Man 61 dies on River. Russian River. Did you hear it on the news? A family camping on the Russian River this weekend lost one man to unknown cause of death. It seems it was a heart attack, or some seizure. He fell from the canoe, was attended to by others on the river, and then by paramedics. My brother Michael left us August 31st, 2008. 

In a dream, a vision, a perfect ending might be a walk down a long, warm sandy beach to the water’s edge where a boat waited to float away down a beautiful, peaceful river. The passenger would be filled with the love of family, the richness of accomplishments in life, and the joy of the perfection of the moment.  Though it is my vision, it was my brother’s reality. Though it might be hard for all to accept, there are aspects for which we can be thankful. 

He had come back to family campout with his grandchildren, to give them the experience of the greater family, the richness of the unity and love. He had reconnected with many of his friends within the family. He laughed, shared dreams, spoke of a need to reclaim health – and the intention to walk in that direction. He turned down the goodies that he thought grotesquely unhealthy on his new path, and headed off with all of us on the bus to the canoe site; laughing, observing his grandchildren immensely happy among the greater family, and singing at the top of his lungs (with all the rest of us) Bob Marley’s ‘One Love, One Life, Lets get together and be alright.’ He gave the children into the family by his actions, and he left with them safely among us. 

I pray for his soul’s continued journey, and I keep hearing two songs floating through my conscious and subconscious ... I know you’re out there somewhere by The Moody Blues, and by Cat Stevens, ‘Oh very young where will you lead us this time? You’re only dancing on this earth for a short while. And though your dreams may toss and turn you now, they will vanish away like your daddy’s best jeans- denim blue- faded up to the sky, and though you want em to last forever, you know he never will...  (Yes, those are the words; you want em to last forever, you know he never will...)

And none of us will. I like to think my brother went in a way that would have suited one of his ‘more perfect visions’ of how we might go.

All are invited to lift their hearts with us as we honor him in a vigil, Thursday night, 7:00 at Duggans Memorial in Daly City, CA, and Friday, 1:00, as we hold last ceremony and commit his body to earth. 

Family and friends are welcome to join us in Ceremony at Duggans, Thursday night at 7, Friday at 1. Proceedings will be followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. 

Duggans Serra Mortuary

500 Westlake Avenue

Daly City, California 94014

650.756.4500 

Karyn Mari