Glad you could make it for our walk today. Nice to have the sunshine, a little wind at our backs to help with the walk up the hill along the dirt path.
I don't know about you, but my calendar is filled with many events for many days of the week. It is beginning to be difficult to find time to squeeze in the necessary funeral or visitation that I am seeing with more frequency! I need to clarify that those many events during the week are with the many doctors that we now share our social time with.
Yesterday my friend and I met to travel to the visitation for our friend whose Father had recently died. It was a good visit along the long drive up the mountain, and would be good to see our mutual friend whom we had not seen in a year or so. We did the usual standing in the long line that began outside on the walk-way entrance, then slowly proceeded up the steps to another long wait on the large front porch of the funeral home. As we inched our way along a very long corridor, we strained our eyes to see a familiar face among the crowds........surely, there would be someone there from times past! Not to be! Are we so old, they have all died?
After an hour or so, we could see the back of our friend as she stood at the beginning of the receiving line. She was surprised to see that we had made the long trip, and we exchanged hugs, a few introductions, then a short good-bye with a promise to get together soon in the future. The long wait ended within a brief minute or two! We did leave, however, recalling the many memories we both remembered of the times the three of us had shared together.
I was grateful the casket was closed, draped with the American flag, allowing me to judge that the deceased was a veteran. I do not like open caskets for a viewing of the body! I have been exposed to body viewings on people who were bloated, blue, black and gray! Why in the world would you want everyone to see the horror of illness prior to death. Nothing is more grotesque than a corpse with make-up!
And then there is the casket! This ethereal bed of slumber can cost upward to $10,000! I know there are cheaper ones but for what purpose? Therefore, the corpse is placed onto this satin-lined bed, dressed as though he or she will be arising to attend either a business meeting, go to church, go to sleep, or even in their most favored outfit, be able to perform to the requirement of the outfit! This outfit could be: Hell's Angel bikers outfit, boots, jeans and spurs, a ballet outfit................the list goes on and on to whatever the remaining survivors decide would make the corpse happy in the afterlife! Have we not removed ourselves from the 3,000 year-old belief of the pharaohs in Egypt!?
I will spare my family this macabre departure from the world. I have requested cremation with my ashes to be placed in significant places. Any visitation as the family requests, with refreshments and a lovely social afternoon together. If they choose to remember me in any way, let the memorial be with those memories that evoke laughter, not tears. There will be time for tears with other issues, please do not make one of them about me.
Thanks for accompanying me on this walk today. The day was sunny, but, alas, the conversation a bit dreary! I once read that you cannot truly live until you accept your own mortality! I am truly living, and making each minute a special one!
Enjoyed the walk......see you next time!
Come Take A Walk With Me
Monday, January 19, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
Misnomers, etc.
It has been a while since we walked, and once again I have been pondering.......................................
There are names of some things we see and use on our daily trek through this life. What astounds me is that I really have not paid a lot of attention to the discussion I wish to have with you today. It came to me, like a bolt out of the blue, when I was approaching the designated area today. I was in a bit of a hurry as I anticipated feeling much relieved as soon as I reached my destination. Looking up at the large sign , I could not help but laugh at the absurdity.
The large sign said REST ROOMS. Now, I have to ask if you ever go to this area to REST. Somehow I cannot make the connection. One enters a tiny cubicle and the only place to sit is on a round bowl that is open to water underneath. This bowl is called a TOILET. Why would you go to the RESTROOM to sit on a TOILET to REST? I have visited some areas that do have a small lounge area with comfortable chairs adjacent to the toilet stalls, and have been pleasantly surprised to be able to rest prior to using the toilet or afterwards.
I understand that the restroom for men is equipped with URINALS, so that complete privacy is avoided unless one chooses to stand inside the stall, which might be embarrassing because then everyone has a general idea that you would have a higher possibility of being responsible for an odor that is about to surround the perimeter. Thank goodness, we ladies do not have to sit side by side to conduct our business! I wonder what the men discuss as they stand shoulder to shoulder to relieve themselves of urine! Do they discuss the weather? Do they make introductions? Do they look at each other? (you know, LOOK)?! I cannot think of anything more embarrassing and could be more humiliating than that! There really are some advantages to being female!
