Sharing stories

This past weekend we had the memorial service out at camp for my pal Andrew. After undertaking a prank in Andrew's honor, we headed to the lodge for a service of sorts, with songs and a few speakers. Ok, so the songs included 'Little Johnny England' and 'Johnny Rebeck's Machine' instead of hymns, and people were handed stickers of Mr. T as they came in, but it was a service nonetheless, and a touching one.

We then adjourned to a campfire where people got up and shared a favorite Andrew memory and then put a stick on the fire. The stories were sad and inspiring and touching and hilarious. Many were prefaced by the line, "I'm a little nervous to tell this with Andrew's parents here" but I watched his parents' faces and I think they were just grateful to become privy to more history of their son who they had lost way too soon. Even if the stories involved farting, or pranks, or showcased Andrew's finetuned skill of pestering people. They were evidence that as Andrew made his way through life he touched people. He influenced them. He made things brighter, more fun, more memorable, for those who walked along with him for a time. I loved the story from his brother who told of the note that came home from a beleaguered high school chemistry teacher. It said, in it's entirety, "Please convince Andrew to be on my side." It's true- to be on Andrew's side was the best place to be- he was a powerful advisary! But he did know how to reach out, how to bring people to his side, he loved to let people into the joke, even if it was on them.

It was hard to find a way to end the campfire, the store of Andrew stories is seemingly bottomless, but after a time Amy got us to sing "Mm-mm I want to linger" and then "Happy Trails" and then we broke up. A group of us went back to the lodge to clean up. Some people slyly stuck Mr. T stickers to secret places around the building, and then we had to figure out what to do with the giant glossy picture of Andrew posing creekside in the Yukon in a pair of boxers and with an impish grin on his face. We ended taking down the old painting of voyaguers over the fireplace in the staff lounge and replacing it with Andrew. I hope the current staff keeps it there for at least awhile. The picture captures Andrew's humor and fun-loving spirit.

And then people went their separate ways. Hopefully we won't have to gather in this manner again until we are all much older. But it was good, and it was necessary, and I have more of Andrew to remember now.