In Loving Memory of my Brother

Darren Warner Britnell
August 8, 1959 – February 5, 2006

Darren was my youngest and only brother. His passing was sudden and unexpected. To this day, we mourn his passing. Darren was intelligent and a kind and gentle soul who tried to help others. He studied many different religious philosophies during his lifetime and seemed to find
an affinity with the Buddhism faith.

I found the english translation of the poem written by Nobel laureate Dr. Rabindra Nath Tagore. The essence of this poem is, even if nobody helps you and nobody answers your call even then don't relinquish the path you are taking. "Ekla chalo re.." meaning just walk alone...

If they answer not to thy call, walk alone
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou of evil luck, open thy mind and speak out alone.
If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,
O thou of evil luck, trample the thorns under thy tread,
and along the blood-lined track travel alone.
If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,
O thou of evil luck, with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart,
and let it burn alone...

Darren would always say that he loved me and I would say the same in return. Though Darren and I may have moved to the beat of a different drummer through life, we seemed to instinctively know the tune the other was marching to. I miss him a lot. The following lyrics seem to hold some meaning for me about our relationship...

Here I am, lost in the light of the moon that comes through my window
Bathed in blue, the walls of my memory divide the thorns from the roses
It's you and the roses
Bathed in blue, the walls of my memory divide the thorns from the roses
It's you who is closest…

Afterglow
Lyric by INXS

In Loving Memory of my Dad

Gerald Duane Britnell
March 13, 1938 – November 23, 1996

Dad, gave us so many things…
He brought music into my life... and put song in my heart
More importantly… through his generosity he taught me how to give. And he was always there ~ wherever or whenever I truly needed him ~ He was always there...

To his friends he was known as Gerry, and family members called him Duane. Not really sure why? Just one of those things.

My Dad was dearly loved and is sadly missed…
As each passing year bleeds into the next
I'm secure in knowing that he was very proud of me.

If there is any grace in his passing so young, it is that he was not alive when my younger brother died. We committed his ashes to the ocean which was one of the last wishes he conveyed to me.

May Love Reign Eternal Over Him ~

The following is a passage that we read during his memorial...

Do Not Stand On My Grave And Weep


Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn’s rain

When you awaken in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circles flight
I am the soft star that shines at night
Do not stand on my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die…


…UNKNOWN