David Davis, May 19, 1932 - April 13, 2006
It's been a crazy couple of days. I managed to move my politics final to Tuesday, and think that I managed to do ok. Then on Wednesday morning I wrote my qualitative methods final, which didn't go so great. After that, Kris and I drove back to Barrie and I picked up Connolly and Denis and we headed out to Horseshoe for David's service. We met up with Kyle Brown, BQ, and Lighthall, and I was proud of all my boys for cleaning up so nicely. Not that they are all thugs or something, they were just looking especially sharp. The service was really, really nice. I was really glad that we were there to support Brandon, even though he was managing to put up a better front than all of us. It was great to hear some of the stories about David from friends that he's had for 30 + years. It really made me think about how easy it has become in our time to let friends go and never think much of it. It was strange though. Because when I am around that group (288), I feel like I'm back with my friends, and once we start with all the "remember when..." stories, I feel it even more so. But then Connolly or Colleen will bring up Korea and how much they want to go back, and I realize how different my life is from theirs. There are so many times when I want to be 22 and moshing in Brandon's bedroom, or watching WWF with Connolly, or dancing to the 80's with Emily.... but I guess I've grown up now and my life has gone in another direction. Not that I've grown out of doing those things or anything like that, my life has just become something else and it's hard to explain. I don't want to make it seem like I'm disappointed with how things are now, I guess I just miss that point in my life when all my friends had the same agenda and we were all growing up together. I just don't want to end up growing up in different directions and not having those friends for 30 + years like David did. Anyway, back to the service.... Brandon read Mary Frye's do not stand at my grave and weep, which was written the same year David was born. I was really proud of him for doing such a great job. After the service we went up to Brandon and Val's house and hung out rather oddly with Brandon's family. They all seemed to take off around the same time, and I made my way back and forth from the deck where Brandon, Colleen, and Connolly sat, to the back porch where Val and Dennis were hanging out. There are a thousand memories for everyone in that house, and we all got to share our own stories. David and Val were the coolest parents, and parents they were to all of Brandon's friends. When I was sneaking out of my house to hit up shows in Buffalo with Brandon, David and Val were giving us their car and telling us to have fun. One time when Brandon and I were using David's truck to move me from Penetang to Barrie, the two of us rolled in around 10am after a night of Promenade and Brandon being thrown in the drunk tank. Not knowing Brandon's parents all that well at the time, I pleaded with him not to tell them until after we had used the truck. However, not two seconds in the door, Brandon annouces he spent the night in jail and David and Val respond by breaking into laughter. When Brandon came home from Korea the first time (or maybe the second?), he proudly showed off the hookah he'd bought and instead of raising a concerned eyebrow like most parents would, Val and David just asked him to show them how to put it together. Those are some of my memories of David, and I am happy to have them. I am also happy that I got to see David a couple of weeks ago, one last time. I am wishing all the best to both Brandon and Val...
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!