A Eulogy for Richard D. Crosby, III
Monday, July 28, 2008
Ft. Myer Chapel, Arlington, Virginia
[Presented with love, fond memories and humor by Michael P. Crosby]
Thank you all for allowing me to share a few words and thoughts with you today.
Mark Twain once said, “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Could it be those who don’t fear death, do not fear because they know a better life lies ahead on the other side? Death is a natural cycle of live, yet it can be so heart-wrenchingly devastating, when you loose someone you love.
A Native American View On Life and Death is appropriate to present as we reflect on my Brother’s life -
"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home"~ Chief Tecumseh (Shawnee Nation 1768-1813)
Ancient Egyptians believed that upon death they would be asked two questions and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife.
The first question was, "Did you bring joy?" The second was, "Did you find joy?"
My Bother, Ric, did indeed both bring joy and found joy in life. So it is appropriate that I quote from the great philosopher of life, Monty Python, regarding life.
“Some things in life are bad. They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you're chewing on life's gristle. Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best ...
Always look on the bright side of life ...Always look on the bright side of life.
If life seems jolly rotten. There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing
When you're feeling in the dumps. Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle, that's the thing.
Always look on the bright side of life ...Always look on the bright side of life.
For life is quite absurd. And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow
Forget about your sin. Give the audience a grin
Enjoy it, it's your last chance anyhow.”
Of course, Monty Python logically leads us to Albert Einstein who said that –
“Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.”
Indeed, What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. It is so important to love without conditions and to be thankful for all the beautiful people we are blessed with in our lives. Make everyday count, with the people who really matter in your life.
I would now like to close with an old Irish Funeral Prayer -
“Death is nothing at all. It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room. Everything remains as it was.
The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort.
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again.”