I had finished writing Sometimes I Look In A Mirror, based on the prompt, Dream On by Aerosmith. As I was about to copy it to my October writing page I had a thought. Two guys at their friend’s funeral giving an eulogy to this song. And the rest is history.
Prompt by: Stories from the Jukebox
Prompt #12: Dream On by Aerosmith
Written by Steve Tyler
Steve and Joe slowly walked up to the podium and turned to face the congregation. They began singing acapella.
Every time that I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
Oh, it went by like dusk to dawn
Steve spoke. “Eulogies are often spoken by people who have no connection to the deceased. A minister who takes down words and talks in vague generalities, trying their best to convey a life to be remembered. Others whose connections are tentative. We are here to look after our friend.”
“Today we are here to honour our great friend Stuart Sommers,” said Joe. “We are all here because he touched our lives in some way. He was an excellent example of how life is to be lived. His gift was finding a way to include everyone without it ever being intrusive.”
Steve took up the next part. “There was the time when he was ten when he took up the tongue dare on a rather frosty winter’s day. Even though he lost a bit of his tongue he laughed about it often saying he now had a forked tongue.”
“Stuart was an athlete who by his own standard was not a good athlete but what he gave was the grit and determination to be part of and support his teams. He was more of a big picture guy who would do what it took to help his team win,” explained Joe
“Stuart was once asked if he would like to climb Mount Everest. His response was a bit startling but in true Stuart fashion his response hit the mark,” Joe changed his voice a bit, “Why would I want to climb Mount Everest? I work with people everyday who climb bigger mountains.”
“His life was governed by a code that he put together throughout his life. It started simple. Be the best person you can be. Throughout his life he worked to refine and redevelop his code. It became more focused as he grew older.”
“But one thing never changed.”
“He knew that it was better to be a listener, a supporter and a doer. In this he encouraged others in positive Stuart tones. He was always the best he could be. This doesn’t mean he never hit low spots. He did like everyone else. At the same time his heart was so large he would shake off his issues when he was with others.”
They quietly began singing:
Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay,
I know nobody knows
Where it comes and where it goes
I know it’s everybody’s sin
You got to lose to know how to win
On holidays Stuart could be found at the local community centres. Through his work and planning he would be leading the way preparing meals. These meals would bring people who were alone together to celebrate as part of the family in the community. His belief was that no one should ever be alone at Christmas or any other holiday,” reflected Steve.
Half my life’s in books’ written pages
Storing facts learned from fools and from sages
You view the earth
Oh, sing with me, this mournful dub
Sing with me, sing for a year
Sing for the laughter, and sing for the tear
Sing with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
“Stuart blessed us with gifts. The gift of patience. The gift of listening. Not just the usual ‘I hear you’ but listening with insight and working to help you develop yourself. He did this without being intrusive but by just being himself. The gift of understanding. The gift of giving because you can give. The gift of caring not just for some but for everyone. The gift of inclusion,” reflected Joe somberly.
“We would like to believe that Stuart today would not want you to be saddened at his passing. He would like you to follow the Stuart way. Do what you can to make someone’s life a little easier, a little more comfortable, a little happier.”
“Stuart wanted us to include his favourite song, Dream On, by Aerosmith, in today’s service.”
“We have sung parts as he requested but now please join us in singing the chorus. We will be repeating it a second time once the first time has ended. We know you know it.”
Oh, sing with me, this mournful dub
Sing with me, sing for a year
Sing for the laughter, and sing for the tear
Sing with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away
Together Steve and Joe returned to their seats feeling blessed to be called Stuart’s friends.
Great eulogy, Bill. I always appreciate stories that adapt these kinds of everyday storytelling mechanisms and genres. In particular, this quote stands out: “Why would I want to climb Mount Everest? I work with people everyday who climb bigger mountains.” Really powerful and shows off Stuart's love for others, as well as his appreciation and understanding of the challenges they face.
Wonderful. I laughed at the forked tongue part. Hehe. People like Stuart are so cool to want others to have a good time and be in a better place, as I'm sure he is now. Great post, Bill.