This weekend I was reading snippets of Forever, Erma. Erma Bombeck was a beloved humorist who passed away too soon. I loved, loved the wit she brought to marriage, parenting, and life in general. The book is a collection of 200 of her columns. At the end of this book, the final chapter, is a multitude of tributes from friends, family, fans, colleagues and people whose lives she touched. It's a lovely, lovely end to the book. It got me thinking though. How do I want to be remembered when I pass?
First-let it be known far and wide- I do not want a traditional funeral. Don't mourn my passing- celebrate my life. Don't put me on display- take my ashes and scatter them on Granny's (now Kevin's) back 40. If you want to memorialize me- plant a tree, or two, and place a bench in what will be underneath it/them and then use it as a place to go when you want peace and quiet. Now that we have the particulars out of the way.....
Overall, I hope that I am remembered as kind, as strong, as stubborn (because we HAVE to be honest) as honest, as loyal and as hardworking.
I hope my family (blood and chosen) remembers me as loving and as the one who was always there for them when they needed me.
To take it a branch out further- here's what I hope the many, many kids (most of whom are now grown up) that have worked with me and become part of my extended family remember me simply as the one who always believed in them, even when they didn't and who always has their back- even now.
That's it. I think that's how I want to be remembered. Not for my illness, not for my age, but for how I (hopefully) touched people's lives.
How about you?
1 comment:
If people simply smile and say nothing more than "He was a good guy", my life will have been a success. Loved your comments.
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