For those of you who do not know me, my name is Brian. Rory and I met during the summer of 1989. I still remember seeing Paul (and Rory) walk over the hill to introduce themselves. That day, Rory and I played football together. He didn’t understand the game very well, but what he did get was that when he had the football in his hands there was almost no chance we could catch him.

Our friendship grew quickly from there. Even though our childhood and interests were very different at first, it didn’t matter. We made a connection that day.

Along with our core group of friends, we had many good times over the years.

Rory was proficient with words. Whether it be writing or speaking, he was able to express himself.

On the flipside, he expected the same from you. For instance, if you stated an opinion to him about something, big or small, you better be able to back it up. I’ll admit, I was a slow learner on this front. But over time, just as it probably was for many of you, I was thankful for his perspective.

In most cases, he was not concerned about what your opinion even was; he just asked that you be able to justify your beliefs to him or to anyone else who may ask.

I will always miss him. I am sure many of you here today will as well. At one point or another, maybe even more if you were fortunate, he likely forever left a profound imprint on your life in a way that only Rory could.

I’ll never be able to fully understand the decision he made.

All these years…so many of us tried to convince him that this was not how his story had to end.

However,

I challenge you, just as I will forever need to challenge myself:

- To embrace the grieving process necessary for your own healing from this loss

- To always feel empowered to ask for help when it is needed

- To appreciate all that is positive about your life

- To value what is good in the people you care about

And most of all,

- Regardless of your own beliefs on what is right and what is wrong... accept his decision and focus on what it was about Rory that is worthy of celebration...and not just today or tomorrow. Together, it is our responsibility to never stop reminding each other about why he was so loved. Let these memories be his lasting impression on you.