Thoughts from the Thursday evening Curt Massey Memorial Service from a family friend... There are those who live many years and have never really lived at all. There are others who are taken from us early, who have lived life to its fullest measure. Curt leaves a living monument-not in stone and mortar- but in the hearts and souls of hundreds, witnessed by some of those who are here tonight in Pacific Palisades. Curt-all that was good-all that we aspire to be. The peaceful warrior-we resonate with Curt because he lived a life that was exemplary-he lived a life of significance not just success-he leaves something stronger than tangible gifts could ever approach-the true gift of love. His deeds will build a castle. He was in control of everything except the one element none of us can control. He believed in a life of love, walked in the way of honor and served in the light of truth. The weight of mortality compresses almost all hope and each of us feels alone in the allegorical desert screaming for answers and solutions to our loss. Save for the hope in the Treasure Chest. It is our treasure chest where things and memories are kept and can never be taken away. In there are all the times shared with Curt. Some will have bigger chests than others, but all will have meaningful memories. It is our celebration or despair that we can go to our Treasure Chest and pull from it those memories that are most cherished to carry on with life. We are here tonight for many reasons, foremost of which is to honor his capacity to love. Men are often cast as stoic or tough guys in an iconic sense but sometimes their actions are a tell tale sign. Curt's ability to care and give of himself to his mother and family, wife and children, indigent children in harms way to help others build a better life is not often seen and a quality which is a marker for the standard in life. He had a lion's heart with a humble attitude. For those he worked with- they looked to him as the "scales" to apply justice. How he provided protection for those who are in harm's way and how he gave of himself for those whose circumstances were less fortunate. For those he served-he planted seeds that will grow and bear fruit in the future. Those he helped regain belief in the goodness of man. You will see Curt in their smiles and their actions for years to come. Have you ever noticed how trees grow in groves? Have you ever thought why this happens? We as a community are afforded a similar opportunity now. To help his parents and family; especially Padric whose values and integrity helped mold Curt's outlook on life and the world. Our prayers and thoughts are with you- your loss is our loss as well- a son- my son. We have the opportunity to help those for whom Curt lived his life; for Melody, Emily, Nicholas and Christian; to share our compassion with them and to help them with their future well-being, as Curt did so unselfishly with hundreds of others in his life. We can help fight the "vulnerability and isolation" that will try to sit at Melody's front door and we can help protect their three children as they grow up strong. Although he needs no assistance, I would like to think that all the love and compassion here tonight will lift Curt up farther into heaven so he can touch the face of God. He will live in our memories forever. Tomorrow there will be hundreds, if not thousands at the cathedral to celebrate his life. They come out of respect for a man, a "peaceful warrior", who dedicated his life to helping others. To a man who gave more of himself than most and therefore was an example for us all. They will come to honor his work and his words. He has bent the universe with his awareness and commitment that caring and love can overcome everything. People are lost every day and some leave a mark on the future. Tell those you love, you love them, every day, every way. May God be with you and with Curt Massey.