Hi everyone, I’m Michael, Emily’s younger brother. I want to thank you all for being here today to celebrate and remember my amazing big sister.
You know, when we were kids, Emily was always the creative one. While I was outside playing sports, she would spend hours doodling or painting these wild, imaginative pictures. Mom and Dad had to get used to finding streaks of finger-paint across the furniture! Even back then, Emily saw the world completely differently than the rest of us. She noticed all the tiny details and beauty that we’d just walk right on by.
That trip to Yellowstone is maybe my favorite memory of Emily. We were hiking along and Emily’s eyes were just lights – she was in absolute heaven surrounded by all that natural wonder. Then this huge herd of bison crossed right in front of us, and I could barely get the camera out fast enough before they were gone. But Emily? She didn’t even flinch. She just started snapping away, catching every moment perfectly. It was like the world slowed down for her so she could really see it.
Emily approached her art the same way. When she landed that huge ad campaign job, she could have played it safe and done what everyone expected. But no, she put her own wild spin on it and made it something completely new. That’s just how she rolled – she saw everything, even work, as a blank canvas to pour her creativity onto.
And pour it out she did! Capturing sunrises over the bay, painting these funky abstract watercolors, or just doodling in the margins of her notebooks – Emily was always creating. Whether it was a fancy awards gala or just hanging at home with friends, Emily stood out with her bright colors and bold style. She wasn’t afraid to express herself.
I think that’s why she loved the outdoors so much. Emily felt most free when surrounded by nature’s beauty. Hiking rejuvenated her spirit. She’d spend entire days happily snapping photos of birds or mountain vistas or whatever else caught her unique eye. To Emily, the whole world was akaleidoscope of inspiration waiting to be expressed.
Expressing herself wasn’t just about art though. Emily filled every part of her life with that same bright, vibrant energy. Her laughter was totally contagious. She always had this wild, new idea to get excited about, whether it was redecorating the kitchen or a impromptu road trip. And she cherished all of you – her friends, her family, her soulmate Alex – with her whole, authentic self. Emily never held anything back from the people she loved.
I could go on for hours sharing stories about how incredibly vivid and alive Emily lived. How she squeezed every drop out of every moment. But I think you all already know that about her. You were lucky enough to experience firsthand her contagious creativity, her fearless self-expression, her compassionate spirit.
So today, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being such an important part of Emily’s masterpiece of a life. Your love and support surrounded her with even more color and vitality. And thank you for being here now to celebrate the beauty she shared with this world. I know wherever she is, Emily wants us to keep living and creating as vibrantly as she did.
My big sis lived with passion, courage and authenticity every single day. While we all miss her brilliant light, may we also carry her creative spirit forward, embracing the kaleidoscope of life with the same enthusiasm she did. If we can each add our own brushstrokes with that much love, then Emily’s masterpiece will never be finished.