IN MEMORIAM

TODAY, OCTOBER 5, 2008.
IT WAS A DRIZZING MORNING. I WENT TO A FUNERAL OF A FRIEND. HIS NAME WAS DEREK. HE WAS 25 YEARS YOUNG.
HE WAS ASLEEP IN HIS BED SOMETIME AFTER 2AM WHEN A MAN WHO ALSO LIVES THERE DROVE INTO THE GARAGE AND SHUT THE DOOR AND DID NOT SHUT THE ENGINE. THREE PEOPLE DIED FROM CARBON MONOXIDE.
THIS WAS LAST SUNDAY. WE USUALLY BURY OUR DEAD WITHIN 2-3 DAYS. BECAUSE THIS WAS ROSH HASHONNA IT WAS DONE TODAY.
THE OUTER ROOM WAS OVERPACKED WITH PEOPLE, SIGNING THE GUEST BOOK, AND JUST STANDING AROUND TALKING. HE WAS A STUDENT AT FAU. {FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY}. THERE WERE LOADS OF BOYS THERE. FINALLY THE MAIN CHAPEL WAS OPENED AND THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE THAN SEATS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. MOST OFTEN WHEN AN ELDERLY PERSON DIES THERE IS JUST A FEW PEOPLE LEFT TO SAY GOODBYE. EVERY BODY WAS INVITED BACK TO THEIR HOME. THERE WAS MASSES OF FOOD. THESE KIDS EAT LIKE VULTURES!, AND ENOUGH TO FILL US ALL UP. DRINKS, WATER, SODA, COFFEE WAS FLOWING FREELY. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY A SHIVA CALL, AND CAN NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING LIKE THIS. USUALLY WHEN A PERSON DIES THEY ARE ELDERLY (HOPEFULLY) AND NOT MANY PEOPLE LEFT TO SAY GOOD-BYE. BUT HERE THEY ALL WERE. STUDENTS, TEACHERS,FRIEND OF ALL THE KIDS. HIS SISTER, HIS BROTHER AND PARENTS. IT IS A TERRIBLE THING TO SEE A YOUNG PERSON GO. HIS SISTER IS 22, HIS BROTHER IS 20. THERE WAS NOT A DRY EYE IN THE CHAPEL. SOME WERE AUDIBLY LOUD. HE WILL BE MISSED FOREVER. GOOD BYE DEREK, REST IN PEACE....SEE YA