Memorial Service in Laguna Beach
The memorial service for Nicholas was lead by Rev. John Millspaugh at the Laguna Beach Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Laguna Beach, California at 2PM on Saturday, May 10, 2008.
Before the service I walked down to the beach to spend some time with my thoughts and the mahogany cremation urn with Nick’s ashes. I joined a group gathering for wedding photos in the gazabo and balanced the shoulder bag carrying the urn on the pipe rail. I stood looking out over the ocean and urn for some time before returning up the hill to the small church on Cedar Street where I placed the urn with Nick’s ashes and a picture of Nick on the alter near at the front of the church just minutes before the memorial service began.
On my way up the hill, my cell phone rang. It was Shirl asking me where I was. She came down to meet me, and we walked quietly together up the hill, to the church.
Here is a copy of the program for Nick’s memorial service.
I feel so blessed to have known Nick and had him in my life. When I first met him, he told me how glad he was that I was married to his dad. It filled my heart with light. At the time he was 17, and most 17-year-olds are embarrassed to have any parents at all, but he was thrilled to have another one: “You’re my stepmom — you and dad are my east-coast parents!”.
I have carried that moment of pride with me every day since. I love you, Nick.