Participation

As Melissa returned to her seat, Geoff's good friend, Michela Galardi made her way to the lectern.  Michela and her boyfriend, Geoff and Jo were all good friends having double dated and attended events as couples and as part of a larger group of friends.  They had been planning a trip overseas in 2007 when Geoff and Michela were diagnosed with cancer within weeks of each other.  Since they both were patients at the St. George Hospital there were times when they were together receiving chemotherapy or other treatment.  Geoff and Michela supported each other during those stressful days and I can remember that when I would speak with Geoff during that period Michela's name would always come up in the conversation.  Geoff was very proud of Michela's successes and she with his. They shared each other's triumphs with the various therapies as well as the inevitable setbacks.

Michela bravely began her reading of Psalm 23.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: You are with me; Your rod and your staff they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord - forever.

Father Barry then read a Gospel from St. John (16:16-24) which addresses the mystery of life and death and attempts to explain the unexplainable; that death brings sadness and mourning but also joy as the faithful believe it is a return to God from where we all came.  He explained the passage and how it related to Geoff and his friends and family in his homily that followed. 

My ability to concentrate was waning.  My mind went astray thinking about how Geoff's death affected not only his family but this huge crowd assembled in Our Lady of Fatima on this beautiful day in October.  Inside that coffin lay a little piece of everyone in that building that had come to know our son and appreciated his gifts.  He was gone from our presence forever but remains in our hearts forevermore.

Father Barry was followed at the microphone by Geoff's friends:  Mandy Budden, Emily Klein and Jen Watts.  The women recited prayers to which the attendees responded "Lord Hear Our Prayer".

Mandy:  "We pray that Geoff's gifts of love and kindness are never forgotten, and replicated within us all. Lord hear us."

"We thank God for the gifts of Geoff and pray that his creativity and love of art is never forgotten, and that his music never leaves our ears. Lord hear us."

Emily:  "We pray that Geoff's soul rest in peace, and that he remains forever youthful and as happy as he was when he left us.  Lord hear us."

"We pray that Geoff's family, both in Australia and America, that they find the strength to confront their grief, and to never forget the beautiful gift that was Geoff.  Lord hear us."

Jen Watts:  "We pray for Geoff's friends and girlfriend that together they can mend the hole that is left by his passing.  Give us the strength to understand your plan for him and for us all.  Lord hear us."

"We pray for those affected by Hodgkins Lymphoma, and any type of cancer that they may find strength to fight their illness.  We pray for advances in lymphoma research so that no family ever has to ask why.  Lord hear us."

"We pray that Geoff has been greeted in heaven, your kingdom by his family that have passed before him and that he waits for us with open arms.  Lord hear us."

Father Barry took over the lectern as Mandy, Emily and Jen returned to their seats.  He recited a couple of stock prayers.  Although I was still anxious about how quickly the service seemed to be moving I was awestruck by the love and honesty that poured out from the particpants thus far.  These were people who really cared about our son and I knew Geoff's death was nearly as confronting and difficult for them as for me.  I also knew that with this part of the service concluded it was time for the eulogies; the first would be mine then I was to be followed by Joanne.