young people
Yesterday was the cremation of Gerard. And after that I just had no energy to write at all. After crying my eyes out during the ceremony and after (more on that below), it took all the will power I had for the two hour drive back. At home I just collapsed. There was nothing left of me it seemed.
Both kitten and I were stumped, empty, and completely shattered by grief. We were either crying together of one of us was consoling the other. Live really is so unfair.
The ceremony preceding the cremation was organised by his friends. All young people, all around 17, 18 years of age. If ever anybody says anything bad about 'the youth of nowadays' will have to answer to me. They came and stayed with him during the last hours of his life. And yesterday they gave him a farewell that I will always remember and cherish. Their music, their words, their way of life. They had used his favourite music, pictures and photo's taken with him as their clan and make a CD from it and passed those out to all people there.
After the cremation most of them did not want to be in the room with the dreaded coffee and sandwiches. It was a beatiful sunny day and we sat outside and talked about Gerard, his plans, his wild ideas, how many backfired and more importantly how many became a big success.
Those people showed me more of my Son that I could imagine. As a dad I cannot express how proud I am of Gerard and what he has accomplished as a person, a social being.
To those young people I can only say that they have made a dad proud. And if they ever read this, my house will always be open to you all. I cherish, respect and salute the proud way that you all stand in life