While the Chamber Orchestra played Fanfare for the Common Man (Hear it here) someone behind the stage released a flock of white doves into the sky. The birds flew over the crowd and circled in the distance while the sad music played. At times the birds caught the late afternoon sunlight and seemed like diamonds twinkling in the clouds. Then they would circle around and completely disappear. It was sad and sweet and brought everyone to tears. Ed Wise and his New Orleans Jazz Band brought everybody back to earth with their great rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In.
The speeches were warm and wonderful and told of a woman with natural grace and love of people who everyone — even those who only knew her a little — claimed as their own. Pretty much everyone said we will move forward but it won’t be the same.
More photos at flickr.
