank You For Sharing This

Now we have to work on bringing him peace. We've got work to do.

[Peace Patriot]

72. tofunut, your posting this at DU is one of the greatest tributes you

could have made for Andy Stephenson! This is where Andy inspired people, and where so many people came to know him--especially at the DU 2004 Election Results and Discussion forum! I think he would have loved this--your including us all in this way! Thanks so much!

[sonias]

73. thank you tofunut

And I'm sure Andy thanks you too. He's still with us in all of our hearts.

Sonia

[SmokingJacket]

74. It sounds perfect and beautiful.

Andy was so well loved.

[Misunderestimator]

75. Thank you so much for that wonderful account.

[Daphne08]

77. Thank you.

[KaryninMiami]

78. Thank you - I too was waiting for news.

It's all still sort of like a dream. One minute he was here (laughing through his pain about Rove being "the source"), then next he wasn't. There's a lesson here about making the most of every moment (because we never really know what is just around the corner), about treasuring those that you love and about living from one's heart, as we all know was one of Andy's most majestic qualities.

Thank you for posting this and thanks to all of you who have continued to share your experiences about the day. I felt terrible about not being able to attend, but due to a recent surgery, I am not yet able to fly.

Regardless of how many filled chairs were physically in the town hall yesterday, hundreds more were there in spirit, as was Andy who I'm sure was watching and sending love from wherever he is.

[blm]

79. A tender recounting much appreciated.

Thank you, tofunut.

[GalleryGod]

80. Well Said. Well Done. Many Thanks!

Kick-it:kick: :kick: :kick:

[GOPisEvil]

81. That was a good description of the events.

Afterward, there was a gathering a nearby hotel bar where many, MANY toasts to Andy were offered.

It was an emotionally draining, yet very fulfilling day.

To all my new friends, it was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope to see you again soon.

[yewberry]

84. Thanks much.

I really did want to stick around and meet people, but:

a) I thought my husband needed a ride home from work (which he didn't, and even I had known that)

b) I'm a big, shy dufus.

Hope you enjoy the beautiful day today.

[BornaDem]

82. Thank you!

I know very little about the man or what went on here as I have not been here all that long and I guess I just didn't read the posts about him once he was sick because I didn't recognize the name. I appreciate your report which gives me a little more insight into who he was. Again, thank you.

[woofless]

83. What a super afternoon..

As has been said many times, we DUers could feel all of you at our sides. The community is real. The love is real. The commitment is real. So sorry I was unable to attend the afters. I had to drive back north. One day I hope we can get together again and celebrate real victory. Hello to all whom I met yesterday. Anyone would be proud to be in such company.

Woof

[shireen]

85. thank you so much

I wish I could have been there. Rachel, your account was the next best thing. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

[Janice325]

87. tofunut, thanks for the beautiful account.

Many of us were there with ya'll in spirit.
That was such a moving account of Andy's service that it brought tears to my eyes. It make me feel like there's hope...but I digress.
Andy will be missed, but his work will go on.
Thank you again. {{{hugs tofunut}}}

[claudiajean]

88. I'd like to explain the "ashtrays"...

They were actually cut glass nut and raisin dishes that we didn't want to lose track of in the huge backrooms of the hall, so before guests began arriving, as a part of our pre-set, we staged them out on the tables where the refreshments would be placed after the service so they would be easy to fill.

At about 3:30, we put out little packages of nuts and dried fruit in these dishes. They were rapidly vacuumed up by the (apparently starving) mourners.

Just didn't want anyone to think I planned a weird memorial.

:hi:

[yewberry]

89. Thanks for the explanation and the laugh

I was baffled by them.

And you planned a wonderful memorial. Thank you.

[claudiajean]

90. Thank you for coming

Ted had some idea of how far-reaching Andy's circle of friends was, but Dorothy (his mom) and family from Texas was floored. The turnout made Dorothy terribly proud.

The count on guests was a bit liquid, as some came early, but had to leave after the main eulogies, and some came late, but the toal of persons who passed through the doors was 276, unless I missed someone. I was hovering in the memories foyer most of the service, counting people, watching for the trouble we had all feared, but which blessedly did not come to pass, and refining my eulogy.

[yewberry]

91. Oh, gosh, thanks for that.

To be honest, I had a lot of trouble deciding if I should attend or not. I was afraid that it might be a bit of an invasion of private grief.

In the end, I hoped that attending might illustrate how many people cared about Andy and had been touched by his life.

