The sun is setting, the blue heron is fishing on the pond, and the fragrance of Jasmine fills the evening air. I love where we live. It is part country but not too far from the grocery store.
It is times like this that I sometimes contemplate life and the passing on. I’m beginning to consider the fact that one day I’ll leave, we all will, you know. If you have arrived on the planet it is in the contract that you will also exit the planet at some point.
I finally surrendered and had an MRI of my hip this week. The inability to run had increased to the point of inability to walk up stairs or walk for long distances; Which resulted in weight gain and self-loathing! My fear of hip replacement was short lived as I was informed that it was only Bursitis (…only Bursitis – like that is okay – but it is not a hip replacement, so I’m thankful for this!). And the reality hits – I’m getting older and the exit is getting closer.
It is okay to talk about it. Talking about death neither accelerates its approach nor slows its arrival. I believe that I will leave only when the Lord says it is time. It will not come early, nor will it be one minute late. We share life and comfort in death, and live the life that we are given to its fullest.
A friend shared a story about her father-in-law’s death. He wished to be cremated, so upon his death they honored his wishes. Since there was not a gravesite, the son planted an oak tree in memory of his dad.
One day, in a quiet moment, her husband took his fathers remains and spread them in an area known only to him. He was not interested in a ceremony; it was just he and his dad.
Later that day, he and his wife were working in the yard. The wife was collecting poopy and tossing it into bushes and gardens as fertilizer. Well, here is how the conversation went from there:
“What did you just do?!”
“Threw the poop by the bushes and trees for fertilizer.”
“You just threw it on Dad!”
“Your Dad?”
“Yes!”
“What is he doing by the trees?!”
“He is fertilizing them!”
The wife and husband race to the tree to remove the poop.
~ Awkward Silence~
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know your dad was there.”
Then walking back to the garage she says, “Make sure you don’t run over dad when you cut the grass!”
So when I go, I think I want to be cremated, it sounds like it could be too much fun! And I want an ice cream truck at the funeral, and a band playing worship music and maybe a little jazz. I want those will join me later, to have fun in this life as much as possible! And maybe place my ashes in an unusual place and when people are stepping near it, yell, ” Hey, be careful, you’re about to step on MOM!”
“For as in Adam all died, but also in Christ all shall be made alive!”
(1 Corinthians 15:22)
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Gorgeous images, Di. Especially the turtle 🙂
And I love the poop-throwing story, AND love the idea for an ice cream truck at the funeral. AWESOME! I’m adding that to my list 😉
Susan, I’m waiting for the person who told me that story to comment. She reads but never leave a comment, I hope she will this time. She is a hoot!
Diane,
Nice to meet you. I’m hopping over from Ann’s link up.
I’m so sorry about your hip pain. Is there a fix for bursitis?
What a story about the dad’s ashes… my! 🙂 I found myself grinning and gasping.
Have a great week, Diane.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
It is so nice to meet you Jennifer! Thank you for stopping by and laughing with me about the story my friend told me about her father-in-law. I keep hoping that she will leave a comment. She reads the blog but never comments. =) HOpe your week is great as well. Let’s talk again sometime!
So funny, but real!! I know the feeling of getting older (my knees are my problem. Dr. says someday they will need replaced.) and contemplating our ‘exit’. Also, love the photos! We live on a lake and find lots of ‘critters’ to take pictures of, too!
In His Love, Ann @ Christ in the Clouds
Thank you Ann! I love the critter pics! We can share joint war-stories at this point in life, and laugh as we get older!
Diane, I am so, so glad I came here. I don’t get around the blog world too much, and didn’t know who you were until I saw you taking photos at Jumping Tandem. I am blessed to be here today. You made me laugh, and that is such a good thing today. I don’t feel too alone now, in my wacky wishes for a funeral. I told my husband I wanted to be sent off on a wooden raft, and lit up with fire, bag-pipes playing–I told him I did not want a traditional funeral. {I must have irish in my ancestry}. I have always detested coffins–they make me nauseated. So. My husband has compromised and instead of a raft with flaming arrows and bagpipes, he has agreed to cremation and I’m sure the rest will have to be written down by a lawyer for my family to cooperate with my crazy plans 😉 Thank you for this breath of fresh air today.
Than you for stopping and chatting! It was so great to be with you at Jumping Tandem. And you know I”m with you. Coffins are gross, and why not celebrate life? There are too many fun things for the family to do once someone is cremated! Let’s keep in touch! ~Di
Diane, this is the most delightful story! 🙂 You are so much fun, you know that? And now, I am seriously considering the ice cream truck…
Love You Laura! The Ice Cream Truck was really a faux pas originally, but since then I’ve decided that I like it!