Edward James Skelly

On this page you will find the eulogy I gave at my brother's funeral. 

I have also added some quotes I enjoyed.  Please feel free to share any quotes which are meaningful for you.

Eulogy

I’d like to start with a prayer I was just recently sent from a fellow sibling (of a person with special needs)

An Indian Prayer

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

As I think about Eddie & his life here, this is how I like to think of him now.  There were so many things Ed was not able to do here on earth, that I hope now he is experiencing.

While his actions may have been limited, he had a unique ability to touch everyone he met in a special way.  Typically, the elder sibling, identifies the younger as they become “Jacqui’s brother.”  Well, Ed made sure I quickly became “Eddie’s sister” almost everywhere I went.  I fought it for a bit, however, he quickly made me very proud of that title.  I’m sure I will continue to be identified as “Ed’s sister,” actually; I hope I will be, and I will always be very proud of that.

He taught us all so much and was truly a blessing.  I am often told how I almost never fail to see the good side of a situation, and that is thanks to Ed, that is Ed in me.

I know as I continue on, the places this prayer mentions are the places I will continue to see Ed.  In the winds that blow, which he loved to feel on his face from dad’s convertible.  In the falling snow, which he loved to sled down.  The birds circling in flight and singing, I imagine him doing those along with them as he never could before.  And while this prayer may not stop my tears or visits to his grave, it does bring me some comfort and hope.