How often were you told not to speak ill of the dead? Or, only remember the good? There’s a problem with that. If you only remember the good, you’re choosing to remember a lopsided, partial version of a person. When I was 19, a good friend’s mother died. They lived across the street from me and I’d known Mrs. D since I was 5, and she scared me. I don’t recall her ever smiling. I recall her harsh voice, yelling at her daughter when we played, and a lot of complaining and negativity.
What a wonderful exercise in self examination. This is something I will need to spend time with. I am not ready to remember you. I am loving that fact that we share openly, honestly and deeply. I want to continue to learn new things about you and have the privilege of being able to look at my self in the mirror of your friendship and love. I can’t imagine walking this journey through life without you. I love you.
Thank you for giving so many people permission honestly. I absolutely loved this piece. I feel like I have grown up in funeral homes and have heard every kind of eulogy. Some honest, some funny and some just wrong. In the end we get to choose how we want to remember people. Just like you wrote I try to remember the whole person not part of them.
You!! I love your self awareness and humor.
When I am no longer here I would love people to remember my strength, my morals and my willingness to help. I know it caused pain a lot but it was in line with my values. I want them to remember me hula-hooping and skipping because the child in me never left. I want them to remember a loving human capable of loving the world and only just learning to love herself.
Thank you my friend for this remarkable post. I hope you are here for many years to come because I want to remember our friendship and you.
When I’m Dead, Will You Remember Me?
What a wonderful exercise in self examination. This is something I will need to spend time with. I am not ready to remember you. I am loving that fact that we share openly, honestly and deeply. I want to continue to learn new things about you and have the privilege of being able to look at my self in the mirror of your friendship and love. I can’t imagine walking this journey through life without you. I love you.
Ginni,
Thank you for giving so many people permission honestly. I absolutely loved this piece. I feel like I have grown up in funeral homes and have heard every kind of eulogy. Some honest, some funny and some just wrong. In the end we get to choose how we want to remember people. Just like you wrote I try to remember the whole person not part of them.
You!! I love your self awareness and humor.
When I am no longer here I would love people to remember my strength, my morals and my willingness to help. I know it caused pain a lot but it was in line with my values. I want them to remember me hula-hooping and skipping because the child in me never left. I want them to remember a loving human capable of loving the world and only just learning to love herself.
Thank you my friend for this remarkable post. I hope you are here for many years to come because I want to remember our friendship and you.