I hate this tie!

I hate this tie. This tie means I'm going to a funeral.

Today was the funeral of a sixteen year old girl who died suddenly in her sleep without any warning or any illness. One of my friends was her father and, somehow, with his wife and son by his side, he gave an amazing tribute to the life of his daughter. I don't know how he did it but it was a wonderful testament to a life cut very cruelly short.

Nobody who attended the memorial, and the church was filled to the rafters, will ever forget his words or the bravery of him and his family. And none of us will forget his daughter.

At the end of the service these words from Desiderata were read out...

"You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy"