| The Funeral of Stephen Dougherty | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 13 2017, 01:30 PM (160 Views) | |
| Brian Stryker | Jul 13 2017, 01:30 PM Post #1 |
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Tuesday July, 11th, 2017 Today was the day. The day Brian thought just wouldn’t come/not want to. Today was the day to bury his father. Brian decided to have the funeral in Philadelphia for two reasons. One this was his home. He grew up her just like Brian. Two, he wanted to bury him next to Brian’s mother. After coming to light the truth about their relationship, Brian felt it was only fitting that he and his mom get reunited finally after 30 apart. It was the least he could do at this point for them both. Brian stood on the steps of Christ’s Church, one of the oldest churches in the city. His mom used to take him here for Christmas services growing up. This was also where his mother’s funeral was held. He leaned against the side wall as he smoked a cigarette. He hated smoking for the most part, but this wasn’t the time. He was stressed and depressed at the moment. It’s always like that when you have to bury a love one, and it felt like Brian has had to do that a lot in his life. People where coming from all over the place for Stephen Dougherty. Old friends from the neighborhood where he grew up. Coworkers from his construction company in Florida. Family Brian never even met. They were all here to celebrate the life of a man. Brian blew the smoke into the air as he placed his head against the cold brick wall. The past 24 hours have been whirlwind of different feelings and emotions. Happiness, sadness, anger, acceptance. The entire gambit has been run by Brian at least 3 times today alone. PRIEST: Mr. Dougherty? Brian looks over as the priest proceeding over the funeral walks up. Brian couldn’t help but smile at this old man. This man has been a priest as long as Brian could remember. He was an old school Irishman who just had light coming off him. He was the perfect image of what you picture a priest to be. His red hair was thin and graying now, but the light was still in that man. BRIAN: Father Rourke. Nice to see you again. PRIEST: I’d prayed it would have been under better pretenses sadly. BRIAN: Well as you use to tell me all the time, He works in mysterious ways. PRIEST: Surprised you were even listening. You were sleeping in the church when I told you that. If I’m not mistaken a needle sticking out of your arm. BRIAN: You were a lizard when you said it. When a talk giant lizard says something, you listen. Brian and the priest share a quick laugh each other. PRIEST: Well I’m glad it got through and that you found the right path. I don’t even see traces of that boy anymore. You’ve become the man, the lord has always wanted you to be. BRIAN: Thanks Padre. Things starting? PRIEST: Yes, everyone is ready. Brian nods as he takes one more puff before stomping his cigarette out. He walks to the front of the church as he heads inside where everyone was already seated, his father’s closed casket at the foot of the stage. He walked up to the front and took a seat in the first pew next to his wife. She quickly snatches up his hand and squeezes tightly. He gives her a squeeze back. He leaned over and whispered. BRIAN: I’m fine. PRIEST: Today, we are all together to celebrate the life of Stephen Jacob Dougherty. A man sadly taken from us far too early. It’s not uncommon to question the Lord in these moments and ask why take a soul like this away from his family and friends so soon. But as I always say, He has a plan. The Lord knows what he is doing and plans everything perfectly. We may not know it instantly, but we are all benefiting from this man’s life. He has touched each one of our souls and our hearts. And for that, he may never truly die, as he lives on inside of us. Stephen Dougherty wasn’t a perfect man. No mortal man is. But he was a good man. A man who lived by his convictions. Who learned from mistakes and used them to instill the knowledge onto his family to help protect them from making their own mistakes. That is why I wish to bring his eldest child, Brian, up and say a few words. Brian looks at Brooke who gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. Brian inhales deeply as he stands up and walks up to the podium. Brian and the priest share a quick handshake as he steps up to the mic and clears his throat. BRIAN: Anyone who knows me well knows I was very vocal about my father growing up. For 30 years I believed this man left my mother right after I was born. I thought he as a coward who ran away only to show back up when it was convenient to him. I blamed the man for everything. Why me and my mom grew up poor. Why I never could settle my anger issues. Blamed him for my mother dying of cancer. To me, he as the worst of the worst. For the past few years, my father and I tried to build a new bridge together. We may never be the father and son we should have been, but