Dear Brian, we never thought it could be you and no one wants to accept your sudden demise. Our hearts are so overwhelmed with so much sorrow that all we can do is fight back tears and put on a brave face.

You taught us a lot of things but you forgot to teach us one last thing – how to let go. We shall not despair but shall instead embrace the fact that death is part of life and learn how to live without the many wonderful aspects of your life like your immense kindness, infectious smile, laughter, and rib-cracking sense of humor.

You have made our lives richer and fuller. You will forever continue to live on in our memories and stories as well as what all of us have become because of you Brian.

We will mourn the man who is gone but remember him as he lived – A man who loved us all with equal passion and lived on the fearless edge of what was possible.

If I should die before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor, when I’m gone, speak in a Sunday voice,
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Parting is painful. Weep if you must.
But life goes on.
So sing as well.

By Joyce Grenfell-