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Shakespeare
And when I shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
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Statement from Vice President Joe Biden
It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life. The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words. We know that Beau’s spirit will live on in all of us—especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children, Natalie and Hunter.
Beau’s life was defined by service to others. As a young lawyer, he worked to establish the rule of law in war-torn Kosovo. A major in the Delaware National Guard, he was an Iraq War veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star. As Delaware’s Attorney General, he fought for the powerless and made it his mission to protect children from abuse.
More than his professional accomplishments, Beau measured himself as a husband, father, son and brother. His absolute honor made him a role model for our family. Beau embodied my father’s saying that a parent knows success when his child turns out better than he did.
In the words of the Biden family: Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known.
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By way of Donna Dem
If tears could build a stairway
and thoughts a memory lane
VP Joe would walk right up to heaven
and bring you home again
You were gone before they knew it
And only God knows why.
You were the best of all of them
And the twinkle in your families eye
With heart’s still active in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know.
And now they know you’d want them
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has so much in store.
Since you’ll never be forgotten
Your family pledges today
A hallowed place within their hearts
Is where you’ll always stay.
Author Unknown
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If you would like to leave some words of condolences for the Biden family, the White House has graciously provided a way to do so here
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by Meta
I went back and found some notes I wrote to a friend when I saw Beau Biden and Kamala Harris give a talk on gun reform in July 2013. I want to share them with you because the overwhelming feeling I got from him was that he was such a great human being:
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The first thing that comes to your mind when you see Beau Biden is how much he looks like his father. I mean, really, really looks like his father, and with some of the same mannerisms. Then you listen to him speak and what comes across is just how smart, compassionate and dedicated he is when he talks about his work and his family. He talked about his Dad a lot.
He and Kamala are long-time friends and they spoke about the challenge of working on common sense gun reform. Beau talked about his experience with this issue in particular as AG for Delaware. He spoke for about 20 minutes or so and then took questions for at least another hour. He was very, very generous with his time and did his best to address questions that were very challenging. Kamala Harris is also gorgeous and crazy smart. She projects strength and courage in so many, many ways, I’m just thrilled that she is my AG. SO, these are two very distinguished rising stars in our party and we should be very proud of them. I want to encourage all of us to keep track and support them both in any way we can.
After the event I walked up to him just to thank him. I waited patiently as he was mobbed with people wanting to give him their card and introduce themselves and have a photo taken. Then Christine Pelosi walked up next to me and when Beau was free, I told her to go ahead and get in there and meet him. He was very glad to meet her and they talked for a few minutes about the work she’s doing now and some of the stuff that’s happening now with PBO and VPB on gun reform. They both talked about how much they loved PBO’s remarks on Trayvon in the WH briefing room and Beau said he thought PBO should do more of that because he’s so good at it. Then when the moment came, he turned toward me and I shook his hand and thanked him for his service and just said I want to wish him the best in this very tough fight. He was soooooo sweet and thanked me. I told him I love his father very much and he seemed very touched by that. He looked at me and said, you know, my father is really, in real life, really a very nice man, a very good man. I said, I know! That is why I love him! And your mother, too. He said, yes, my mother, too. I thanked all three of them for their service to our nation. He seemed very sincerely touched by that. He said he’s going to need a lot of help when the legislature looks at his gun reform bill again in Delaware in January and I said if I can help, I will. He smiled and thanked me and said, please stay in touch with me. Please join my Facebook page. I smiled and said, OK.
Honestly, Beau is just a very warm, honest man and one of the most sincere guys you’ll ever meet. Just a wonderful man. And again, OMG, just very, very handsome in person, incredibly fit. Anyway, I so wish you could have been there with me. It was very, very special. My admiration for them both for taking on this incredibly important issue is truly boundless.
###
I’m know that VP Joe must be inconsolable. I cannot imagine losing a son, losing such a bright star. I hope in the days to come he will find a measure of comfort from the outpouring of love and respect the world over. He and Jill are so beloved.
****
The world remembers a beautiful soul
****
Robert Burns
An honest man here lies at rest,
The friend of man, the friend of truth,
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d;
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.
****
https://twitter.com/bxanden/status/604867789426421760
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Robert Louis Stevenson
Under the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me;
“Here he lies where he longed to be,
Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.”
****
****
****
Stephen O’Brien
I will wait for you…
Though we never had a chance to say goodbye,
Remember me…
When winter snows are falling through a quiet sky
I’ll remember you
When, in our darkest hour,
You held my hand and prayed I wouldn’t go,
But a silent voice called out to me;
My time had come, and I had to travel Home…
Since then, I know your life has never been the same,
For I visit you each day:
So many times I’ve felt your pain:
I’ve watched you cry:
And I’ve heard you call my name…
But now, further along life’s road I stand
In a timeless world, just beyond your sight,
Waiting for the day when I can take your hand and bring you across
to this land of Golden Light…
Till then, remember me, you understand-and try not to cry.
But if you do:
Let your tears fall
For the happiness and joy we knew,
And for the special love we shared,
For love can never die.
****
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Author Unknown
Don’t cry for me now I have died, for I’m still here I’m by your side,
My body’s gone but my soul’s is here, please don’t shed another tear,
I am still here I’m all around, only my body lies in the ground.
I am the snowflake that kisses your nose,
I am the frost, that nips your toes.
I am the sun ,bringing you light,
I am the star, shining so bright.
I am the rain, refreshing the earth,
I am the laughter, I am the mirth.
I am the bird, up in the sky,
I am the cloud, that’s drifting by.
I am the thoughts, inside your head,
While I’m still there, I can’t be dead.
****
****
The Obama Diary 
RIP Beau Biden.
Beautiful Beau.
Love ya Nerdy, I really do – this is so, so, so beautiful. Thank you.
Thanks so much Nerdy and Chips and LP for bringing us together in sorrow with music, poetry, remembrances, tweets, and hugs to honor Beau Biden and his remarkable family.
Oh my gosh, I’m in tears again.
Thank you for such a moving tribute, NW. This kind of family is a rare thing, indeed.
Thanks Nerdy for this wonderful post and tribute to Beau and the Biden Family. May he rest in peace. Thanks Donna, Meta, and all the TODers who have provided us with inspiring thoughts, recollections, tributes, etc.
Taking a break from spring cleaning and such, reading all the tributes for Beau, and I just have to leave you all now. Tears- for someone I never knew, but know in my heart his goodness. Such a loss. VP, the family, the Obamas, and all TOD- will say a prayer tonight, once again, for healing. And many thanks for a home to express my grief. Be blessed.
Nerdy, I can’t thank you enough for this. Your genius for creating a narrative brought all the emotion and grief of this day into one compelling whole. We’ve all been casting about trying to express feelings that are too painful for words. We all love Joe Biden. He is one of our family; a part of our hearts. I’ve heard people and here on other sites talk about their own loved ones who died young or of a similar disease and I can see this tragic event bringing people together. That’s a good thing that can come about even in the darkest time. You have to acknowledge grief, incorporate into your heart and into your own experiences in order to make any sense of life and go on. This was an important step for the TOD family. Thanks for making it happen.
Thank you Nerdy, Chips, and everyone who posted songs, poems of a loving tribute to our VP Biden’s first born, Beau Biden. I can’t imagine what they are going through but thank God they have the love of POYUS, FLOTUS, family and friends as well as Americans and people all over the country praying for them and sending much love.
Thank you Nerdy, Chips & LL for these tributes to Beau Biden.
Healing prayers to our SOS, John Kerry who broke his femur in a bicycle accident.
Thank you to Nerdy, Chips,Meta, Yardarm, Donna and all of TOD who contributed to this daylong tribute. I have nothing to add but gratitude for all of you that pulled yourselves together to respond as you did.
The past few months leading up to last night’s tragedy must have been immeasurebly hard but I am certain The Bidens got and will continue to get great support from their friends and family members. Not that anything can do very much to ease the pain of losing a son. POTUS and FLOTUS are visiting them now. Good.
