A Tree to Mark a Young Life
My daughter’s primary school held a memorial today for a twelve year-old grade seven student whose young life was taken far too soon in a tragic house fire this past February.
To honour Kevin, students planted a mighty oak tree, which they dedicated to his memory. The quiet, simple celebration was marked by poetry readings from Kevin’s classmates and teacher, and a musical tribute by the school choir.
The choir sang Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’, which I found an unexpected, yet perfect choice of material…and I discovered how difficult it is to focus a camera while you are crying.
Live thy Life,
Young and old,
Like yon oak,
Bright in spring,
Living gold;
Summer-rich
Then; and then
Autumn-changed,
Soberer hued
Gold again.
All his leaves
Fall’n at length,
Look, he stands,
Trunk and bough,
Naked strength.
“The Oak”, by Alfred Lord Tennyson