Monday Mission 3.12
It's a "real fun" Monday Mission, as now I write about Funerals.
1. When you do die, would you like to be able to watch your funeral?
No. Not anymore. When I was little, I read about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, and thought seeing my own funeral would be cool, but now, I think even if I could see it, I wouldnt want to.
2. What type of funeral would you plan for yourself?
Cremation with a memorial party. A wake, if you want to call it that. There has to be some semblance of normalcy and rememberance of fun.
3. When did you first realize that life was so fragile?
A playmate, Weener, had an accident and died by falling off the swings onto the concrete when I was in kindergarten. My friend Tim had a heart attack in second grade, and was in a coma for a while, lost his speech for a while, had a pacemaker put in, but died when I was in eighth grade. My friend Paul from my days playing football died when I was 18 while waiting on a heart transplant. My sister's Chinese roommate drowned while on a camping trip a couple years ago. My best friend died three times in December 2001 before finally stabilizing in a coma and then recovering completely. My friend Shawn died last year.
4. Of the people you've known personally who have passed away, what sort of legacy, impact, mark or achievement did they leave behind?
Tim taught me that geeks stuck together, no matter what. Weener taught me that concrete is not a good place to put a swingset. Paul taught me that sitting the bench was not a bad thing. Jenny was the first Chinese national I knew and taught me that despite the differences in culture, a Methodist tomboy from the midwest and a mother from a communist country across the globe still can have a lot in common. My best friend taught me when you're sick, go to the doctor. My friend Shawn taught me that putting religious beliefs aside, absurd humor makes great friends.
5. Do you think there is an "appropriate" way to dress for attending a funeral? Or is it even important?
It's funny, I still think there is an appropriate way to dress, but I also think it's hard to define. I mean, Daisy Dukes are a bad idea, but khakis (or jeans, I suppose) and a golf shirt would be fine. Casual wins over formal. Grief wins out.
6. What are some of the more memorable songs you've heard played at funerals?
I honestly cant remember any. After all, I've only been to 3. Jenny, Shawn, and Nala's uncle's father.
7. Do you have any favorite foods that only one relative made, and the recipe died with them?
Thank god, all the recipes seem well preserved so far. My great-grandmother's cookies are the very best (ask Nala) no matter who makes them. Both my grandmothers are still alive, although not cooking for others, and my mom has a lot of both of their recipes, and if she doesn't, she knows who to ask.
BONUS: Is it true, all of those things that they say about you?
Thankfully, no.