A loss like this restores perspective. For me, at least. I have no idea what the Senate is up to tonight, and honestly, Do Not Care.
this was a beautiful tribute. thank you.
Excerpts from a poem by e.e. cummings read at my own father’s memorial service, now with thoughts of Joe and Beau Biden:
my father moved through dooms of love
through sames of am through haves of give,
singing each morning out of each night
my father moved through depths of height
joy was his song and joy so pure
a heart of star by him could steer
and pure so now and now so yes
the wrists of twilight would rejoice
keen as midsummer’s keen beyond
conceiving mind of sun will stand,
so strictly (over utmost him
so hugely) stood my father’s dream.
scorning the pomp of must and shall
my father moved through dooms of feel;
his anger was as right as rain
his pity was as green as grain
septembering arms of year extend
less humbly wealth to foe and friend
than he to foolish and to wise
offered immeasurable is
my father moved through theys of we,
singing each new leaf out of each tree
(and every child was sure that spring
danced when they heard my father sing)
and nothing quite so least as truth
– i say though hate were why men breathe –
because my father lived his soul
love is the whole and more than all
Beautiful, Judith. Thank you for sharing this poem.
Nerdy…What an incredibly moving expose about Beau Biden….beautiful….so very beautiful…
thank you so much…
A very touching memorial, NerdyW!
Thanks so much, Chips Chica, NerdyW, and Lib_L – your loving creation of these frameworks wherein we can all pay tribute to Beau Biden and his family has been much appreciated!
In their living and in their service, the Bidens have done an excellent job of nurturing love in the hearts and minds of people who do not know them personally, yet who feel irrevocably connected to them.
RIP BEAU.
BEAUTIFUL YARDARM………………
Thanks Sue. I thought so too when I saw it. 🙂
Thank you Yardarm for your thoughtful post.
Thank you for this yardarm. I am always looking for words of art to offer grieving families. This is lovely and comforting.
Beautiful, Yardarm! Thank you.
Perfection. Thank you Sailor!
Thank you Nerdy for the gorgeous to this truly good man.
You know him by those who love him.
I have a collage of tunes for you that I’ll put up later.
this is good – thanks YardArm!
Beautiful tribute to Beau Biden, NW. Thank you so much.
The poems help, though it’s crushing to think that young Hunter Biden (carrying his Grandmother’s maiden name, like his Uncle Hunter) no longer has his Father, whom he clearly adored/worshipped. Beau’s son is in the same situation he was in when his Mother and sister were killed in 1972. A continuing cycle of grief, which young Hunter will no doubt use to propel himself to value public service and continue in Grandpa Joe’s tradition.
I’m struck by the fact that virtually everyone, including our dear Meta, who met Beau Biden could see what a genuinely caring person he was.
So, so tragic. You know that @FLOTUS had to be with the Bidens today, to hug both of them — as Hugger-in-Chief, you just know that this is true. And @POTUS — abandoned by his Father at a young age, losing his Mother when she was only 52, and losing his Grandmother Toots just a day before being elected President — you know his depth of grief for Joe and Jill is truly immense.
Now I’m crying again, just like these people who personally knew Beau:
OT-The Senate rethugs are in a big pissing contest….fun to watch! 😆
Thank you for this beautiful tribute. “Goodnight, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” (“Hamlet”)
Such a shock to hear the news – I had no idea he was so ill. 😦 We were fortunate to meet Beau Biden one time, in Iowa City in October 2007 when he substituted for his dad at the Johnson County Democrat BBQ. He gave a great speech and was such a refreshing change from the career politicians at the event – I was hoping we’d see more of him. RIP, Beau Biden.
Thanks for sharing. ❤
A Beautiful Tribute To Joseph “Beau” R. Biden. Great job NW.
TOD has done an excellent job delivering Caring Tribute to Beau Biden.
Rest In Peace, Major Beau Biden.
