Challenge #22: The Future is X-rated
“Mom, what’s this?”
I glanced at my daughter, who looked suddenly pale. When I saw the piece of paper dangling in her hand, I felt a little guilty.
“I wrote my own obituary,” I said matter-of-factly looking down at what I was doing.
“Why?” she finally asked me after a few minutes of silence.
“I thought I was dying. I was ready to die.”
She looked away, unable to meet my eyes. I knew that fact was hard for her to understand; at 42, there was still so much of her life ahead of her, so much for her to see, for her to do. But that didn’t change the fact that I didn’t, that I had done everything I’d wanted to, need to, do.
Her eyes drifted back to the paper in her hands and I could see her eyes pass back and forth across the paper.
Margaret Owens did yesterday after a long, hard battle with ovarian cancer. Her husband, Frank Owens, was a well-respected business owner in the community. Every year, he donated money to schools and students in need. Sadly, he passed away 10 years ago after his own bought with cancer. Mrs. Owns is survived by her daughter, Kim, son-in-law, John, and two grandchildren, David and Max, who currently reside in Boston, MA.
Mrs. Owens was a social worker for 40 years who helped to place children in appropriate foster homes and reunite families. Through her tireless efforts, she touched the lives of thousands of children and families.
In her free time, Mrs. Owens loved reading, knitting, and playing with her dogs. After they both retired, Mr. and Mrs. Owens travelled extensively around the world.
While Mrs. Owens will be missed by family and friends, she lived a full, happy life and urges others to do the same.
The funeral will be held at Johnson’s Funeral Home on West Avenue. Services will begin at [insert time] on [insert date].
I glanced at my daughter, who looked suddenly pale. When I saw the piece of paper dangling in her hand, I felt a little guilty.
“I wrote my own obituary,” I said matter-of-factly looking down at what I was doing.
“Why?” she finally asked me after a few minutes of silence.
“I thought I was dying. I was ready to die.”
She looked away, unable to meet my eyes. I knew that fact was hard for her to understand; at 42, there was still so much of her life ahead of her, so much for her to see, for her to do. But that didn’t change the fact that I didn’t, that I had done everything I’d wanted to, need to, do.
Her eyes drifted back to the paper in her hands and I could see her eyes pass back and forth across the paper.
Margaret Owens did yesterday after a long, hard battle with ovarian cancer. Her husband, Frank Owens, was a well-respected business owner in the community. Every year, he donated money to schools and students in need. Sadly, he passed away 10 years ago after his own bought with cancer. Mrs. Owns is survived by her daughter, Kim, son-in-law, John, and two grandchildren, David and Max, who currently reside in Boston, MA.
Mrs. Owens was a social worker for 40 years who helped to place children in appropriate foster homes and reunite families. Through her tireless efforts, she touched the lives of thousands of children and families.
In her free time, Mrs. Owens loved reading, knitting, and playing with her dogs. After they both retired, Mr. and Mrs. Owens travelled extensively around the world.
While Mrs. Owens will be missed by family and friends, she lived a full, happy life and urges others to do the same.
The funeral will be held at Johnson’s Funeral Home on West Avenue. Services will begin at [insert time] on [insert date].