In (your) Memory

The last days I spend planning my fathers funeral, in a serious, serene and emotional state. The last thing to do was to write a text that will go on his memorial card. (over here it is tradition to hand out memorial cards at funerals, with a picture of the deceased on it and a text that is usual written by the family, I'm not sure how this is done in other parts of the world).
Anyway,

After all was done and taken care of I sat down with my sister and hubby and we started talking about what text we would like on our memorial cards when we die, if we could choose for ourselves, kind of like your last words to everyone on your funeral.

It didn't take long before our conversation took a humorous turn, maybe not at all that appropriate, but I guess it was the tension of the last days that had to come out.

I started by saying that when I die I would become the family spook and my cards should just read "BOO!"

My husband took it more serene, his card should read " my life was good, don't cry for me"

My sisters chose a text that would completely describe her, her card should read:
"
I came,
I saw,
didn't like it a damn bit
and I'm glad I'm out of here"


So,
what should your card or last message read if it was up to you?

I die without fear and look forward to the next experience.
Think of me not in sorrow, but with love.

To kindly quote the love of my life..
I DIDN'T DO IT!

On a more serious note Gyps..you have brought to my attention something I had never thought of.
I have been quite open with my family what to do with me should I pass on, or become a vegetable incapable of making my own decisions..but I had never thought of what I would want said in my memory...
wow...
gotta dig deep for this.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
I die without fear and look forward to the next experience.
Think of me not in sorrow, but with love.

that says it all, nice one..
so you think your loved ones are going to be able to follow up on that one?

Originally posted by AccessDenied
To kindly quote the love of my life..
I DIDN'T DO IT!

On a more serious note Gyps..you have brought to my attention something I had never thought of.
I have been quite open with my family what to do with me should I pass on, or become a vegetable incapable of making my own decisions..but I had never thought of what I would want said in my memory...
wow...
gotta dig deep for this.

hehe I like that one,

well, the In Memory card is usually written by the family so I don't think it is ever what the person would want it to be...

Let me know what you came up with

Originally posted by GypsK
so you think your loved ones are going to be able to follow up on that one?

I think my husband will, at least. We have similar views about death and have talked about it many times. Of course, he would miss me terribly, but I think he would be able to choose love over sorrow.

I think my card would have to read something like this:

"Thank goodness for that, it took bloody ages!"

"Hey, just so you know, they buried me with your car keys!"

rofl @ those last two
........

< Life > SUCKS < /Life >
I dunno, perhaps I'll put that on my head stone instead.

I dunno, on my card I would like, "Time is too short, time is not that sweet, hey look at me, now I'm under 6 feet".

[edit on 2/17/2010 by Slash]

My parents died a long time ago... it is a strange time
to go through with your emotions and memories.

I often think that I was lucky, my Father was a practical
man, 'if you can't see it, it aint there' was his philosophy
when it came to the here-after.
My Mother believed in a combination of Spiritualism and
Christianity... for her, your ancestors and parents are with
you all the way.

So I look on it as a sad and yet happy time... your loved
ones have ran the race of life, they've set up the next guys
(you!) coming through and now they rest, awaiting the time
when all will meet again.

With that in mind, my note would read:

The roaring river of life and death rushes us on towards
whatever destiny has in store for us and we waste time
floundering and holding our breath for the next waterfall.

But smile as the bubbles of existence tickle your nose and
the occasional comforting feel of the shallow areas brush your
feet, for the river rages on not just for you.
There will be quiet pools to tarry in, there will be drop-offs where
you grasp at the air as you fall towards broiling white water,

And when you finally feel the sea, when you finally taste the
briny water...think of how many you passed on your way, think
how many waved at you through choppy currents, rounded
boulders and from lonely bridges.
Think on how many times you waved back.

We leave a wake in our existence here and the eddys, ripples
and splashes that ensue, effect many lives in the river with us.
My advice?... don't make waves.

Mine would read:

"See you all soon....real soon!"

Or the following (gives me shiny eyes almost):

"We´ve roamed the wild country My beautiful yellow eyes
Side by side we´ve hunted Shadows dancing in northern skies

There have been times of plenty We were content and serene
Peacefully sleeping Dangers few and far between
We´ve also known much hunger Ribs protruding from each side
Mournfully we have howled When our starving cubs have died

And then there was our first winter Romping through the glistening snow
Tasting each crystal snowflake Falling gently to and fro

Ah my dear, sweet yellow eyes I´ve known no greater love
Without You, I am nothing Our souls are one

And now You lay there dying Steel jaws upon Your frame
Life´s blood slowly seeping I whimper Your sweet name
Helpless I watch You struggle Chest heaving with labored breath
Steel jaws clenching tighter Winds whisper the song of Death

The blood has now stopped flowing I know the time is near
And You will forever leave me My love, my life, my dear

And now my world is silent
Your struggles now have ceased
I lay my head upon You
And know You are at peace

Perhaps Your soul has lifted To skies where eagles soar
And there You´ll greet your brothers To run with them forever more

And some day I shall find You.. In the heaven´s so far above
And when our wild souls unite, there´ll be no greater love"


/Joan L. Van Vels

Gee...I can hardly read it...I'm such a wimp at times...
*wipes corner of eye*

"Here, hold this wouldja?"

In all seriousness...

"Always there with a smile or a shoulder, always be missed."

S'how I'd like to remembered.

[edit on 17-2-2010 by RuneSpider]

one thing none of my friends and family know about me is that I keep every single card, note, and letter. In a messy order, but I have them all. I have never recycled a card ever.

So if I was not like 100 years old. Mine would read:

When you look through my things you will see I have saved every note or card anyone has given to me. Just knowing you spent a moment thinking of me, meant much. You can now see how much you all meant to me, because I have kept all the proof all these years.


And lets hope this doesn't happen anytime soon because I have some evidence to get rid of. *grins*


[edit on 17-2-2010 by nixie_nox]

By the way, I think that is nice tradition.

Here in the states, funeral pactices can be extremely varied. As original as the family it happens to.

Though the more catholic oriented give out cards, it usually has a hallmark cross looking picture and a prayer with the persons name and dates.

I like the more personal idea better.

My family tends to have the traditional viewing, and funeral. My husbands, they don't do a thing except have the person cremated and maybe pie at the house for visitors. I have three cremated relatives in my basement. One day we will rent a boat and spread their ashes. They refuse to even see the ashes. I am the only one who knows where they are.Once the person is gone that is it, no more ado.

My cousin in law got freaked out because he is Jewish and my cousin he married is catholic. Jewish tradition is ou get buried in 24 hours in a pine box. He didn't know what a viewing was and was horrified when my cousin's grandfather died and he was laid out.

I have a friend/coworker who is Chinese and she said one of their rules is that older relatives do not go to funerals of younger generations. Because someone died out of turn, and they don't want to aknowledge to (whomever) the unfairness of it.

Mine better say: GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT

If anybody else thinks that being a piece of garbage is worth being alive, then and only then they will understand.

I had memory keep sake cards made up when my son died and then my wife passed.

Had a picture on one side and their name and dates of birth and death on the other.

Nice to keep in your wallet.

Since I am a firm believer in reincarnation, I think my card will say,
"I'll be back".

Haha, I got another one that came to mind yesterday:

Immortality fail

....ooooh, I'm funny.