Then there are the areas for resting with the toilets that are called BATHROOMS! Now I ask you, do you usually go into these so-labeled rooms to bathe? Wouldn't that be a bit unusual seeing there are no showers nor tubs?
I sometimes wonder if we had a visitor from another planet how in the world would they ever find the correct identity for the place to go to relieve themselves. Ever thought of that? Wouldn't it be easier if we label things correctly for their identity? I would suggest we face this area for what it is and stop hiding behind those disguises of words that do not in the least pertain to their function! Here are my suggestions:
1: TOILET
2. PEE PRIVACY
3. RELIEF ROOM
4. URGE AREA
5. SANCTIONED SQUATS
There are other names, already taken: PRIVY, and OUTHOUSE, for example. And who can forget the PORT A JOHN!? Honestly, that is one experience that will take your breath away! On second thought, I suppose the word RESTROOM is about as good as it gets. At least when you make an announcement of where it is you want to go, the term is not descriptive at all of what you intend to do!
Oh the pondering of it all...........................See you on our next walk!
There are names of some things we see and use on our daily trek through this life. What astounds me is that I really have not paid a lot of attention to the discussion I wish to have with you today. It came to me, like a bolt out of the blue, when I was approaching the designated area today. I was in a bit of a hurry as I anticipated feeling much relieved as soon as I reached my destination. Looking up at the large sign , I could not help but laugh at the absurdity.
The large sign said REST ROOMS. Now, I have to ask if you ever go to this area to REST. Somehow I cannot make the connection. One enters a tiny cubicle and the only place to sit is on a round bowl that is open to water underneath. This bowl is called a TOILET. Why would you go to the RESTROOM to sit on a TOILET to REST? I have visited some areas that do have a small lounge area with comfortable chairs adjacent to the toilet stalls, and have been pleasantly surprised to be able to rest prior to using the toilet or afterwards.
I understand that the restroom for men is equipped with URINALS, so that complete privacy is avoided unless one chooses to stand inside the stall, which might be embarrassing because then everyone has a general idea that you would have a higher possibility of being responsible for an odor that is about to surround the perimeter. Thank goodness, we ladies do not have to sit side by side to conduct our business! I wonder what the men discuss as they stand shoulder to shoulder to relieve themselves of urine! Do they discuss the weather? Do they make introductions? Do they look at each other? (you know, LOOK)?! I cannot think of anything more embarrassing and could be more humiliating than that! There really are some advantages to being female!
Then there are the areas for resting with the toilets that are called BATHROOMS! Now I ask you, do you usually go into these so-labeled rooms to bathe? Wouldn't that be a bit unusual seeing there are no showers nor tubs?
I sometimes wonder if we had a visitor from another planet how in the world would they ever find the correct identity for the place to go to relieve themselves. Ever thought of that? Wouldn't it be easier if we label things correctly for their identity? I would suggest we face this area for what it is and stop hiding behind those disguises of words that do not in the least pertain to their function! Here are my suggestions:
1: TOILET
2. PEE PRIVACY
3. RELIEF ROOM
4. URGE AREA
5. SANCTIONED SQUATS
There are other names, already taken: PRIVY, and OUTHOUSE, for example. And who can forget the PORT A JOHN!? Honestly, that is one experience that will take your breath away! On second thought, I suppose the word RESTROOM is about as good as it gets. At least when you make an announcement of where it is you want to go, the term is not descriptive at all of what you intend to do!
Oh the pondering of it all...........................See you on our next walk!
Til Death............
We might need to take a longer walk today so that you may be able to help me redirect my way of thinking about an incident that left me somewhat disturbed.
