An auditorium full of people came to celebrate the life of my brother-in-law, Gary Blomgren, on Saturday, Dec. 8.
There, I saw how simple smiles and kindness can affect people to their core, way more than you realize. I talked to two police officers who were there to control traffic. One of them had also been Gary's student five years ago.
We heard many stories, like how Gary would stop obviously upset students in the hallway, even if he didn't know them, and take them aside to cheer them up and make them laugh; or how he would make someone's day just by smiling at them when no one else would.
We heard how he made every person feel like they were the center of his attention. We heard how his room was a sanctuary for all.
So many stories. So much love.
I heard my daughter give a heartfelt speech about her godfather and, as she stood there looking out at the crowd, she told us to look around, too, and be joyful that all these people had felt the kindness and warmth that Gary shared with each of us.
I saw my son put a protective arm around Patty, Gary's widow, to make sure she was okay during the reception.
I saw their sons and daughter do so much, so often, so well. I was proud of the roles each of Gary's children played, the music and the memories they shared, and want them to know how exceedingly proud their father would have been, too. I saw Patty's family put a net of love around her, and the rest of us.
Such a wonderful group of people.
The outpouring and love for all of us in the Blomgren family from the Brattleboro community, especially the principal and staff at Brattleboro Union High School, have both overwhelmed us (in a good way) and comforted us. The school set a special room set aside for us to compose ourselves both before the memorial and afterwards, before we went to talk to people at the reception. So thoughtful.
They set everything up and said, “We will do this right for Gary.” A staff member did a fabulous photo collage of him. A student painted a beautiful picture of Gary. And seeing his students' artwork in the hallways - everywhere - was wonderful.
As a family, we have sat around and told stories, laughed, and hugged one another a lot.
The community has lost a friend and co-worker, and we have lost a piece of ourselves. Together we will get through this, though.
Every person seemed to take away the thought that we, too, can make someone's day, just by being kind, or smiling, or just noticing a person - as Gary did.
It's simpler than we think. We all can smile. We all can love. We all can share.
We all can do what Gary did - pay attention to our world and especially the people in it.
What a beautiful legacy Gary has left.