Ode to Joy

I’m sitting here listening to Indie tunes; trying to let the music carry me to a place where things like death don’t matter so much.

Death is not a topic which isn’t often thought about. We avoid introspective self-evaluations unless there is reason to think about them. I’ve ridiculed people for doing this… and perhaps it’s too early, or maybe it’s too late, but when someone you know is nearing the finish line… it becomes necessary to think about all that matters in life.

I’ve often thought that I would like to have my headstone engraved with an original quote. My plan is to publish a book full of them. It’s not going to be an easy decision, but it will be much easier than writing an obituary. I have reason to believe that I will be asked to do just that. The thought is so daunting that I thought I would write this article as a way of working out how I might approach it.

It’s not that I presume that I have the best things to say… but I do have the ability to arrange words into eloquent strings of coherent thought.  If I do my job right, people will be reminded that there was good reason why they left the house to come to the funeral.  In many ways it is expected that kind words and thoughts should embellish upon things that never were. I understand that it’s about showing honour and respect, but I’ve also come to the awful conclusion that regardless of how important an individual was, their tribute must be as economical as a sheet of 8.5” x 11”

This is the point where you will tell me that I should consider outsourcing.  I’ve read run the advertisements.  Each funeral home competes with the other on its ability to provide “optimum convenience.” They even offer to write the obituary as a way to minimize“stress” on the family.

There’s nothing worse than reading a tribute about someone that talks about how much they liked to watch sports, and make jig-saw puzzles.  If the intent is to be as superficial as it sounds, than allowing a perfect stranger to summarize the life of a loved one is probably worth the $50.00 add-on.

The thought occurred to me that I might very well request that my future wife not wear black to my funeral, but I wouldn’t want her to wear red either. It’s a rather stupid death wish, but I fully expect that she will honour it. The symbolism, in this case, is theoretically more important than the accurate reflection of her emotional state. 

It would be so interesting to witness human existence with a bird’s eye point of view. When I first started writing this article this phrase came to mind: Relevant knowledge of the most frustrating nature.

That’s exactly how I must conclude, because there is no resolution. We can observe it happening, and that is all. My views may seem ridiculous, and a tad bit melodramatic, but I have a proposition for you: If I die, instead of spending 3.5 hours staring at my ghostly figure…  give your time to someone who could use a friend.