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Sun | November 13, 2005

Eulogy, 11-12-05, Oms Cafe, snug, wrapped in seaweed

What can I say about my father, Anakin Skywalker. He was an inspiration to me in the last days of his life. The Force was strong in him despite the Emperor's evil, dark, seductive side. True, he tried to destroy me several times in his day. Well, I though his stormtrooper minions were too aggressive. Like the time Father ordered the execution of Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru on Tatooine, destroyed my sister's planet of Alderaan and systematically executed my brethren Jedi. All this I forgive because, in truth, he was kind-hearted underneath all that armor.

Yet, my father had a wonderful sense of wonder and curiosity as a boy. As a child slave to Watto, a junk trader, his ability to fix and engineer droids became impeccable. So much so that to this day, C3PO is one of my loyal protocol servants. Another trait he developed was becoming a skilled pilot and pod driver. I never encountered such stories of winning races Father ran through Beggar's Canyon in and around Mos Eisley.

Talent aside, he was very close to his mother, Shmi, who later lost her life as a prisoner to the Sand People. His discovery by Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn as a padawan Jedi enveloped his young being. The council did not see then any potential in him, especially, Jedi Master Yoda. Never the less, Qui-Gon Jinn endeavored to proceed with Anakin's training. As you all well know, my friends, he wasn't a great learner, always impetuous and a bit reckless. Just like myself. However, his anger slowly turn into rage which became self-evident by the slaughter of the Tusken Raiders - the Sand People. It was later found in time that Anakin provided for the orphans left behind at the village well into adulthood. These contradictions always accompanied him.

As I stand by the funeral pyre, we witness a man conflicted by what he stood for and his prodigy meant to withhold. In the moment in which I lost my hand during the struggle at Bespin, he confessed to me that, he, was my father. "Search your feelings," he said. I couldn't barely feel my right hand, yet, at that moment, I knew he lost the same limb. Jedi masters Obi-wan Kenobi and Yoda were right. The Force surrounds and penetrates us yet never confirms suspicions or whims. It is ashame that I've spent nearly half my life battling the Empire, to see several worlds destroyed, epic destruction of naval vessels on numerous star systems, only to shed a single tear for a father I hardly knew, yet love. I can stand to you all that I forgive this man.

Posted by Heru at November 13, 2005 01:22 PM

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