Mr. Sweet

Today, I intend to talk to you about the spiritual values of the Westers and the Sweets. When I speak, I speak for the Westers. When I speak, I speak for Sweets.

As I considered this moment, I've come to realize that this is probably the letter, which you'd ask for instead of a eulogy. And I'd find myself left with a huge list of bullet points, and other than some bullet points I can't really articulate, what I just went through for thirty-three years. Other than to tell you that Clifford Sweet you are an experience. So, I am going to add some more bullet points to our list and they're just going to be about Clifford.

If nothing else you are a talent magnet. You not only knew how to harness your own potential that you saw in people around you whether using accurate drives that white car or sitting on your own front porch reading the newspaper people knew where to find you right when it counted. You brought greatness, masters of their craft, you trusted them enough to help raise and benefactor your children. Now these same candidates you saw potential in, seek out talent of their own to develop.
Every time you would do that, we find ourselves that much closer. When I think of you, I think of the word father who raised your own children, which you enjoy doing to. I’m told over and over again; take a pause before you say your words choose them correctly. As if you couldn’t believe you got so lucky. Well I have to tell you, Julian and Bret feel very much the same way about you don't mind this addition, as I look around, feeling very stunned how many men and women called you dad. I love Clifford Sweet far more than I love my own grief. To articulate what I love about you is to identify the energy, a principle, an aspect of humanity that we all know as Clifford Sweet. Between myself and this room assembled to honor you, how can I really say you're gone? Tomorrow is a new day and what will not be new is the aspects of all of us that look to find a winning combination of collaboration, and leadership and tactical thinking that are all towards one common good.
What will remain is a host of three generations that realizes to practically take care of myself; we have to take care of our neighbors. Money in of itself cannot create the neighborhoods nor for our children.
What will remain is a belief that we have time to be selflessly and ask ourselves when is my time to be that grown figure that shows up even when no one else will? The attendance and assistance at this event are a fit example of that.

What will remain is a collection of one who is hilarious and taught stories about the man we all adore. I refuse to say goodbye not when I know you helped so many of us emulating these aspects that we love about you so dearly. There's no way I can stand here and consider you gone when your best work still lives in all of us. My passion draws up all your wisdom and understands that collectively, we are Clifford. Forever Clifford. You are the best I could expect to hope for in mankind. A potent, ethical man, who is the foundation of everything I am. The greatest teacher mentor and best friend I could ever asked for.
I want to honor you for this gift you bestowed on me this last six years and I look forward to seeing you again because this is certainly not going to be the last time. Thank you very much to everyone for coming here today. My name is Bret Alexander Sweet and Clifford Charles Sweet is my father.

Corwin: I may never know but I’d like to think that I finally saw what you are and I met someone that I like, someone I could trust and that was with you. I wish that I might have known you even better but I thank you for this much.