Memories Can't Wait

I don't think I actually could give a full description of how the memorial service and wake for Mark Freeland (I just can't say "the late") went Monday and Tuesday, and it wouldn't have been proper or respectful from my perspective to have taken notes/recorded the proceedings. Hearing, seeing and living them was the right thing to do as Mark left for another plane.
But some observations should be made: the friends and family of Mark who spoke at his service allowed all of us to try to make a bit of sense of his tragic leaving too soon, added some levity, revelation and understanding to Freeland's passing, something we either can't or, in some way, don't want to totally understand and normalize. Tony Billoni, longtime artist, musician, event presenter and friend, did a fine job in coordinating the speakers and presenters as well as shared some interesting, touching memories. (Val and I saw Tony at Tuesday night's Richard Thompson show at the Tralf; Tony made a fine point of noting that it was time for "some musical healing.")
You could see it was hard on all of them to relate either the events and memories that they experienced with Mark, or like Mar Penner, told of of her dream about Mark and his family the morning he died that was so much more than simply a dream.
The attendance of friends and relatives from Buffalo, Western New York and out of town was tremendous; we all noted that while this wasn't the way we wanted to see each other, it did good for our souls and to help muddle through Mark leaving this world to see each other, which Mark was no doubt enjoying. All of the seating in the main room was filled during the memorial, as well as several other rooms and with people standing in the hallways and sitting on the main room's floor.
Of course, if you think about it, most funeral homes would be awfully crowded with the musicians and artists Freeland worked and created with over the years. Some of them could be seen during the visitation time in a separate room, the video room, which played live videos and some interview/first person pieces of Freeland and were absolutely wonderful.
Many people also contacted family and friends through the Internet and by phone; we were honored and touched that so many people checked this blog and Val's Creative Buffalo blog for information on Mark's passing and to comment on the blogs and in private e-mails. If we were in any way able to help people communicate, understand, stay in touch with and touch others about Mark's death, then we feel this blog has achieved more than we ever expected. We also were very happy to see other blogs adding to those communications and appreciate some fine writing, including Beth, who has been e-mailing Val as well.
Val also received an e-mail from Candi, better known to many as Candio or cmercer, one of the best and most imaginative writers on local music I ever encountered and enjoyed, as well as a fashion designer. She is one of the writers I read who made me think I could try this music writing thing.
There will be more memories, greetings and circumstances related to Mark Freeland that Val and I will be writing about (and another photo is coming soon), so I will put this keyboard down for now.