Every now and then, I check our local City paper online, if only to view the obituaries. Today, as usual, I was not there. One neat thing the paper does is to create a running list with the names of deceased parties, followed by one line zingers. I love this! In nano-seconds, I can learn about the one or two things for which each person will be remembered.
Forrest Gumperson
lumberman
Mabel Baker
kept a pastry shop for forty years
Matthew Strong
enjoyed wrestling
You get the idea. Now, you must realize that some of these descriptions can get more elaborate, describing more than one avocation or interest. I foresee possibilities here, such as “kept bees, and thought she was the Queen Bee.” Things could take an ironic twist, if one were not careful. However, most comments center on military duty, patriotism, church affiliations, service to organizations, and sometimes familial associations.
I have one question for you to think about. If your life were to be summarized in a one line zinger, what would you say about yourself? Additionally, what would your tombstone say? I rather like the old rendition of, “I told you I was sick.” That sums it up completely, doesn’t it, for most folks?
Death is a serious undertaking. Once one has embarked on the course, there’s no turning back. Out of respect, we usually do concentrate on the finer qualities of folks, and we dutifully grieve the “dearly departed.” Some of us do not even hint that we are relieved that the party has ventured on, to receive his or her eternal reward, (or not). I hear that the fires of the netherworld can be pretty uncomfortable, although no one has come back to give testimony.
Yes, I do like the one line zinger idea. I shall have to visit my local publication frequently, to once again, determine that I am not listed in the column, too, and to catch the quick summaries of those who reported being sick, when no one was listening. Pardon my joy in this bizarre and serious topic. Halloween must be just around the corner, or perhaps it is the leaf mold in the air that is affecting my thinking.
Smile. You only get one lifetime to do it.
Patricia Cummings
