remembering so that we never forget

Today is what every person who lives in Michigan dreams of -- a cool sunny day, leaves bursting in yellow, orange, and red against a cornflower blue sky. It's appropriate that everything about today is pregnant with a feeling of beauty -- a sort of casual perfection -- as it is the day that Craig Alguire was memorialized. His service, so large that it was held at the Meijer Gardens, every seat occupied with lines of additional people covering each inch of the perimeter walls, was a celebration of a person that if represented by the any day -- it would be like it is just now.

The speeches given bravely by those who loved him so dearly, with such deep respect and regard, had the entire room in tears and in laughter. The impossibility that someone so amazingly full of life and all the good to be had in it is no longer on this earth seems unfathomable. Words used to capture his essence; fiercely intelligent, witty, dry, warm, loving, devoted, accomplished in his every pursuit, still left so many more words floating across my mind. What was crystal clear in this moment of remembering was how deeply he was loved, respected, and will be missed.

Sitting in my chair, listening to the words spoken of Craig, I cried. I cried for the love story of Craig and Stacey cut short. I cried for the moments ahead he will miss with his kids. I cried at the memory of the Alguire family sitting ahead of us in church, his parents forever missing their son -- his sisters's their little brother. I cried because this person did such good in the world, lived life so fully, and gave so much of himself to those around him and now he was gone.

I also thought of the strongest message that was repeated time after time -- he lived his life fully. He gave his all to every endeavor he pursued. I would love to live by that notion and I silently whispered to myself that even if I haven't done that up until now -- I still had time ahead of me to put this into action. I was filled with hope and inspiration. I didn't know Craig well -- I wish I had known them both better -- but I embrace and am grateful for the message he gave to each and everyone one of us -- live each day to its fullest with grace, humor, patience, and kindness. Rest in peace, Craig.