A fine send off.

Today was Mark's memorial service... and it was a wonderful affair: We arrived over an hour early to help set things up, and by a half-hour prior to the service, the chapel had already filled up and people were relegated to waiting outside. There were hundreds of well wishers... Mark was so well liked in the world. The chapel was small, and done is a glorious mosaic on all surfaces - a true jewelbox in the city.

The service itself was perhaps the best I've ever seen: everything in it was a tribute to Mark - the pastor worked with the family on an appropriate sermon, and a lot of time was given to friends and family to stand and remember Mark. One of his best friends from age 16, Joe, gave a lengthy and incredible overview of Mark's life, which left us all laughing and crying at the same time: He truly captured it.

Mark's friend Gene read us poetry Mark wrote when he was 10, and outlined some of the crazier inventions and movie ideas they had imagined... a fitting tribute to his wit and humor. Mark's eldest daughter shared two of his old jokes: "You can't spell Funeral without FUN!!!", and his habit of whenever hearing someone blow their nose loudly, to say "Mmmm, makes me hungry for a cheeseburger". Mark's dad stood up to tell a little about the philosophical side of Mark, about the seeker who read obsessively about religion and the meaning of existence...

In all the service really captured so much of Mark - the clown and jokester, but even more the wonderful father and friend he was. Joe said it best when he made an analogy that a conversation with Mark was like jazz - you'd riff, and he's riff right back, and you'd feel like you were creating something unique and musical with your conversation, and all the while, you're both appreciating the moment... Mark was truly gifted.

Afterward, we went to the graveside, a nice spot by the lake under a tree, and a gentle rain fell. Then it was off to the family home for the reception, and lots and lots of stories. Everyone just made their way around and traded their favorite Mark stories. We wound up staying good and late, but left just a few minutes after my megamix (4.5 hours) completed.

Wednesday, we're having a candlelight vigil, where we're walking from near Mark's house to the place he was found... it looks like a lot of people are coming together for this one.

But perhaps most importantly, we're looking at this weekend and into next week. Once the family starts to go home, and the noise settles down, that family is going to need a lot of support. And I want to be able to give it.