A Memorial Service designed by God

It has been a little over a week since the memorial service which was on a beautiful Saturday at the beach. Rick and I had gone to Naples on Tues and stayed in a house 2 doors down from where Dustin spent his Florida life. I roller bladed like old times around the neighborhood and that did me good knowing I could still do it! My brother and sister in law from Roanoke VA came and stayed in the house with us and that was a real delight. On Friday, Pat, the nurse, had agreed to make Jamaican Jerk chicken for everyone and I think we fed about 18 people including one of Rick's sisters, nephews, kids, Nerina and her family and our daughter, husband and 2 precious granddaughters. It was a delight in a hard time. I played in the pool with Pat's 2 granddaughters as well as ours. Life is a blessing and I was/am going to participate in it no matter what.

Saturday was extremely special. We had such favor all around in a place that favor isn't a recognizable word. The service was at a state park that charges $6 per car and even $2 if you walk in. We had decided that we wanted to pay for all those coming to the service and had been told to leave a check at the gate so we could tally up at the end of the evening. There was the motorcycle veteran's honor guard and I had asked earlier if perhaps they could waive the fee for them since they were only coming to line the walkway at the beginning of the service each holding the American flag in military stance. "Absolutely not" they said so that was that.

When we went to leave our check on Sat. morning the guy in the booth said, "between you and me it has all already been taken care of". We assumed someone else had offered to pay as a gift and were grateful. We checked around and it seems as though the man at the booth spent 10 years in the Army Special Forces and just let everybody in. When the service was over, they normally kick everyone out as soon as the sun sets. However, he got other folks out and then came on the beach where we were, took his hat off and respectfully sat on his 4 wheeler till well after sunset. In spite of hard times, God still sends His favor and we openly thank Him for it.

We opened with a beautiful version of "Amazing Grace" by my favorite Darlene Zschech from Hillsong and the tears were many.
The service began around 4:30 with an wonderful Episcopalian priest who wore shorts and a bright Hawaiian shirt. After the song he got the service started with some fun informal "ice breakers" ,if you will, to set the stage that this was not going to be a morose atmosphere but one of a celebration of Dustin's short but precious life.

He opened with prayer and then we played a beautiful documentary of pictures of Dustin's life that was put together with much love by Nerina. After this, we opened the floor for anyone to come up and talk about Dustin. Nerina's dad opened and then one after another got up and spoke. We were so blessed that probably 10 of his friends from Fullsail came and shared fun times that they had had with Dustin, tears and their hilarious things that made Dustin....well Dustin. It was never anything anyone can put their finger on, put it was just Dustin. He made you wonder, he made you mad, he made you laugh, he made you think, and then he would watch your reaction....always for a line or "footage". Dustin was fun. He used to go around and say in his best fun voice a line from a movie that would always make me laugh. It goes like this:

"We're having fun cause that's what we do. If you ever meet us, you will have fun to"!

As long as I live I will never forget him saying this. Actually I have stolen it from him for my own life goal that no matter what, I am not going to get down, but try to find the joy in everything. I think he must have done this as well, even in his hardest moments. Some part of this would always shine through him.

Many others talked and of course Nerina got up and shared from her heart the "thing
that she and Dustin had that "most people never know in a lifetime". I can understand that statement at this time of my life because I have found it in my relationship with Rick. I think it is a precious gift from God and I agree many never have it or create it by pure unconditional love which is what they seemed to have. I am grateful that my son knew this kind of love even if only for a short time. It is priceless to me and I thank God for Nerina and her family.

We then played the song "It is Well with my Soul" which I believed Dustin would want us to know as he danced (no whoops he hated to dance) , how about long boarding, in the heavens.

After this we played a very fun, bluesy, New Orleans instrumental style of Amazing Grace that I think Dustin would have really liked (he always like the song "Amazing Grace" anyway.

We then shared some great food that my special friends from Naples set up and served. The special feature in the food arena was the most gorgeous, homemade carrot cake that had the film board thing in the darkest chocolate you have ever seen, and "Creative Footage- Dustin Lewis Bowman - 3/26/85 to 9/15/09 written on it.

While we were eating, Nerina showed a film production from Dustin's production company (which included some of the kids there) that was a lot of fun. I am going to try and see if there is anyway I can post the photo documentary or the film so that all of you who have so faithfully followed can enjoy "knowing" Dustin.

We then went down to the beach for sunset. I shared a most beautiful poem that was sent to me that seemed like it had been written from Dustin's perspective of this past year. We then had some nice quiet time with some candles that Nerina's, dad's sister from Miami made that were very especially made for Dustin and the service. The sunset was beautiful and dramatic with a unique cloud and light show. If you turned away from the beach , on your other side was the rising of the harvest full moon. Again , a memorial service planned by God.

I want to close this post with the poem that was read on the beach. Please check back to keep up with the accessible house, "Creative Footage" as well as they hopes of putting this story in, of course what else, but a film format. The Veterans Hospital in Tampa and Dustin's Alma mater, Fullsail have graciously agreed to help with the project.

Dustin - you are greatly loved and missed, but the little smile and the fun that you imparted to all that knew you is still alive in us. Thanks for a lifetime for that.

love,
Mom

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
And endless lonely night?I've lived my life and done my best
An example I've tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first
I fought with all my might
But something seems to draw me now
To a warm and loving light.

I want to go
I really do
It's difficult to stay
But I will try as best I can
To live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me
And share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
Because I see your tears.
I'll not be far,
I promise that, and hope you'll always know
That my spirit will be close to you,
Wherever you may go

Thank you for loving me.
You know I love you too,
That's why it's so hard to say good-bye
And end this life with you.
So hold me now, just one more time
And let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me,
You'll let me go today.

--Susan A. Jackson

Dustin - we release you to play in the heavens. I pray that everyone knows the Lord so that they can join him for eternity. We will miss him for this short life on earth but look forward to having fun forever with him. One thing about the poem that we learned at the service is that Dustin never liked good-byes. It was always "see ya later".

So Dustin..........we'll see you later!!