The RHLC!

[Muppet Newsgirl]

That would be a really good idea. I mean, the speech really does show off his spiritual/religious side, as he's up on the stage, talking about finding solace in God and nature, so that would be very appropriate in a church setting.
And you know, I like to read the transcript I made of those speeches, whenever I need to feel cheered up or at least less confused. I mean, there's stuff in there that anyone could listen to and identify with.

Good luck to you heralde - you'd probably do a better job than I do, for I am pretty much abysmal when it comes to public speaking.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Thanks, Skye and MN! I was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the points made in his speech were echoed in The Bible and made some very nice correlations. Whether this goes well or not, I'm very grateful to have gotten the opportunity. It helped me understand the speech,The Bible, and our traditions in a much deeper way.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

I know - and I found myself reflecting on a few hymns we frequently use during Mass - some of the favorites like "On Eagle's Wings," "How Great Thou Art," "Stewards of Creation," that sort of thing. And his line, "Let us all have mercy on each and every one of us." There you've got a reference to the Kyrie and the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).

On another note: I often wonder just how much of that speech Richard was doing off-the-cuff, and how much of it was rehearsed. I'm willing to bet he was winging a good portion of it.
And another thing: someone mentioned that Richard didn't seem terribly emotional - almost robot-like - during the memorial. But I'm inclined to disagree a bit. You can hear it in his voice - sometimes he pauses to collect himself for a moment, and sometimes he sounds just a nudge choked up. It's very subtle, but it's there.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Oh man, "On Eagle's Wings" is one of the best songs ever. Not sure if I've heard "Stewards of Creation", I'll have to research that.

I'd say a little of both, rehearsed and off the cuff. He probably had at least an idea of what he wanted to say before hand.

Well I can understand why someone might find the delivery odd, but I think that's partially nerves (yes even from Richard heh). Especially at the very beginning of the first speech, it sounds like he was trying to make a couple of jokes but the delivery wasn't quite there. From experience I know that can often happen when you're nervous. I also felt a little bad for him, he seemed to have a slight cough. But he was great later on, the emotion was definitely there.

I also think the way he gave the speech is not what you would initially expect from him, so that would make it seem strange. And he wasn't telling a story the way Frank was, he was giving a slightly more formal speech designed to inspire.

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

"Stewards of Creation" is a more recent hymn - it's to remind people that "the Earth is ours, to use and not abuse." We often sing it close to Earth Day.

Of course Richard had a case of the nerves: he was speaking before a packed audience in one of the most famous cathedrals in the U.S. Not only that, but he'd just lost one of his best friends...and he knew that the sands in his own hourglass were running out too.
It certainly presents the more melancholy side of the man who's best known for being an all-out cutup...which makes him all the more real and approachable for us the fans.

I also noted a few of his speech patterns in reading over the speeches - for one, he does use the word "enormous" a few times in quick succession. Another thing is, he does use a lot of lists, such as:

"except to be there, to support, to love, to have someone to hug.."
"this vastness...this divinity...this oneness...this being..."
"the irises, the lilacs, and the peonies..."
"forgive your anger, forgive your guilt, your shame, your sadness, and open up your love, your joy, your truth...but most especially your heart."

I'm probably scrutinizing these things more than necessary, but just thought I'd bring those up - 'cause they are interesting.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Oh that's cool, still a very important issue.

Yeah I can't imagine how all that must feel. Having already lost friends and anticipating his own fate. And then Jim dies out of nowhere. They weren't entirely sure what would happen to the Muppets at that time. Not to get too personal, but I wonder if he wondered why all this was suddenly happening.

I'm reminded of a song from the JHH episode Song of the Cloud Forest. The main character, a rainforest Toad named Milton, discovers he's about to face extinction: "There was a time when life was free, I used to smile so easily. But the time has come where I just don't see a reason...There was a time when life was grand. Who could have known what life had planned? As the world goes along, more and more I see, there just isn't anymore for me..."

Don't worry though, in the end Milton discovers there is still hope for him.

I also noted a few of his speech patterns in reading over the speeches

The one I noticed most (heh) was "most especially", which I rather liked actually, lol.

I'm probably scrutinizing these things more than necessary, but just thought I'd bring those up - 'cause they are interesting.

Well yeah, but understandable! Hehe

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Oh, I'll bet he did wonder. And you remember how we once had a discussion on "That Lonesome Road" by James Taylor, and why Richard chose that for his going-away party?

We mentioned that Richard must have been feeling kind of blue...but around the time of Jim's memorial...well, we weren't there with Richard, so we can't really tell how he was feeling.
But he must have been really sad, and perhaps a little scared and confused, too. I mean, he's had to watch some of his friends die, and he's watching his own health start to deteriorate, and he doesn't know what's going to happen to the Muppets, which have been a crucial part of his life since he was 18...

Well, you get the picture. But he was strong enough to get up there and speak to the audience, and to lead the other Muppet performers in song and silliness, so that says something about him.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Well it is often said that we learn more through struggle than we do from success. That sometimes we have to go through a dark, terrible tunnel before we can come out the other end.

Ever heard of the movie Brian's Song? About a real life football player who died of Cancer. The final line of the movie:

"He also left a great many loving friends who miss and think of him often. But when they think of him, it's not how he died that they remember - but how he lived. How he did live!"

 

[Muppet Newsgirl]

Very true. And Steve Whitmire commented that, when Richard held his going-away party, he was trying to have the last word.

After all, that article you posted said, "Richard valiantly continued to live, to inspire and to perform throughout his lengthy battle with AIDS."

I might have said this at one point, but it seems to me that, when Richard was up at the microphone during the memorial, he was comforting the people who were mourning Jim - but he was also comforting the people, in advance, who would be mourning him as well.

 

[CensoredAlso]

it seems to me that, when Richard was up at the microphone during the memorial, he was comforting the people who were mourning Jim - but he was also comforting the people, in advance, who would be mourning him as well.

You're probably right, I think it was an example of turning a negative (and a very big one) into a positive. I think most people really have no idea what to say at memorials/funerals. Most of us don't have to deal with the issue of death in our daily lives (knock wood). Even if they want to be inspirational, they are obviously very caught up in the saddness, confusion and insecurity. But he did have a slightly different perspective on the whole thing, which made a huge difference in the words he chose to deliver to the audience.