Remember Me When I'm Gone
Background: In light of several people I know, or know of (a good friend, an uncle, and a well-known local cartoonist) recently passing away, I wanted to post this as a farewell message. I don't anticipate kicking the bucket anytime soon, but if something like that was to happen tomorrow or next week, I'd like to at least leave a farewell message. It's like actually being able to say goodbye one last time.
While some people would probably put a message like this in a box or envelope with strict instructions not to open or read it until after they're gone, I have no issues with posting this publicly, now.
Comments have been disabled but feel free to drop me a message/e-mail.
As for the subject title, it comes from a Larry King book where various celebrities and cartoonists were asked to write or illustrate their own epitaphs.
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If you're reading this, either one of two things has happened:
(1) I'm no longer alive, or
(2) I'm still around but you're curious as to the content of this message.
Either way, I hope this message brings you comfort and peace.
I will honestly admit that I don't know if I have any regrets about how I lived my life... any "coulda, shoulda, woulda" moments. But I don't think it matters. What matters is that I was able to live my life, that I was given at least 38 years on this earth (as of the date of this entry), and that I was able to do and experience things that I enjoyed. I've been to Japan, Korea and the Middle East and have had overnight stayovers in Spain and Italy. I've been able to learn to mix sound at my church and in the process have gained an appreciation for the process. I've been able to work in a career field that I enjoy -- observing and forecasting weather -- and it has been a challenge at times. I've grown up with several pets, mostly felines, and have felt their affection and love. In a nutshell, I have been blessed in spades.
Being a Christian, I believe that I have eternal life and am now reunited with friends and family who have predeceased me. And if you are Christian, I hope that I will someday see you too.
I hope that I have stewarded my life well, and that it shows in those whose lives I've influenced, hopefully all for the better. If you have wronged me and never reconciled, I forgive you. If I have wronged you and never reconciled, I can only hope that you will forgive me. It's not for me that I ask your forgiveness, but rather for you, since unforgiveness is said to be like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
Finally, I have a few requests:
- Don't feel sad for me, or blame God (or anyone else). I believe that God had something much bigger in mind when He called me home, and I will trust Him not to question His judgment.
- Grieve, but if at all possible, grieve with hope. You may miss me, but I am certain that I will see at least some of you again, although I hope to see everyone again.
- If you do anything in my memory, please do it with love. By this I mean the Biblical definition of love: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Goodbye is never easy to say, and I'm not very good at it. Like Charlie Brown, "I need more hellos." Still though, I had fun in this life, and I'm looking forward to what awaits me now.
Take care and aloha,
Razor
Originally posted 20 Feb 2009