Be well my friend keep to the Fen Causeway
He had been an alcoholic, but remained sober throughout the production. Thus his death seemed even more unfair than mortality.
His funeral, in a Lutheran church of plain white brick, was very moving. At the end of the simple ceremony, anyone could come to the coffin to give a eulogy. At least a third of the gathered did so. There were quite a few media people among them - perhaps more used to public speaking, but the most powerful poetry came from family and relatives. I felt it immensely moving, especially as such outspoken love is quite rare in the Finnish culture.
And the reception afterwards, in a nearby cafe on the sea shore, was more like a wake, with songs and music, and laughter, provided by the guests. A celebration of his life, rather the mourning of his death. You can't be me, I'm taken
