PromoGuy’s Monday Mission 3.12
1. Since we’ve covered the standard “where do you go when you die” question, let’s get a little deeper. When you do die, would you like to be able to watch your funeral? I suppose I wouldn’t mind seeing who would actually show up, but that could be a bit depressing, unless I accumulate more friends or some measure of fame before I die.
2. Catholics must have the longest funeral services ever. I think there is a lot to be said for the traditions that they keep, but it was just so depressing. I’d like my funeral to be much more upbeat, like those I’ve seen in New Orleans. What type of funeral would you plan for yourself? I would hope it wouldn’t be too solemn. I’d hope someone would sing, someone would have a moving speech about the good I’d done…there would be tears of course but they would be because I was loved.
3. As a child, when I was angry sometimes I would wish that a parent or teacher would die. Thank goodness wishes like those are never granted. I think it probably takes the loss of someone important before you learn the value of life. When did you first realize that life was so fragile? Perhaps when my first pet died. We took Tipps the siamese sable “dwarf” rabbit to the vet, and later that day she died. She was just old. I have lost my grandparents on my father’s side, but unfortunately and to my vast dismay I didn’t know them that well. And now I know what I’ve lost, because they were Cantonese immigrants who could have taught me Chinese customs and the language, how to cook, how to write the symbols…I wish I knew them enough to miss them. Now I can only regret what they can no longer teach me.
4. When we said our final respects to Grandma H. today, I though about her impact on the world. No, she didn’t cure cancer or make sweeping changes to society. But she did leave a legacy of four sons and a daughter, who in turn have children and grandchildren. And maybe that was her purpose, to launch future generations that will accomplish great things. Some of us are here to make a huge splash in the pond of life, others are here to direct the ripples in the water. Of the people you’ve known personally who have passed away, what sort of legacy, impact, mark or achievement did they leave behind? I’m sad to say I don’t know what my grandparents left behind. They left some little bits of culture, but I suppose what they did was awaken a desire to know more about them. This has only come about now that I’m older, which I deeply regret. Perhaps what they did was to come to American and build a new life here so my family could have a better one.
5. One thing that struck me at the funeral, was that there were so many men were dressed in casual clothes. I was brought up to believe that men should always wear a suit to a funeral, as a show of respect. Maybe these men were never taught that. Maybe they just don’t own suits. Maybe that I am just old fashioned and not hip to the times. Do you think there is an “appropriate” way to dress for attending a funeral? Or is it even important? I do think dressing up is important, as a way to honor the deceased. I don’t like unrelieved black, and I hope someone wears something colored at my funeral.
6. Grandma H. was far enough along in life to have been able to plan ahead for her funeral, even down to the tiny details such as song selections. It was nice to finally attend a funeral where they didn’t play “Amazing Grace!” My choices would be “Ode to Joy” and “I’ll Fly Away.” What are some of the more memorable songs you’ve heard played at funerals? Thank God I haven’t been to enough that I have memorable songs. I’d probably like to hear something from Jars of Clay.
7. I’ve been craving some home-made pickles for years now. Not just any, but the kind my dear Great Grandmother made. It’s been over 20 years since she died, but I can still remember just how her dill pickles taste. No one in the family has even attempted to make them since. Today at the funeral I overheard someone wishing that they had asked Grandma H. for her home-made noodle recipe but now it was too late. Do you have any favorite foods that only one relative made, and the recipe died with them? I think I’m lucky in that regard because everyone in my family can cook…and my mom was prodigious in writing the recipies down.
BONUS: Is it true, all of those things that they say about you? I have no idea what people say about me. I’m not around anyone enough to know.
