Grayson Pointer Benediction: June 17, 2007

Grayson Pointer Benediction: June 17, 2007

Question of the Day

My name is Andrew Goodwillie and for the last half-dozen years I’ve considered Grayson my best friend.

Today, I’m here to answer a question that constantly running through my mind since Grayson’s accident. A question that virtually everyone asked after hearing about what happened, “What can we do?” “What can we do?”

In the days and weeks after Grayson left us, I rode my bike. I had to ride. I had to wrap my mind around the surreal, nightmarish progression of events and the bike the best tool for the job. I rode to reconcile the loss of my great, loyal friend and search for the path to peace with the seemingly senseless tragedy of his death. On these rides a mantra, of sorts, raced through my mind….

What can we do? What can we do? This is all so horrible. There must be something we can do! What can we do? What can we do? Twenty minutes or three hours, I don’t know. Just riding and repeating: What can we do? What can we do?

The first answers came from dark place sourced by grief, frustration and anger. I was unkind to my body, riding as hard as I could for as long as I could, num to the pain. Then as my emotions soften, and my body could no longer resist, I shifted gears, spinning. I shifted my thinking to the positives - about what made Grayson such a remarkable human and great friend: His boundless energy, for one, his intelligence (I learned so much about life and the world from him), his contagious confidence. And that kid could tell joke, and a story, who knows which ones were really true. I don’t think it’s been mentioned yet: Grayson was an excellent dancer. He saved it for specially occasions, but he had the moves.

My shift in thinking also shifted the question in my mind to,

“What can we do to transform the tragedy to make a positive impact on the world?” The kind of positive impact Grayson clearly made on my life, your lives and on our world.

The accident brought out such an amazing outpouring of genuine kindness, and elemental humanity. The Friday in the hospital when we said good-bye to our friend was brutal, just brutal. Watching a friend, a son, a brother, a husband die is hard. But at the same time as wave after wave of people filled the room, telling their Grayson stories, it was evident, while he was with us, Grayson’s imprint on the world, on so many people’s lives was immense.

So you’ve asked, “What can we do?” What can we do to honor Grayson’s memory? What can we do to demonstrate what we’ve learned from him and show we understand what was important to him.
So what was important to the Grayson? What causes and activities did he invest in?
Cycling, yes, cancer research and survivorship, was an issue that impacted his live and he cared greatly about.

But when close friends and family reflected about what was most important to him the unanimous choice was environment. Grayson build a career cleaning up who knows what in who knows where. The week before the accident Grayson made a job change, taking a similar position at another company. During this process of search in for new opportunities he tried to find a job to be part of the solution to our environmental problems. More than anything he wanted to use his skills and expertise consulting new alternative energy projects – solar or wind power. He and Lauren were a model of taking action to minimize their impact on the environment. They chose to live with one car, two gas-sipping scooters. They were planning an addition to their home with solar panels. They did a whole host of other little things the added up in favor of the environment. Together as team Grayson and Lauren took responsibility finding out what they could do and they took action.

So finally…an answer to: What can we do to remember Grayson?

We have set up the Grayson Pointer Memorial Fund. Details are still being worked out but the fund will support organizations that help protect the environment or promote awareness of environmental issues. That is one important way you can help. Information on how to make a contribution in Grayson’s memory is on the back of the program.

I have one more answer to the question, What can we do to make a positive impact?

Beyond being a great friend during the time of my life when I need one the most, Grayson’s most remarkable characteristic was his seemingly endless reserves of energy. He was a man of constant activity. At work, on the bike, in the community and at home Grayson figured out what needed to be done and did it. Period.

Clearly, the best way to remember Grayson’s is to take action. Action modeled on the way he lived this life - action that embodies his values and hopes for a more habitable earth. I ask you to consider making a change in your own lives. I ask you to take action to minimize your personal or your family’s impact on the planet. It’s hard to imagine how one small change, a singular choice can make much of difference in a flood pollution, waste, and environmental catastrophes, but think about the power of all the people in this room collectively making better more informed choices. It will never be enough to bring back our friend or fill the hole he has left in our lives, but it is a powerful, and meaningful way to remember Grayson beyond today and continue this celebration of his life.

Specifically what can you do? I have to admit that I am a token environmentalist. I do the easy things, I recycle, because I was raised by a notorious cheep skate and my son is now be raised by one, I turn off lights, fans and fight the good fight with my wife over control for the thermostat. I don’t feel like I have the credentials to preach about the subject. My first task is to become better informed about what I can do to minimize my impact on the plant. I know I can do more and with a little effort I will figure out meaningful ways to change my behaviors that will make a meaningful impact.

Environmental Education Resources:

http://www.climatecrisis.net/

The companion web site to the documentary, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.

http://www.denvergov.org//recapp/DenverRecyclesHome/tabid/425351/Default.aspx

Denver Recycles Home Page

http://www.treehugger.com/

This site contains great information about how your transportation, food, housing, and consumer and other choices impact the plant and it’s helpful “How to” section gives practical advice about implementing life style changes.

A memorial fund in Grayson's honor has been started. Grayson was passionate about the environment. In addition to honoring his memory, this fund will be used to positively impact our planet and environment, as Grayson would have wanted each of us do.

Grayson Pointer Memorial Fund
c/o Washington Mutual, Greg Miller
1038 E.6th Ave
Denver, Co. 80218
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Do something. Make a change to honor and remember Grayson Pointer.

Grayson we miss you but we will take action in your name to make the world you left us a better place. We must. We will. Please do something. Thank you.