I HAVE BEEN GONE ALL DAY AND THE SKIES HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATELY GREY…………………………….:(
THS HAS BEEN AN EXTREMELY SAD DAY AND I DON’T KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT ANY BETTER!
i know how you feel sue…((huggs))
Hello TOD.
Partly cloudy and with a perfect cool breeze in MN all day.
How Great Thou Art is one of my favorite Hymns. Since learning of the death of Beau Biden, That is the only sound I have been able to sing and hum for some comfort.
This is such a truly beautiful and thoughtful tribute, Nerdy. Thank you so much. RIP Beau Biden. My deepest condolences to all of the Biden Family, we hold you in our hearts.
On CNN I caught afew minutes of Rand Paul running his flipping mouth, I got tired of his B.S. and turn the channel. Rand Paul is a stinking pile of B.S.
RAND PAUL KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT HOW TERRORISTS WORK….AND HE DOESN’T KNOW WHERE TO WEAR HIS ZIPPER…THESE GUYS ARE NUTS AND AN EMBARRASMENT!
I AM JUST PLAIN SICK TODAY…HAD TO TAKE AN ELDER LADY OUT FOR AWHILE…OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE STAYED HOME TO WATCH THE COVERAGE…MY PRAYERS AND TEARS ARE WITH THE BIDEN FAMILY…HEARTWRENCHING!
YES WE ARE…WHEN ONE OF OUR FAMILY BREAKS…WE ALL BREAK!
Thank you all for the kind words.
Last night and today have been sad to say the least. I broke down in tears when I heard the tragic news. The Bidens like the Obamas feel like family. The kindness, graciousness, compassion, and love they have for this country and continue to show in numerous ways is awe inspiring. They have gone through so much yet continue to give back with love and live life to the fullest. I am beyond humbled by what an extraordinary family we are lucky to call our own.
I send all the comfort in the world to them in this heartbreaking moment and I thank them for everything they have done and continue to do to improve this world.
Rest in peace, Beau Biden.
{{{{{NW}}}}}
Thank you for your tribute to Beau Biden and to what the Biden Family means to all of us and to humanity.
❤ {{{{{ NerdyWonka }}}}} ❤ NW, you have made a masterful tribute to a brilliant family. God is smiling on you, and is holding them close in His Heart. I am so sure.
I feel the same way NW. Thanks for putting it into such beautiful words. I am still crying.
❤ ❤ ❤
Presented without comment mainly because I don’t know what to think:
After 5,000+ in Vermont, a late addition to Bernie’s schedule on the way to Iowa brought an overflow crowd of 3,700+ to Minneapolis. Overflow listening outside.
Is there any candidate currently in or contemplating the run for The Presidency in 2016 who can do this?
Well, Vicki, we know of at least one actual leader who ostensibly is ‘contemplating’ candidacy. If he enters, he’ll dwarf those numbers.
For the moment, Bernie is probably the only declared candidate who doesn’t have to pay folk and bus them to a rally 😉
Agree on both your points, Bob.
I steer all the half-ass Republican/Libertarians who are disgusted with the GOP. I tell them if they want an “anti-Obama/Hillary-anti-war-anti-trade-anti-big-business-anti-wall-streeter to check out Bernie Sanders website and see if he fills most of your wants for President.
http://www.c-span.org/video/?326227-2/us-senate-debate-nsa-surveillance&live
Motion Passes…70-14
76/17
Crossing the Bar
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Lovely. Thank you for taking the time to post this.
Thank you so much for another beautiful tribute to Beau Biden on TOD NW.
It’s a comfort to be here.
I -I
Obrigada
Edward Snowden will never be a hero to me. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sickening, the lot of them. Assange, Greenwald and the deranged and ranting Rand Paul.
77 Yes votes
17 No vote…..
Paul can’t filibuster any more.
The House Compromised bill will get passed in just a few hours.
Rand Paul…..had his ego stroked……Why?…..McConnell failed to Lead!
