The Eulogy of Marco Chavarin

My goal in life is to live up to this great eulogy written by a fellow artist, friend, financial empowerment guru and kindred spirit.  It’s clearly self important and a bit ridiculous to have your own eulogy, but it’s also pretty awesome.  Enjoy, and may someone write you a great eulogy some day too. 

mc- 

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(To be accompanied by a live Mariachi and lots of great mezcal and tequila)

“ A man’s usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals in so far as he can… Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die and none are fit to die who have shrunk from the joy of life and the duty of life.”  Teddy Roosevelt

Perhaps there is no better reflection of the character of this man we celebrate today, because Marco was a man who gave himself with his entire being to the pursuit of his ideals, his morals, his duty toward his family and friends and his endless quest to be the best version of himself.  His strength of character still ripples throughout each of our lives.  His fierce loyalty to his family and closest friends is still palpable in this room.  His sacrifices he made to support provide for and raise up those who needed it most still change lives today.  He was- he is- a man of unwavering character. 

But he was so much more than his character.  In his pursuit of his ideals, in his quest for growth, he developed a depth and richness of soul unparalleled by anyone I have known.   For the blessed few of us that saw glimpses or even entire reflections of his soul, we felt and knew how incredibly deep this man was capable of loving.  It was his ability to love so deeply and purely that we all watched grow over time, and it was his courageous willingness to share the depth of his soul with another that brought him to his beautiful wife and created his beautiful family. 

And to combine the strength of character and the depth of his soul with his ability and willingness to love so deeply, Marco was in every sense the best husband, the best father and the best grandfather one could ever ask for.  They felt loved for, cared for, provided for and better people with Marco.  We were all better because of him.  While we all felt his love and support in every moment in life, what truly made us happy was seeing and being a part of the moment when he was truly happy himself.  Small moments shared with him when you could sense his joy, and large moments and adventures where wild adrenaline would carry him to a state of bliss.  Because he was so willing to provide for and protect and care for and love those close to him, it’s only natural for us who were close to him to rejoice in his happiness.  And even through his last moments, he was truly happy. 

What was most beautiful about him was his complexities.  Creative and intelligent, strong and gentle, open and protective – he was deep, introspective and beautifully multifaceted.  His intensity brought you into a place of respect, admiration and awe for the person he was.  And when he bestowed his trust on you, you felt humbled and grateful to be let in so close to that man. 

It’s difficult to mourn his passing, because it feels eclipsed by the incredible moment of connection we all shared with him.  And it is extremely difficult to mourn his passing with a live mariachi and an open bar – mourning was not his style and we celebrate his life today as we would if he were standing next to us: in joyful celebration with laughter and lightness, and with shots of tequila. 

So let us raise a toast to Marco: May we never cease to remember and celebrate the man he was to us all, y que Dios lo bendiga! (drains shot of tequila).

….Oh, and for those who had not yet heard of how he passed:  contrary to rumors, he passed in his bed surrounded by family and loved ones – not on the rock climbing trip he took a few days prior.  Though how he managed to continue to scale mountains at his age, we’ll never know…but he managed to conquer one last cliff face before going.   That’s Marco, for you.