Life & Death

Went to a memorial service today for the husband of one of my Mom's best friends. He was 72. I remember him well, and while he was a good guy - he was also a very strict father (as I recall, and I used to babysit for the kids and so I was around him quite often). A task master kind of Dad who made them do things by his rules. The kids were afraid of him, and some of that came out today during the eulogies they wrote for him. But...they thanked him for teaching them right from wrong, how to persevere, that they could do anything they put their minds to. In the end, the "rough" way he raised them seems to have benefited them in life.

And it seems to me that when a person dies, we seem to immortalize them to a certain degree. We forget their failings and any heartache they may have caused us. After they are gone, it seems that we can only remember the good things they did. How much we will miss them. How they changed our lives. I suppose that's how it's supposed to be...but why don't we do that while they are still alive?

So how do you want to be remembered? As a tough leader who imparted wisdom in everyone they met? As a softie who let the world walk all over them, but was a friend to everyone? I wonder what people will say about me - what will they remember about me after I'm gone? Will I become an instant Super-Hero in their eyes, or am I already a Super-hero (do I even WANT to be a Super-Hero??).

Oh, and one more thing: I want people to wear name tags at my funeral/memorial service. I don't want my loved ones trying to figure out who is who. They'll have enough on their minds with trying to think of lovely things to say about me!! :o)