Sometime last year I found myself directly confronted with the "Green Monster", better known as Greed. It came out of nowhere, or at least to me it seems. I learned, however, that this greed had been brewing for quite a while. I was asked to put myself in another person's position and resolve a situation that concerned "the inheritance".
Now, mind you, the benefactors are still alive and well, so discussing their demise as if it were to be in the immediate future was somewhat unsettling to me. I am neither a lawyer, nor a counselor, and do not understand why I was selected for this particular conversation! In retrospect, I wish I'd had the good sense to bow out immediately and explain my uncomfortable position in having such a conversation.
I suppose I need to explain to you at this point of my story, that I have had the good fortune during my lifetime to not be contaminated by the green monster. Neither of my now deceased parents left anything of value, nor anything to argue over as their meager acquisitions were chosen by the four of us. Even some thirty plus years later, I find myself feeling a bit guilty for having taken a large brown jug that no one else wanted. On the other hand, my former Mother-in-law left me a substantial sum of money when she died, but I immediately gave it to my two children who at that time were in financial distress. Having lost their father at an early age, I felt it should have been his inheritance and passed to his two survivors. It was the right thing to do and I have never regretted my decision to do that. In fact, it felt immensely good! It was a relief on my part, and prevented me from having to get into the greed game as so often happens during the loss of a matriarch or patriarch and their will.
Having said that, I was taken aback when suddenly I was asked to enter into a conversation in regards to how a certain inheritance would be dispersed, and an inference that something should be done now! Wow!
If I remember nothing else, I will always remember what a friend, who was a wise attorney once said to me. "Never show the will to the survivors! That will be seen soon enough after you die.! At least you will not be involved in the fight and greed that almost certainly follows a substantial inheritance!"
Once again, one of the many happenings to us as we age. Whenever others begin to feel comfortable discussing the demise of others in your presence........................Well, in addition to accenting the fact that I, too, will be departing in the near future, it does leave me with a strong determination to remain here a while longer!
Oh, the pondering of it all.......................................................................Enjoyed the walk!
Sometime last year I found myself directly confronted with the "Green Monster", better known as Greed. It came out of nowhere, or at least to me it seems. I learned, however, that this greed had been brewing for quite a while. I was asked to put myself in another person's position and resolve a situation that concerned "the inheritance".
Now, mind you, the benefactors are still alive and well, so discussing their demise as if it were to be in the immediate future was somewhat unsettling to me. I am neither a lawyer, nor a counselor, and do not understand why I was selected for this particular conversation! In retrospect, I wish I'd had the good sense to bow out immediately and explain my uncomfortable position in having such a conversation.
I suppose I need to explain to you at this point of my story, that I have had the good fortune during my lifetime to not be contaminated by the green monster. Neither of my now deceased parents left anything of value, nor anything to argue over as their meager acquisitions were chosen by the four of us. Even some thirty plus years later, I find myself feeling a bit guilty for having taken a large brown jug that no one else wanted. On the other hand, my former Mother-in-law left me a substantial sum of money when she died, but I immediately gave it to my two children who at that time were in financial distress. Having lost their father at an early age, I felt it should have been his inheritance and passed to his two survivors. It was the right thing to do and I have never regretted my decision to do that. In fact, it felt immensely good! It was a relief on my part, and prevented me from having to get into the greed game as so often happens during the loss of a matriarch or patriarch and their will.
Having said that, I was taken aback when suddenly I was asked to enter into a conversation in regards to how a certain inheritance would be dispersed, and an inference that something should be done now! Wow!
If I remember nothing else, I will always remember what a friend, who was a wise attorney once said to me. "Never show the will to the survivors! That will be seen soon enough after you die.! At least you will not be involved in the fight and greed that almost certainly follows a substantial inheritance!"
Once again, one of the many happenings to us as we age. Whenever others begin to feel comfortable discussing the demise of others in your presence........................Well, in addition to accenting the fact that I, too, will be departing in the near future, it does leave me with a strong determination to remain here a while longer!
Oh, the pondering of it all.......................................................................Enjoyed the walk!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)