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Releasing Ted
May. 20th, 2008 11:10 pmI just got home from a memorial for Ted. He told his two closest friends that he wanted just the two of them to throw his ashes over the Minnehaha Falls on the first full moon. Of course these same two friends told him that they would make sure all of his friends would be there, and we were.
Russ waited until it was dark and then started the memorial by reading something he had written about the dynamic friendship he had with Ted. Ted was angry with the universe sometimes, struggling with why his life was the painful experience it had become. Russ, on the other hand, has taken the challenges that AIDS has brought to his life and really grown. In Russ's story, he told us how Ted really started to come to terms with his struggle in his last few weeks, and managed to reach out to his family.
Most of the other speakers knew Ted from spending time with him at the Aliveness Project, either as a fellow client or as a volunteer there. One of the really interesting observations about Ted was that he was a man who was very particular about what he wanted. He was direct and forceful, and VERY German.
I never had the pleasure of spending time in Ted's home. A few people describe it has very creative. We were told that he had both great taste and horrible taste, and he combined that all in wonderful ways. We also learned that he loved the sun and flowers, which is such a contrast with his gruff exterior.
Bobbie, one of my fellow Atons, told the story of how Ted lived just down the street, came over to Bobbie's first dungeon party and remarked that Bobbie needed art in his dungeon. In the middle of that night, 3am, Bobbie heard a knock on his door and it was Ted, who had cut up some old Drummer magazines and brought them over for Bobbie to hang in his dungeon until he could get more art. From then on Bobbie has always had art in his dungeon.
As each person told their story about Ted, they would dip flowers into a bag of Ted's ashes, and release him with his beloved flowers over the falls.
After everyone had spoken, and release their piece of Ted, everyone remaining gathered at the edge of the bridge and watched as Russ released Ted into the water. Of course, Russ didn't just fall directly into the water, but also spread on the breeze, which resulted in this photo.
One added note. Russ explained how Ted really grew to love the poetry and music of Chris Spheeris. In the end he decided to leave his estate to Chris, who he never met.
Russ waited until it was dark and then started the memorial by reading something he had written about the dynamic friendship he had with Ted. Ted was angry with the universe sometimes, struggling with why his life was the painful experience it had become. Russ, on the other hand, has taken the challenges that AIDS has brought to his life and really grown. In Russ's story, he told us how Ted really started to come to terms with his struggle in his last few weeks, and managed to reach out to his family.
Most of the other speakers knew Ted from spending time with him at the Aliveness Project, either as a fellow client or as a volunteer there. One of the really interesting observations about Ted was that he was a man who was very particular about what he wanted. He was direct and forceful, and VERY German.
I never had the pleasure of spending time in Ted's home. A few people describe it has very creative. We were told that he had both great taste and horrible taste, and he combined that all in wonderful ways. We also learned that he loved the sun and flowers, which is such a contrast with his gruff exterior.
Bobbie, one of my fellow Atons, told the story of how Ted lived just down the street, came over to Bobbie's first dungeon party and remarked that Bobbie needed art in his dungeon. In the middle of that night, 3am, Bobbie heard a knock on his door and it was Ted, who had cut up some old Drummer magazines and brought them over for Bobbie to hang in his dungeon until he could get more art. From then on Bobbie has always had art in his dungeon.
As each person told their story about Ted, they would dip flowers into a bag of Ted's ashes, and release him with his beloved flowers over the falls.
After everyone had spoken, and release their piece of Ted, everyone remaining gathered at the edge of the bridge and watched as Russ released Ted into the water. Of course, Russ didn't just fall directly into the water, but also spread on the breeze, which resulted in this photo.
One added note. Russ explained how Ted really grew to love the poetry and music of Chris Spheeris. In the end he decided to leave his estate to Chris, who he never met.
