Griffen Parr O'Brien
So, Griffen Parr O'Brien died of natural causes on september 11, 2006. His brother Baxter had been down at our house only the day before, though it had been quite some time since I'd last seen Griffen. I pretty much skipped all my classes for the rest of the week to stay home and be with Jeff and Audrey and everyone, and bake, and cope, etc.
When we found out (we = Audrey), we decided to tell everyone in person. We called Jeff and Romeo and Justin out of class, and Mike Clark. We tried to get Blue to leave class, but she didn't believe us about how serious it was. That was kind of a kick in the pants. I hate not being trusted. Anyway, we all agreed that we should go tell Graham in person, since he's really only an hour or so away. After Rugby and stuff we went to Newport News to tell Graham, and I'm really glad that we did. It was right that we were all together and supporting each other, and the guys bought rounds in Griffen's honor.
Sunday was the viewing, and we all met at Adam's Green Funeral Home. There were four rooms of pictures and collages, and there was a CD playing of bad spinning of Griffen's. You could tell that the body had once been Griffen's, but it was obvious that he'd left it. For a bit I expected him to just start breathing and laugh about how horrible his makeup looked. But alas, it didn't happen. However, we did spend hours laughing and telling stories, and looking at pictures. Afterwards, we went to dinner at Chipotle, and then went over the Koca's basement so that those who wanted to drink their sorrow away could, and those of us who just wanted to kill some time playing lan games also could.
The funeral was beautiful. I'm glad that we arrived early enough to get seats. There were a bunch of people who had to stand in the hallway, because the place was just so packed. Griffen's uncle MCed (Master of Celebration), and his cousins spoke. Catherine was amazing. She was able to joke and talk about Griffen in the way that I think he would have liked. He had spent so many hours talking to him about everything, that I know she felt confident that he would want us to be happy. She joked about how they were never on time to anything-and how she was late to his funeral. After that I laughed crying, and realized that the reason I still can't believe he is gone is that he is just so alive in all of us. A room filled with people who can laugh at a version of Amazing Grace - Remixed in honor of Griffen's love of remixes. The funeral procession was the largest I've ever seen. The parking lot was packed, plus some. The people who had to wait for us to pass were seriously getting ticked off that it was taking so long :)
Jeff and I played techno really loud with the bass all the way up and the windows down on our way to the cemetary. We think he would have liked it. There were bagpipes at the cemetary, and Griffen's girlfriend Jen spoke. I think it was just so beautiful the way everyone came together, and the way Mrs. O'Brien and Catherine and Jen could all walk together arm-in-arm to celebrate him.
I don't feel like I need to just cry until I can't anymore. Besides, that would have made him unhappy. He was amazing, and I truly believe that he will live in our memories.
When we found out (we = Audrey), we decided to tell everyone in person. We called Jeff and Romeo and Justin out of class, and Mike Clark. We tried to get Blue to leave class, but she didn't believe us about how serious it was. That was kind of a kick in the pants. I hate not being trusted. Anyway, we all agreed that we should go tell Graham in person, since he's really only an hour or so away. After Rugby and stuff we went to Newport News to tell Graham, and I'm really glad that we did. It was right that we were all together and supporting each other, and the guys bought rounds in Griffen's honor.
Sunday was the viewing, and we all met at Adam's Green Funeral Home. There were four rooms of pictures and collages, and there was a CD playing of bad spinning of Griffen's. You could tell that the body had once been Griffen's, but it was obvious that he'd left it. For a bit I expected him to just start breathing and laugh about how horrible his makeup looked. But alas, it didn't happen. However, we did spend hours laughing and telling stories, and looking at pictures. Afterwards, we went to dinner at Chipotle, and then went over the Koca's basement so that those who wanted to drink their sorrow away could, and those of us who just wanted to kill some time playing lan games also could.
The funeral was beautiful. I'm glad that we arrived early enough to get seats. There were a bunch of people who had to stand in the hallway, because the place was just so packed. Griffen's uncle MCed (Master of Celebration), and his cousins spoke. Catherine was amazing. She was able to joke and talk about Griffen in the way that I think he would have liked. He had spent so many hours talking to him about everything, that I know she felt confident that he would want us to be happy. She joked about how they were never on time to anything-and how she was late to his funeral. After that I laughed crying, and realized that the reason I still can't believe he is gone is that he is just so alive in all of us. A room filled with people who can laugh at a version of Amazing Grace - Remixed in honor of Griffen's love of remixes. The funeral procession was the largest I've ever seen. The parking lot was packed, plus some. The people who had to wait for us to pass were seriously getting ticked off that it was taking so long :)
Jeff and I played techno really loud with the bass all the way up and the windows down on our way to the cemetary. We think he would have liked it. There were bagpipes at the cemetary, and Griffen's girlfriend Jen spoke. I think it was just so beautiful the way everyone came together, and the way Mrs. O'Brien and Catherine and Jen could all walk together arm-in-arm to celebrate him.
I don't feel like I need to just cry until I can't anymore. Besides, that would have made him unhappy. He was amazing, and I truly believe that he will live in our memories.