Well, I am back in town after driving my family down to Dayton, Texas for the funeral my dear cousin, Sorrell Fregia.

We arrived at the Liberty Fire Department for the viewing Monday afternoon and were greeted by many family member we hadn’t seen in far too long. It was both a sad and joyous occasion. His body lied in wake at the Liberty fire department Monday night where it was kept under guard by his fire fighter family.

The funeral was at 2:00 on Wednesday and was preceded by a wonderful lunch courtesy of the families of the Baptist Church that hosted the funeral.

We are all very grateful for the fire dept, and the church for their support and kindness during this very difficult time for all of us who knew and loved Sorrell.

3 Ministers spoke at the funeral, 2 of which seemed to know Sorrell well. I was pleased that they honored Sorrel’s passionate love of life and enduring personal freedom.

The experience inspired me to reconnect with family relationships long neglected. Also, perhaps inevitably, I spent much time meditating on the nature of existence, the fate of all humans (death), and the afterlife.

This was the first funeral I have been to since I left fundamentalist Christianity. Observing the Christian burial rituals as an outsider allowed me to sympathize with the exclusive beliefs in a way that I had not been able to do previously.

In our human insecurity, many of us feel the need for re-assurance that our deceased loved ones continue to live in a place that is better than this one. A place where “every tear will be wiped away.” I also hope for this to be reality.

We miss you Sorrell, though you are always with us. We inherit your life into ours as we strive to live as you did, full of passion, love and courage.

During the funeral, a video was presented with the song, “It’s my life” by Bon Jovi. While I’m not absolutely sure, it’s very likely that this was a song that Sorrell loved and related to in a deeply personal way. As I listened to the lyrics during the service and watch Sorrell’s race car whirr around the track I was touched by how profoundly the song represented Sorrell’s outlook on life. Here are the lyrics, listen to Sorrell’s heart:

This ain’t a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
I ain’t gonna be just a face in the crowd
You’re gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud

It’s my life
It’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive
(It’s my life)

My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just wanna live while I’m alive
It’s my life

This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow’s getting harder make no mistake
Luck ain’t even lucky
Got to make your own breaks

It’s my life
And it’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive
(It’s my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just want to live while I’m alive
‘Cause it’s my life

Better stand tall when they’re calling you out
Don’t bend, don’t break, baby, don’t back down

“I just want to live while I’m alive.”

Go and do it. Bless you all.