Cloture has taken place 77/17…Ron Paul is on the floor of the senate…lying his ass off
Rand is Nutz.
Rant Paul.
Vicki, just like his racists Dad.
Afternoon/evening/morning all.
This is an amazing tribute, Nerdy. Brava.
wow…he is lying…
I’m watching rugby (Aviva Premiership final, Bath v. Saracens), and having a cocktail. I don’t care to subject myself to Ayn Rand’s lies.
yeah…i understand…but sometimes i feel like i fell down the rabbit’s hole
In Casa de LL news:
Last Sunday I started the ball rolling on tearing up our front yard and replacing it with river stone and drought-resistant plants.
Today I started the ball rolling on putting solar on the roof.
Major projects to keep track of.
Really big projects! Good luck.
ooo good for you LL! Go man go! 🙂
This is an incredibly lovely tribute post to the Biden family and Beau in particular. Thank you so much Nerdy for your fine attention to detail. It matters and shows every time to put together a post.
Thank you NW for this amazing tribute to Beau and the Biden’s. This just breaks my heart for that family. Everyone here has posted so man great poems and feelings, I am just saying Thank YOu.
Ok, stay good, my people. Off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday. See everyone tomorrow.
All CNN and MSNBC wanted to talk about was how those five would be back on the battlefield, I think this shut them up for awhile. Now they can go back talking about their darling Rand Paul.
I wanted to thank everyone here that posted such lovely poems in tribute to Beau Biden and his family.
They are lovely poems indeed.
This sustained me through my grief. I love this one from Josh Groban as well.
Josh Groban is always one of my go to artists when I’m having a bad day or just need some stress relief. Thanks!
He is one of the best.
Mine too, thanks vetivera.
Evening everyone. Wanted to say thanks to NW for this wonderful tribute. My heart breaks for the Biden Family. Such a devastating loss…for all of us.
I lost an aunt this week as well, so feeling doubly sad. Thanks TOD for this place to come to.
(((((((dakota))))))
Thank you PF.
So sorry for you loss, {{{{Dakota}}}} May your aunt rest in peace.
Thank you meta.
Condolences to you and your family, Dakota.
Thank you Bob. Much appreciated.
Sorry to hear of your loss Dakota. May your Aunt rest in peace. Sending vibes of comfort and peace to you & your family.
Thank you HF. She is definitely resting now.
{{{Dakota}}}} my condolence to you and your family.
{{{Gail}}} Thank you so much.
❤
{{{{{Dakota}}}}}
So sorry for your loss, Dakota. My prayers for your family.
{{Dakota}} so sorry about the loss of your aunt. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Very sorry for your loss, Dakota. May she rest in peace.
{{{{{Dakota}}}}}
Man Nerdy – thanks for putting together this beautiful tribute and all the contributions from TOD. This is just so sad.
oh and Meta if you are around thank for sharing your experience in meeting Beau. It helps me to understand what we have lost. What a terrible thing to have happened.
Thank you very much, a4alice.
Me too, thank you
NW, this is a beautiful tribute/memorial to Beau Biden and the Biden family. I am especially touched by the picture of Beau with his hand on his father’s face – so touching and loving.
This is a wonderful tribute to the late Beau Biden. Thanks to everyone for sharing your hearts and minds.
Beau is peacefully sleeping. Cherish the memories of a wonderful human being.
Peace.
🙂
{{{{{ TOD }}}}}
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/31/the-bidens-strength-courage-grace-love/
Good evening, TOD! Heartbroken about the news of Beau’s passing. I got to know VP Biden when he was in the Senate and I worked at Office of the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant. Many a Friday I rode the Amtrak with him and Sen Spector. Got re-acquainted with him after I retired an moved back to this area — I live just 15 minutes from the Delaware border. Last spoke with him during the 2008 campaign.
I met and worked on Veterans issues with Beau and Haley during the 2008 campaign. Beau was a carbon copy of his Dad — genuine, down to earth, compassionate and full of integrity.
Unfortunately, I know the VP’s pain… I pray for the Biden Family.