we tried to at least make things work. Sadly, I was stuck in my old stubborn ways and it caused more friction than good. When I got the call about my father being close to death, I rushed down to that hospital in Florida. What I saw was a man close to death. A man who only had one request. Not that I forgive him or anything, but a man who only wished I looked after his family. That was when I began to realize I was in the wrong all these years. I was angry, more angry than I ever been, but I wasn’t angry at him. I was angry at myself. I acted like a brat towards him. I let resentment prevent me from learning the truth. The truth being….my dad never left me and my mom. The crowd is hushed as Brian wipes his face, wiping away the tears. BRIAN: As I was going through his things after, I discovered a letter. A letter written by my mother sent a few weeks before she died 16 years ago. In it, she apologizes to my father for leaving him and taking me with her. She apologized for being a selfish person. My entire life has been me believing a lie. I thought my father left because he couldn’t handle being a dad. It’s why when I became a father, I swore to never do the things he put me through. But it was never true. He let himself become an object of my anger. He willing sent himself into the firing line. His reason? It’s easier for me to hate him than to hate my mother. Father Rourke was right when he said we may not realize the plan as it’s happening. It wasn’t the God’s plan though. It was my father’s. I can’t help but think of all the times he sent me letters and cards for birthdays or Christmas, that I just threw away without even opening. How that must have hurt him. I spent years stewing in this idea that the man was a selfish prick who only wanted to be my father after all the hard work was over. Turns out, he came back at the request of my mother. She wanted to him to tell me the truth about her. But he never did. He let me hold onto that image of my mother, the only thing I had left at the time. Was he wise to do this? Who knows? Some will say yes, some will say no. I may never know the truth at this point. He took that to the grave with him. But I do know one thing. He did what he thought was best for his son during a trying time. Maybe I would not have listened if he did tell me all those years ago. I was a stubborn kid. Maybe we would have been the best of friends. That’s all I have, maybes. I can’t apologize to my father. I can’t confront my mother. I will carry this idea with me for the rest of my life. But I will do one thing. One thing I should have done a long time ago. Brian turned and faced the casket. BRIAN: I love you dad. And I will miss you. Brian takes a step down as he collects himself. PRIEST: We will now begin the procession towards the cemetery. The Dougherty requested this to be a private moment, so we ask you respect their wishes. Brian and the rest of the pallbearers took hold of the casket as they lifted it up onto their shoulders. As they walked down the aisle towards the hearse out front, Brian tried his best to keep a stone face. They placed the coffin inside as the door was shut and started to deliver it to Laurel Hill cemetery. Brian was joined by Brooke and his step mother Brandy as they drove together in silence. When they arrived at the cemetery, they all walked together towards the grave, placed right next to the one of Brian’s mother. The priest said a short prayer as the coffin was lowered into the ground. Brooke and Brandy cried together as Brian just stared at the grave as it was filled up. The two women said they would wait back at the car as Brian asked for a moment alone. BRIAN: Hey…dad. Hoped you liked my little speech. It was hard to write. It’s…..it’s been a weird 24 hours for me here…..Brooke is pregnant again. Yeah 6 weeks and I just found out really late last night. Funny, I was still alittle late finding out but it’s better than the several months the first time was. He stops as he sniffs a moment. BRIAN: I’m gonna miss you dad. It’s just doesn’t feel right, being alone but not alone at the same time. You and mom are gone, and I’m all that’s left of that family. Me and Richie gotta continue and carry on the Dougherty name. You once said step up and step aside. I always did step up, but now it’s time for me to do that as the head of this family. I won’t let you down dad. Just do me one thing. Say hi to mom for me. Brian reaches out and places his hand on the tombstone as he turns and walks over. The tombstone is engraved with his father’s dates with the message, “Reunited with the woman he loved enough to sacrifice his own happiness.” Brian walks back to the car where Brooke and Brandy patiently waited. BRIAN: Let’s get going…I need a nap. Brooke hugs her husband one more time as they all get into the car and drive off. Closing the chapter on one of the most emotionally draining parts of Brian's life. |
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