Putting the F-U-N in funeral.

[SwampYankee]

Well not really. Overall it was $h!tty as you'd expect. But the memorial/life celebration afterwards was in a word, humbling.

The sheer number of people this "kid" touched at the age of 29 was amazing. By the time we finally got to the funeral home at about 3 (ran noon-4) 250 people/couples had signed the book and the vast majority of those just aren't the signing type and didn't. There were pictures of him everywhere with friends and family, some band promo artwork he had done and various tatoo inspirations. His music and his musical inspiration played in the background. He was laid to rest with his brass knuckles, a G.I. Joe and firefighter helmet.

Afterwards there was a reception in the field house at Humbolt Park. Most of the crowd had musical talent, and a tremendous amount of it, and each took a turn playing a song or two with speeches/tributes/toasts by his friends intermingled. I've never been to a proverbial Irish wake, I'd have to think that this was pretty comparable. Towards the end everyone went outside and they started up a New Orleans-esque funeral procession, complete with drummer and brass, around the park and through the kickball fields.

My wife, brother, parents and I were the only ones there without visible ink (and most of them there had enough to go around) or Saints & Sinners MC club jackets. The Country Outlaw/Rockabilly movement is alive and well in Chicago. It's amazing how many had SW and mid-W upbringing and ended up in the big city. Many of them thought nothing of carrying a 6" Buck knife on the belt. I've never met a nicer, more genuine bunch of people in my life. It's no wonder my sister loves it there. She's doing well now, I'm just worried about her once everything quiets back down and normal life returns. A few of her friends from NM are staying with her for a few months to keep an eye on her along with her Chicago circle.

It also turns out that he had been training for the Chicago Marathon in Oct. His plan was to cross the finish line, all gross and sweaty, and pull off his race shirt revealing a t-shirt underneath asking my sister to marry him. On one hand, I'm not sure I needed to know that, OTOH I'm glad I did.

I promise, this is the last downer post from me. It just had such an impact. I hate to hit and run, but I've been scrambling all day to finish up some work stuff. I'm off to Nashville to a few days on business and then I'm off the following week for vacation and not sure I'll get a chance to check in. Have a good Hump Day, Friday, Hump Day and Friday if I don't get back for a bit.