Let us be honest with death. 

Let us not pretend that it is less than it is. 

It is separation.  It is sorrow.  It is grief. 

But let us neither pretend that death is more than it is. 

It is not annihilation. 

As long as memory endures, his influence will be felt.  It is not an end to love –

humanity's need for love from each of us is boundless. 

It is not an end to joy and laughter --

nothing would less honor one so vibrant

than to make our lives drab in counterfeit respect! 

Let us be honest with death, for in that honesty

we will understand him better