Some years ago, I can’t remember exactly when, I was in a class or a workshop.  One of the exercises that we were asked to think about had to do with writing your own obituary.  I don’t remember actually trying to do it, but  something came up recently that made me think of it again.  My husband said to me, that if I were to die before him that he wouldn’t know how he would ever be able to write my obituary.  I can’t remember exactly how he put it, but it was something that made me think that if I wanted it to be right, I had better do it myself.

Anyway, I was intrigued by this idea.  If one wants to be remembered, which I do, then one should write one’s own obituary when one is in good health.  It might be a good way to contemplate how other people see you and how you would like seen.  Then, if there is conflict between the two, steps could be taken to be that person you want to be.

Of course, in any obituary, there are the dates, names of family members, living and dead, circumstances and the places involved.  But those are just statistics.  The part we need to contemplate is what contributions a person has made.  The way in which a person lived and what they enjoyed doing, and the things they did in service to others are the things that matter.  I guess writing about these things in reference to oneself has to do with how one hopes to be remembered.  This is not an easy task.

I want to be remembered as being a fair person, not judgmental, and kind.  I want people to feel that I was a good friend and someone that could counted on to do what I said I was going to do.  I want my friends to think that I was fun to be with and that I had a good sense of humor. Most of all, I want people to remember me as someone who loved God and acted like it when dealing with others.  I want my family and friends to miss me, but only because I won’t be there in person.  I want memories of me to be happy, to be fond and funny.  Well, that’s a tall order.

Now, the most important thing to do, is to live that way, the way I want to be remembered. Whew!  I never thought it would be this hard.  But life IS hard.  And life is good, a gift, not to be lived carelessly, but thoughtfully and deliberately.  This is really an educational exercise. I know that it is teaching me something.  You just might find it worth your time to do it yourself!