A Weekend For Todd

It is hard to capture what took place this weekend. I have not done it justice. I miss him so much it hurts my heart.

This was the gorgeous program that Liz Eastin, a friend of Todds designed for us. It is a tri-fold, front and back, so it may be hard to envision. Click to enlarge...





The OC Register has done numerous articles on Todd during his battle with Leukemia. They were also at the funeral service. The photos of the service were taken by them.
Here is a link to a short video of the funeral done by the OC Register. There are 3 tabs- photos, article and video...

Saying their goodbyes


The Service















My remarks...

What an awesome brother!
Todd gave me my first cassette tape. It was A-ha. They were dreamy! He would let me listen to it as we drove around in his Jeep. I felt so cool!
I remember practicing the piano one day as a very young girl and Todd came and stood behind me. Soon he stopped me and asked me if I wore deodorant. I didn’t wear deodorant yet and told him so. Then he told me I should start. I am proud to say I joined the deodorant wearers of the world that day. Todd didn’t mince words. He told it like it was, but with a smile in his eyes.
While we were young children, my parents started a tradition of acting out the nativity on Christmas eve. We were all performers and loved the chance to put on a show, even if it was just for each other and the video camera. Our family’s favorite version of that reenactment was not too many years ago. The props were well thought out and our costumes were sweet, right down to our taped on beards for the wise men. Todd was the angel that year. We got a little out of hand and ended up making the craziest movie ever. We decided we could never top that production and we tucked that tradition away. We all still laugh at that fun memory. His lust for life and joyful demeanor made any family gathering a party.
Another great memory for me is driving in the car to who knows where on family road trips. We would listen to music as we drove and all 4 of us kids and occasionally Dad would try to sing off key with the music. It was ugly! It would make Mom nuts. We thought it was so funny! Life was anything but booring with Todd around.
Todd was a huge part of my early years of college. He signed up for some music courses with me. We got to spend most of the day together. We were in a capella, madrigal and jazz choirs together as well as a performing group called Standing Room Only. One night at a Christmas choir concert we had just finished singing The twelve days of Christmas which ends...and a partridge in a pear tree.
The conductor hadn’t lowered his arms so no one was clapping yet. Then all of a sudden I heard from behind me ...(bird sound) It was Todd. We all knew it. The conductor was fuming. We were all very worried for Todd, but when he came out of our conductors office they were laughing. Todd could warm any situation in a heart beat! You couldn’t stay mad at him for long!
I had the privilege of being in a couple of shows with Todd. We were 2 of the leads in the musical Anything Goes. We got to sing a duet called you’re the top. I loved singing and dancing with him. It meant the world to me to be up there with my big brother. Taco Bell, that’s what ate before every show. How we danced and sang on 3 tacos, a burrito supreme and a Dr. Pepper, I’ll never know. We also were in Fiddler on the roof together. Our little sister TJ joined us for that show. Such a good time!
I love the way my children adore their Uncle Todd! Even at the young age of 3, my son Jaden felt a connection with Todd. I remember finding him scribbling on his leg with a pen. I asked him why on earth he would do such a thing. His reply was,”It’s like Todd’s leg.” Of course I knew he was referring to Todd’s tatoo. I just caught him last week doing it again. Another time I overheard a conversation between the 2 of them. It went like this: Todd, why do you wear earrings? Only girls wear earrings. To which Todd replied, well pirates wear earrings and they’re boys, arrrrr! For days after that Jaden kept asking if Todd was really a pirate. So we can add pirate to the long list of stuff Todd could do!
We all have our cherished moments with Todd. As I have been gathering stories about todd from all of you, I loved something Corinne Mixx said. I hope she doesn’t mind me quoting her. She said, “If life is measured in moments, true moments, then Todd lived a very long life.”
I love that. He touched many and even in death, he continues to help others find meaning in their lives and appreciation for their blessings.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take time to thank all of you for doing so much in he and his family’s behalf this last year. I stand in awe of your compassion and service. Thank you for loving him so much!
He adored his sweet boy and his beautiful wife. They made him complete! He often said how Kelly was the best thing that ever happened to him. She changed his life. I am so blessed to have her for a sister! Todd lives on through his son and if Garrett is anything like his parents he will be amazing!
Todd made such a difference in this world and we are better for knowing him. Oh, how I love him! I have felt him near me this last week. And though I can’t see him or touch him, I know he lives and I know I will see him again. What a sweet reunion that will be!


-TIME-
(Sung at Todd’s funeral by Tiffany and TJ)

If all the world’s a stage, and life is but a page,
How do we make it last, the moments fly so fast.
It’s not for us to know, how long until we go,
But while here on this earth, we must learn what time is worth.

Time is too slow for those who wait,
Time is too swift for those who fear,
Time is too long for those who grieve,
But for those who love, those who are loved, time is eternity.

Those who are loved like you love me.
And so the story goes, a tale of joy and woe.
It’s up to us to find, the reason and the rhyme.

Time is too slow for those who wait,
Time is too swift for those who fear,
Time is too long for those who grieve,
But for those who love, those who are loved, time is eternity.



-The Face-
(Sung at Todd’s funeral by Joseph Hale)

Traveler of the great divides
Vagrant on a path to life

Everyday feels a little closer
To where it is that you're headed for
Given to a hope of so much more

For every time you fall apart
There'll be a soul to guide your journey
But if you choose to turn away
There in the mirror
You'll see my face
You'll see my face

Think you're on this road alone
Looking for a truth untold

Many times you've been close to breaking
Giving up and letting go
Something inside says it's not over

For every time you fall apart
There'll be a soul to guide your journey
But if you choose to turn away
There in the mirror
You'll see my face

And when the world crowds your space
Remember days when noise was silent
Now empty vows, loveless displays
Just a sense of knowing
You'd see my face
You'd see my face


An article in the local paper. Click to enlarge...




The Interment...