Eulogy for Ivan

Eulogy For Ivan

Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to commemorate Ivan, the misunderstood, mistreated man whose untimely death has shocked us all.  Even though I was far from a friend, being the bartender, Ivan felt comfortable in confiding in me.

Today we stand before the late Ivan, and we need not look further than ourselves for the blame of this tragedy.  Every night Ivan came to the bar, hoping in vain that someone would reach out to him, and yet, you and I took pleasure in his despair.  Can you honestly say that you are attending Ivan’s funeral because you cared for him? Or, rather, are you merely present because you are trying to ease your guilty conscience? I am not delivering this eulogy today to make excuses for the way I treated Ivan, but rather I am here to tell you about Ivan’s misfortunate past.

Ivan grew up in a small town, just outside of Moscow.  He was a regular, fun loving kid, who, believe it or not, was the most popular person in his high school.  He grew up to become quite successful; he married his high school sweetheart, and they went on to have four children.  He lived a wonderful, almost perfect, life up until one faithful day--a day that haunted Ivan for the rest of his life.

            Ivan had everything that anyone could wish for: a beautiful wife, four healthy children, and a beautiful house.  The reason Ivan’s life wasn’t perfect was because he worked so hard that he did not really get to spend as much time as he wished with his family.  On one of Ivan’s many business trips, Ivan’s family was brutally murdered.  Ivan felt responsible for what happened, and therefore changing him forever.

            From that day forward, Ivan mourned the death of his family, and he swore to a life of solitude.  He thought that if did not care for anyone, he would never have to go through the loss of a loved one again.  Ivan came to the bar every night to get drunk and escape reality.  Every night, after drinking, after the...