Something Beautiful Remains

Something Beautiful Remains

by Martha Vashti Pearson

 The tide recedes, but leaves behind

Bright seashells on the sand.

The sun goes down but gentle warmth

Still lingers on the land.

The music stops and yet it lingers on

In sweet refrain.

For every joy that passes

Something beautiful remains.

Thanksgiving and loss

Thanksgiving today and also the one year anniversary of Paul Cusack. He was an old school friend of mine and we connected both on and offline in latter years. It still strikes me every now and then (esp. When I'm behaving all 'woe is me') how short life is. Very recently I got robbed of a substantial amount of money and my laptop. While I know I am lucky that I wasn't harmed or worse, it still stung. I was extremely low for a week or so. Comments from people saying how sad I looked and my sparkle was gone, didn't do much to help but thankfully I did pull myself out of it and that I can do that because I can only imagine how difficult that must be for someone with depression. However it is times like today when it hits home that Paul, the same age as me when he died, was taken from this life too early. Why? What's the purpose? Why give him life for 30 years for it to be taken so suddenly? These and a million more questions are asked every day again and again by brothers, sister, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and friends.

While losing someone brings up a million questions I feel that Paul's anniversary falling on such a prominent day answers at least one question for me - give thanks EVERY day that you get to spend it with the people you love and don't waste time arguing or wondering or ignoring people you care about. If you love them, show it and give thanks that you can.

Michael Collins Funeral

"I nDíl-Cúimne ar Mícheál Ó Coileáin a fuir bás í Bean-na-mBlat an 22ad la de mí Lugnasa 1922"

 (In memory of Michael Collins who died at Beal na mBlath on 22nd August 1922)

Michael Collins 16 October 1890 – 22 August 1922) 

An Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance and Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations.

He also became President of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and, therefore, under the bylaws of the Brotherhood, President of the Irish Republic.

Collins was assassinated in August 1922 during the Irish Civil War at an ambush of his journey returning from Bandon, the village of Béal na Bláth. Collins's men brought his body back to Cork where it was then shipped to Dublin. His funeral mass took place at Dublin's Pro Cathedral (St Mary's) with approx 500,000 people (one fifth of the country's population) attended his funeral.

 "In my opinion it gives us freedom, not the ultimate freedom that all nations desire 

... but the freedom to achieve it."

Michael Collins on the Treaty in debates.

Princess Diana, 1961 - 1997

Princess Diana, 1961 - 1997 

“She is a part of our history, an incredible woman and fascinating but a tragic ending,” Naomi Watts who will be portraying the Princess in an upcoming biopic film - "Caught in Flight", which is directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, and due in cinemas in February 2013.

Today is Diana's 15th anniversary of her death and while her short life came to an abrupt end with a drunken driver, no seat belt and a paparazzi chase, her name is still remembered fondly worldwide as England's Rose and her legacy lives on.

There are some pieces of the funeral service that are often forgotten or maybe not as widely known. Her brother for example wrote his sister's eulogy himself and it was not shown to the royal family in advance of his public reading of it. He spoke from the heart, paid tribute to his sister but also put a slight dent in the Royal family's armor. He promised to protect the two princes, William and Harry, from the cold duty of the Palace so that they, like their mother would be able to live a life of their own. Then for the first time since 1065 in Westminster Abbey, applause erupted and was followed into Hyde Park where thousands celebrated.

By publicly holding the hand of someone with the Aids virus in the 80's, Diana did more to remove the distance and coldness that permeated from the Royal family than anyone had before or has since.

It was Diana who insisted the boys had a life outside the Palace walls and the impact on William today is clear as he stands with his wife Kate whom he clearly married for love. But determined to do his duty, he seems to follow in his mother's footsteps and will not expense of his private life or the love of his life to the role.

Even Prince Harry with his latest Las Vegas adventures showcase a young man who although a Prince, is a young man enjoying life and after being photographed topless in Spain, I'm sure the Princess could relate with him on intrusive media!

And this is where Diana's legacy still stands. No statue has been erected in her honor but her charity work, her efforts to humanize the royal family and most importantly her sons will survive longer and do more to warm hearts than any cold hardened statue ever could.

Diana's Burial place, Althorp, the Spencer-family estate in Northhampshire, England

A funeral named Suicide

With recent death of Gary Speed at the weekend, the online and offline media world has been dissecting every part of his life and death. It was announced by the Football Association of Wales that Gary Speed hung himself on November 27th 2011. 


When someone we love takes their own life, it can be so painful for those left behind as they focus on why and how they could have changed the course of events if only they had known. Grief, guilt and anger are emotions that will play a huge part in the days, weeks and months following the death.


The funeral should focus on understanding and empathizing the family’s grief and refrain from rationalization and explanation. The family of a suicide fatality needs comfort. Arrange for loved ones to share good memories about his/her life. Humorous stories are appropriate as they will lift the mood, if even momentarily. If possible, have them write out their comments, as this will prevent any inappropriateness, however unintended, that may cause additional hurt or pain to the family.


It is also important to note that people from different cultural backgrounds are likely to have different ideas about where a person should be buried or where the remains of a dead person should be scattered. If in doubt, contact your local undertaker, church, society or us at Farewell Funeral Planners.