Thank you thank you thank you

[claudiajean]

97. We had definitely hoped that many of his friends could stop by

I am very grateful to everyone who came, and those who were with us in spirit. I think the size of the turnout and the joy we found in recounting our memories of him would have left Andy speechless.

When he was having a fit of the blues, he often said to me, "Who am I? I'm just a nobody." I would reassure him that he wasn't a nobody, but he had moments during which he did not believe his own worth.

Andy would have been hard pressed to have looked out at that group, a group that ranged from local non-political friends and neighbors, to DUer's, to activists, to elected officials, to his beloved family, and not known that he was, indeed, somebody.

***

It was just delightful that we could meet so many DUer's who had only been screen names before. As moving as the service itself was, I think our social butterfly Andy would have reveled in the after service mingling.

I'm sad that you and SeattleGirl weren't able to come to the Sorrento. It was very comforting to be able to get to know each other in small groups and put some faces to all the screen names we know so well. Antoher event that Andy's would have loved.

[SeattleGirl]

92. I'll second that

It reallly was wonderful. Thank you for all you did.

[Laurab]

93. Thank you.

It sounds like a beautiful celebration of Andy's life. I didn't know Andy, either, except from his posts, and the posts about his illness, but he touched my life just through that, and I too will miss him.

"I don't know remember losing track of you,
you were always dancing in and out of view,
I must have thought you'd always be around...

I don't know what happens when people die,
can't seem to grasp it, hard as I try,
it's like a song I can hear playing right in my ear
that I can't sing - I can't help listening.

And I can't help feeling stupid standing 'round,
crying as they ease you down,
cause I know that you'd rather we were dancing
dancing our sorrows away."

(Jackson Browne "For a Dancer")

[GetTheRightVote]

94. Thank you for posting, it sounded nice for a funeral, Will P. words nice

were cool as well........ hard to believe Andy is gone, hmmmm.

:kick:

[Arugula Latte]

95. Thanks for this account.

Here's to Andy: :toast:

[Debbi801]

96. Thank you so much for posting this...

It sounds beautiful. I was sad that I couldn't be there. I am glad so many from Du were able to make it.

:hug:
Debbi

[mzmolly]

98. Thanks for bringing us all closer in spirit.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . .hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
Where there is sadness . . .joy
Divine Master,
grant that i may not so much seek
To be consoled . . .as to console
To be understood . . .as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . .that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . .that we are born to eternal life

~ St Francis

[savannahana]

99. thanks so much, tofunut, SeattleGirl, and all who've posted here

so many of us "kept" yesterday for love of Andy and in his honor, and we would have been there if we could've been.

your beautiful, clear descriptions are their own generous tribute; and a great comfort to all of DU. as i am sure they are to many of his friends and supporters, personal and political, American and beyond; and especially to Ted and to Andy's mother, sisters, and extended family.

:grouphug:

:loveya: Andy, who gave us joy and taught us what NGU really means :loveya:

[karlrschneider]

100. Thanks.

Much.

[Henny Penny]

101. thank you.

[nicknameless]

102. Thank you so much for sharing this.

I'm still in shock and can't believe he's gone.

What a cosmic injustice. Someone so full of passion and purpose. Someone so deeply loved by so many. Someone who wanted so desperately to live. Someone with so many angels who fought so hard for him.

As American citizens, we're too familiar with injustice. Couldn't the cosmos have dealt more fairly. ...still raging against the dying of his light. :cry:

Sorry to be a downer. I'm just way not over this.

[Sparkly]

103. It sounds moving and beautiful and perfectly fitting.

Thank you for sharing that. No doubt you and others here have helped his family know how much he was loved and valued. :hug:

[goodboy]

104. kick...

[LisaM]

105. The service was very touching and I got to meet a few DUers

IdaBriggs, Seattle Girl, YVR Girl, GOPisEvil, Velma, Will Pitt, and some others whose screen names I didn't catch. I felt a little off the whole time - like I was moving in a dream because it didn't seem that it could be happening.

The music was very beautiful and goodboy did a really great job vamping through the slide show, which got stuck a couple of times.

I went with a friend who is NOT on DU and knew Andy separately through vote fraud work, which was nice.

Both eulogies were excellent, and people told lots of funny stories about Andy essentially pestering them into being his friends - for which they consequently reaped vast rewards.

I was too shy to introduce myself to Ted and Andy's mom, but I did meet Ballot, who was adorable and being pampered.

I kept thinking, all through, of the Phil Ochs' song "When I'm Gone" - Andy's activism exemplified that song so perfectly.


And I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone
And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone
Can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here