[/caption]The thing that struck me the most about yesterday was how people who came would arrive crying and leave laughing. What a fantastic testament to Ellie's life.
Here is a gorgeous e-mail I received from Audra a friend of my brother, Kip. One of the many things I love about this e-mail is how she was thinking of show tunes because I think everyone breaking into song and dance is such an excellent idea.
I have been so touched by your family's life and times through Kip that I wanted to reach out to you.
Trying to find the right words, my confused head immediately drifts toward show tunes (of all things) and one of my favorite lines in any song: "Measure your life in love." Something Ellie had in abundance - love. It is easy to measure by time because we know how long a day is, and we know how long a year is, but love enriches the soul and nourishes the heart in a million tender ways that time has no way to express. And Ellie must have felt that every day from all who loved her.
There is a wonderful book by Wallace Stegner (one of my favorites) called "All The Little Live Things" that has one of the best beginnings and endings of any novel. I have always been struck by the narrator and the message of the story. The main character is upset by the untimely death of a cherished one, and torn up by the fairness of things, and how come, and why, and all the natural questions that come up. And he wonders what's the point of all the feelings and emotions and difficulties that have unraveled. And he realizes the only alternative, the only way to save him from his current pain, would have been to not have her in his life and miss out on all the beautiful wondrous things she did every single day, all the incredible things she shared, all the beauty she found in the world.
His resolution is simple: "I will be richer all my life for this sorrow."
It's one of the only things I have read that has made much sense to me in times like these. To understand we have to have feelings in order to have the capacity for love. Ellie was a remarkable child. Thank you for sharing her life (and love) with us.
I hope each day brings you richness.
Audra
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