Have you thought about what you want people to say about you when you are gone? I’m not talking about vacation…I’m talking about your obituary.
There are probably three groups of people who will miss you: your family, your friends, and your co-workers. What would you like each group to say about you? I’ve been thinking about this. It might mean I need to do something different so these people will feel the way I want them to feel about me…It might mean working on myself...
SO HERE I GO….
Family: Sharon loved us. She was a devoted Mom. She helped her husband advance his career and loved him until the day she died. She tried to live her life in a manner that would make God proud. She could be serious or silly, whatever the occassion required. She was strong when our family went through hard times. She was a supportive sister and was good to her parents.
Friends: Sharon was fun to be around. She knew how to put on an event. I always left her parties feeling like I was the guest of honor. She was a great listener. She knew when to listen and when to give advice. She always remembered to say thank you and she always did favors without expecting anything in return.
Co-workers (including blogging friends) and former students: She inspired me be more than I thought I could be. She always was happy for other people’s successes. She never stopped being my friend, even when she moved away. She was always thinking of me…Out of the blue I’d get an email with a suggestion related to what I was writing, studying or doing in my classroom.
Cats: Who’s Sharon and where's my dinner?
Dog: Who’s gonna take a nap with me in the afternoon?
(Yep, I’ve got room to work.)
Don’t rush into posting a comment. This maybe something you just want to think about it and keep to yourself. The point of the post is…LIVE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE REMEMERED. If I haven’t been there for you, yet, I’ll do better…Life is too short to have regrets.
BIG HUG TO ALL OF MY READERS AND THANKS…
I'd like someone at some point to remember that I loved God and maybe made my kids laugh now and then.
ReplyDeleteReally good points, Tess. :)
ReplyDeleteTess--I told everyone this was something to think about before commenting on. I thought about this for a week before I posted...yet, I still had to edit and revise.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Tess's comments - and I'll bet because they came to mind so quickly, they're things she's already known for. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the cats comment...so true!
ReplyDeleteSusan--I agree not only does she have a beautiful writing voice, everything that comes out of her mouth shows what a wonderful person she is.
ReplyDeleteSo nice and a little morbid at the same time! :) You are so right though to live as you want to be remembered. I think I'd cry if I tried to write mine, I really would! I just can't think of leaving my family in any way!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you spent some time on this! It's really a very profound exercise. You must have learned so much about yourself.
ReplyDeleteMy dad, wonderful man, told me nothing is going to matter but the people you love. And I believe that. Not the house. Not the job. Not even the book. We would all trade them for love. I would. Thanks for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteKelly--The purpose of the exercise it to think about your life and refocus on what is most important. It is scary thinking about not being here for your family...Doing the exercise made me realize some of my shortfalls and what I need to do to fix them.
ReplyDeleteMG--I did learn a lot about myself...I have room for improvement.
ReplyDeleteJudith--Your Dad is a wise man. After I finished this post I started thinking about other groups of people and what I want them to think of me...Last month I did a post on giving compliments to strangers, I know strangers won't care when I'm gone. I'd hope the people I consitantly chat to at the gym might miss me a little. :)
Mine is quite simple. This is how I want to be remembered.
ReplyDeleteShe was a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend.
Notice that I didn't put "great writer." That doesn't mean I don't want to be a great writer, but it's more important for me to be a great mother and sister and wife and daughter and friend. If I can be those things, then I lived life well.
I love the sentiment of this post. Life is too short! We have to make every second count. Thanks Sharon!
ReplyDeleteLove the cat one!
ReplyDeleteI would want someone to mention that it wasn't so much who I was, what I did, but how I made everyone feel around me. I want how I lived to be not so much about me as about inspiring others to be what they can be.
Buffy--I didn't put "I want to win a caldecott" on my list, but I sure want to. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa & Laura--Live life to its fullest...love the same way...
Jackee--Well said!
awww...you guys are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteAww, those are really sweet and lovely eulogies!
ReplyDeleteDaisy--Thanks for dropping by! I realized after I wrote the post I should have called them my eulogy...
ReplyDeleteTHAT is a very deep, thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteShelli--Thanks...I thought I'd share my journey of self improvement with the world. :)
ReplyDeleteJennie--Deep thoughts are pretty unusual for me, so I hope everyone enjoys them. LOL
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has thought abou this. I want to be remembered as one who shared the gospel with others and who cared about living life.
ReplyDeleteTerri--Your comment flowed so easily that I am sure the people who know you will remember you that way. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is great Sharon and very thought provoking. I want people to remind me as kind, selfless, and a wonderful friend and family member. :) Also of course a believer in Christ! :)
ReplyDeleteOcean Dreams--I'm glad you liked the post. It's a wierd thing to think about when you are alive, but it's something to consider...
ReplyDelete