My Obituary
This last weekend, I went to the funeral of the father of a friend of mine. It was a celebration of the life of a very good man. I was very impressed listening to the remembrances of his children and grandchildren. His two sons spoke of the memories that their father made with them. He was a man who made the effort to make the most of his life and be very involved with his children. He didn't let the world hold him back in his enjoyment of life. All in all, I enjoyed the funeral. I have been to many funerals, presided as bishop in several, and I can honestly say there have been few that impressed me as deeply as this one.
As I listened, I felt the whisperings of the spirit. I wondered what my obituary would say. I wondered what my children would tell the people that attended my funeral. I wondered what things I would be remembered for.
There is an episode of Frazier in which Frazier goes into the Emergency Room for some small thing, gets irritated and leaves. When his name is called, another man takes his place. This other man passes away, and the media gets the news of the passing of Frazier himself. Because of that, the paper publishes an obituary. Frazier is not happy of the things that are in his obituary, and writes his own. Then he wants to fulfill those things that he writes.
One of my favorite recent shows is The Bucket List. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman do an incredible job together to represent two older men that are nearing death. Together they fill a list of items on their "Bucket List" or things that they want to do before they kick the bucket. It is delightful show with a great message.
Since the funeral the other day, I have been considering my own obituary and wondering what I would put on my bucket list. I wondered often what my spouse, friends and children would say at my funeral. Even more importantly, I would wonder what they would feel inside... the unspoken more than the spoken.
I am going to continue to ponder this, and perhaps create my own bucket list. Nothing outrageous, like in the movie, but what I want of my life. Not what I want to DO, but more what I want to BE.
And maybe, just maybe, write my own obituary.
Just ramblin'
David
As I listened, I felt the whisperings of the spirit. I wondered what my obituary would say. I wondered what my children would tell the people that attended my funeral. I wondered what things I would be remembered for.
There is an episode of Frazier in which Frazier goes into the Emergency Room for some small thing, gets irritated and leaves. When his name is called, another man takes his place. This other man passes away, and the media gets the news of the passing of Frazier himself. Because of that, the paper publishes an obituary. Frazier is not happy of the things that are in his obituary, and writes his own. Then he wants to fulfill those things that he writes.
One of my favorite recent shows is The Bucket List. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman do an incredible job together to represent two older men that are nearing death. Together they fill a list of items on their "Bucket List" or things that they want to do before they kick the bucket. It is delightful show with a great message.
Since the funeral the other day, I have been considering my own obituary and wondering what I would put on my bucket list. I wondered often what my spouse, friends and children would say at my funeral. Even more importantly, I would wonder what they would feel inside... the unspoken more than the spoken.
I am going to continue to ponder this, and perhaps create my own bucket list. Nothing outrageous, like in the movie, but what I want of my life. Not what I want to DO, but more what I want to BE.
And maybe, just maybe, write my own obituary.
Just ramblin'
David
posted by UtahToad | 11:24 AM
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