We’re all going down.
People, it’s sad but it’s true: nothing’s gonna stop your big final drop. So live it up now, live it up large, because at the end of the day you aren’t really in charge. Look, we’re not spinning, gninnips, spinning on this wet rock for long, so let’s all enjoy singing our songs with big days full of belly laughs, loving moments, and late nights with close friends.
One day you will have a funeral.
Now, none of us want it to happen but we all know it will. Stuffed in a suit, buried in a box, you’ll burn to ashes, walk through pearly gates, chill underground, or maybe reincarnate. Point is, your life as you know it will end with red eyes, wet tissues, and tearful speeches filling churches or homes or big grassy fields.
One day you will have a funeral.
But wait — but wait, wait, wait — because before we get way out there let’s stop for a moment and look at your life. Look at gurgling babies in the bedroom, sultry glances late at night, and cracking high fives with friends… look at skinny dipping after dark, swinging under moonlight in the park, and coming home after school to your puppy’s little barks…
Yes, your life’s full of dirty inside jokes, laughing till it hurts, and smiling so hard till the end.
So one day you may have a funeral in a heavy room full of black clothes, somber glances, and heart-wrenching moments of gut-wrenching grief, but … maybe if you’re lucky there will also be some lighter moments too. Maybe there will be some little jokes, funny anecdotes, and silly smiles shining through the pain.
Laughs at a funeral cut the tension, bring us closer together, and remind us all of the big banging life we shared with you. They slice through the searing weight of your loss and swirl us into smiling about everything we had together while reminding us we’ll all be okay …
AWESOME!
My grandfather passed away about 3 weeks ago. He was a great man and spent his life surrounded by people who loved him and bringing joy to the lives of others. While he held many jobs throughout his life, he was always a musician. He could play anything you handed him; guitar, bass, accordion, harmonica, piano, etc. And no matter what, when you were with him, it was always a party. You could just drop by for the weekend and suddenly people are showing up with instruments and the grill’s heating up and you’re surrounded by good times. While he died of pancreatic cancer, we still weren’t expecting it. He was incredibly stubborn and never went to the doctor. By the time he did, it was too late. The cancer had spread to his liver and gall bladder and he was inoperable and ineligible for chemo or radiation. They gave him about 6 months, but he didn’t make it to the end of the month. He died surrounded by his immediate family and his son playing guitar. There were tons of people over at their house within minutes to pay their respects. At the viewing, they gave us the larger of two chapels and it was standing room only. So many people came to see him and even to this somber occasion, they brought their instruments and played and sang for him. The music didn’t stop at the church and it didn’t stop at the cemetery. Any time all the grandchildren were together, he would play “How much is that Doggie at the Window?” and we would sing and howl like dogs. This time when all of us were together, we still sang and barked, and a cousin played his guitar to it. And as we lowered him into the ground, his friends wanted to keep playing and asked my mom and grandma what we wanted to hear: happy music. They played the songs he had taught them and it was like he’d never left. He was there in every note and chord. We knew he was in a better place, crackin’ open a beer and partying with us.
Thank you for sharing your story. This reminds me so much of my grampa too…even the song!
And when we were at the funeral, my nephew, 3 at the time, innocently cried…
“Where are his glasses, he won’t be able to find his way to Heaven!”
an uncle put his specs on and the music resumed.
Thanks again and peace be with you and yours.
I would never thing to do this at a funeral. But I would if I went to one and we all remembered a good happy moment with them!!!