Eulogy
July 15, 2008
Written and delivered by Brian Soderborg
In a lot of ways Alex and I are alike: We love being in the sun, we like girls and, we have similar facial features. Growing up it was often said that Alex looks like Brian, but Brian doesn’t look like Alex; which is weird because I’m the twin. In fact several people look like me but I don’t look like any of them. I often took solace in this but secretly didn’t tell anyone. (Read the article)
Life is a precious experience that we must all work to safeguard, protect, and use to enjoy ourselves to the fullest. We are alive to gain experience in this mortal world, yet sometimes those experiences are cut short.
While at work a life long friend called me and let me know that a mutual friend of ours that I knew more as an acquaintance had passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident just last night, the 10th of July. His name was Alex, and he had a twin brother, a girlfriend, and a sister of whom I served a mission with. Yet though he was not a close friend of mine, I still feel a sense of loss. He was a vibrant young man with many skills and talents, and an overall cheery persona. (Read the article)
I belive that my imagination directs my life and is influenced by my life. When I was growing up I was forced to go outside and use my imagination. My imagination formed me into what I wam today. My brothers and I would have to take the every-day blasè stick and make a toy out of it. We didn’t have "cool" toys or brand name anything. We were forced to live out our childhood with whatever we found on the ground.
In consideration of the "forest" and the "cup" along with their respective meanings what I saw in my mind’s eye were closer to memories of confortable times. When asked to envision a cup I did not get a fancy china vase, I got a plastic collapsible pink cup. I still have this cup today, because I love this cup. I can not find another like it. The fact that the cup referes to my childhood is great. I had a wonderful upbringing. I described the forest form a campout I went on that was particularly good, with the trees and sky just the way it was that day. It was a glorious day and my life so far is glorious. Except for the unexpected bear that pops out of nowhere. Who, when living a blissful life, would not be surprised when out pops a problem from the middle of oblivion? Naturally, I was a little shocked by it’s emergence. After I saw the bear I walked up to it and started asking some "getting to know you" questions. In real life when faced with a problem I confront it; not an all out attack, but I get to know it and how to deal with it.
Now picture a weather-worn, red brick wall covered in moss and vines taller than your head. This represents my out look on the future. A dead end? No, rather the unknown. I am only able to imagine what is on the other side. "Uncertain the future is. "When let to wonder, my mind found many things on the other side of the wall. A run-down mansion with unkept grounds. A desire to explore and a need for adventure fills my being at the very thought of this mansion. I guess that will always be a part of me, the need for adventure, or change. Sadly I never actually went over the wall. I have no idea what the future holds for me; only my imagination can tell. Then comes the water, in all it’s forms. First is the scene on the beach. beautiful palm trees, old coconuts on the ground, fallen logs, and the smell of the ocean. That is my out look on liferight now. Just sit back and enjoy the scenery. No need to rush into anything, I am still young. Now aquariums, that is a different story, I saw two of them. One was about five feet long and two deep. Many fish were in it along with rocks, plastic divers, and castles, etc. Behind that one I saw a huge killer whale tank, but no fish, no descriptive attributes, just the tank and water. This is how I perceive marriage. No, not polygamy,more of I would be happy with a small marriage, nothing fancy. I could do big, but there would be no emotion in it.
As far as character goes, I have been molded by my imagination into a sort of artist. I would rather make snow-dogs and build thrones from bricks than solve for "x". There is a saying that goes, "Its not what you look like on the outside, but on the inside that counts." I am one hundred percent for that. It took years of hard work and imagination for me to look as good as I do on the inside.
This is written for anyone who is really interested. I had minor surgery on Friday, November 30, 2007. I had Dad take me to the Granger Medical Urgent Care, Friday morning around 10. There had been a “growth” building up and it was very painful on Thursday, even though I went through with my scheduled plans. Friday morning I had Dad & Alex give me a blessing, then Dad took me to work. I called him when it got so bad I couldn’t stand it, and asked for him to take me to GMUC. We got there at 10:25am and about an hour later we went into an exam room. Doctor Devenport came in and asked questions and said it was a typical complaint. I had a cloged duct to a gland. There was nothing I could do to prevent it, there is nothing I can do to prevent it happening in the future. But, to solve the current problem, there was surgery. He cut into the gland and drained it and put something in to help with the drainage, ordered antibotics and said I was done. So I said, “Life as usual?” and he said, “Yes, in about three weeks.” I guess that is how long it takes to fully drain & heal.
Should you be interested in more details – please call and talk to me personally.
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