This eulogy was written and delivered jointly by Terry and Barbara's two children Renee and Dylan
Tribute to Dad
Over the years, we’ve watched Dad deliver beautiful eulogies for people very close to his heart. On some occasions, those people asked Dad, before they passed away, if he would speak at their funerals. Dad always had a way with words, and knew exactly what to say.
So what would Dad say to us today? We think he’d say. “It’s OK to be sad, but not for too long”. He would remind us that there is much more laughing, dancing, cooking, joking, eating, talking, thinking and loving to be done. Not to mention learning a new song, singing a new tune, modifying a new gadget, fixing something that’s broken or simply being still and peaceful. He also liked to say that we all had our own special brand of madness and that we should never hide it.
He would also remind us that we all have a window through which we see the world, and that window is ours to understand. Dad spent a lot of time working on his window, so he could better understand the world, and how he saw it. He cleaned the glass, and removed the blinds. He widened the view by putting in more glass. He had no locks, bolts or chains.
In times when we could not see clearly through our own windows, Dad would take us to his and let us see another point of view. We could see for miles, almost see around corners. The colours were bright and crisp. We are sure that Dad has also helped you to understand your window.
So, what else would he say to us today? We think he would give us all some homework, and ask us to work on our windows by questioning, thinking and challenging. Do we need those blinds? Can I take away that lock? How can I better see into that corner of the world that is fuzzy and grey?
So let’s pledge to each other today that we will take everything Dad has taught us and turn it into a never-ending window. We will look through that window and into the world without judgment or prejudice but with compassion, curiosity, tolerance, acceptance and a good dose of mischief. And in time, the window will become so clear, that one day it will fly open, to set you, and your special brand of madness free.