"Somewhere over the Rainbow"

Weston B. Haskell 111 1953-2011

My dear friend Sarah's brother Weston was killed in a tragic accident last week. Her family is devatated by the loss of this amazing man/brother/son/father/uncle and friend. Though, I only met Weston once at a party on the island, I felt as though I had known him forever. It is always hard to know what to do to console people in their grief, except to tell them that you care and that you are there for them if they need you.

I decided to do this portrait of Wes and bring it to the service. I asked Sarah's husband Ben about the polka dot hat and should I use that image as reference and he said "Yes, Wes loved that hat". Sure enough, at the lovely touching service today, over half the people were wearing these crazy polka dot hats while we all sang "Somewhere over the Rainbow"

Some where over the rainbow

Way up high,

There's a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue,

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far

Behind me.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly.

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly

Beyond the rainbow

Why, oh why can't I?

And then everybody danced to the music of the Fabulous Icons Blues Band and the winds of Hurricane Irene.

Godspeed Weston.