I don’t plan to have a funeral. I think it’s best to fade away without any hoopla. But for those interested in one in my memory (hopefully, far in the future), here’s a blog version…
Epitaph
“I hope all those I harmed, either by my actions or inactions, found a measure of happiness in their lives that made the suffering they endured worth it.”
Videos
I’m not religious, but I love these two beautiful videos with a spiritual theme…
My goddaughter, nieces, and nephews are what made my life worth it. I believe I had the best life because of them and the love they filled my heart with. My younger niece Jacquelyn and I watched the “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” video many times together, a memory I always cherished…
Committal
This is one of my favorite quotes…
“Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one’s head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no tomorrow. To forget time, to forgive life, to be at peace.”
Oscar Wilde, The Canterville Ghost
Final thoughts
The great physicist Richard Feynman was asked if only one sentence could be passed on to the survivors in a post-apocalyptic society, one in which all previous knowledge was destroyed, and which contained the most information in the fewest words, and this is what he said: “All things are made of atoms — little particles that move around in perpetual motion, attracting each other when they are a little distance apart, but repelling upon being squeezed into one another.”
This one sentence is a brilliant summary of the foundation of Atomic Theory and would give them a headstart on regaining the lost scientific knowledge.
If I were likewise asked to provide a single sentence to these survivors, I’d say: “Fear eternal life more than death.” This advice, I believe, would allow them the greatest chance at happiness.
Such a gift to have enjoyed your goddaughter, nieces and nephews. Watching children delight in simple joys, like the bouncing of a ball or singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, puts life in perspective. You have helped more than harmed and brought laughter and wisdom to many. And when you die a really long time from now, I’m going to watch all these videos.