Monday 1 August 2016

What Would They Say About You?

One of my favourite books is The Telegraph Book of Obituaries.

I know it sounds morbid, but it's actually hugely inspiring. Beautifully written pieces about the lives of extraordinary people. They make you want to climb mountains, swim oceans and paint masterpieces.

One of the (many) reasons I quit drinking was thinking about what people would say about me if I died.

SM - so much promise, so much talent.....loved a party.

Not exactly inspirational.

Unlike Q's eulogy, which Mr SM delivered on Friday to a congregation of six hundred people who'd travelled to Q's home town in Scotland from all over the world.

Q packed a huge amount into his (too short) forty-seven years, and made an impact on hundreds of people, so this reading - A Song of Living by Amelia Josephine Burr - was perfect for him:

Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky.
I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken the wind to my breast.
My cheeks like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

I have kissed young love on the lips, I have heard his song to the end,
I have struck my hand like a seal in the loyal hand of a friend.
I have known the peace of heaven, the comfort of work done well.
I have longed for death in the darkness and risen alive out of hell.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

I gave a share of my soul to the world, when and where my course is run.
I know that another shall finish the task I surely must leave undone.
I know that no flower, nor flint was in vain on the path I trod.
As one looks on a face through a window, through life I have looked on God,
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
                         

Would you be able to say that about your life?

It's never too late to make sure that you could....

Love SM x

7 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is extremely beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is so beautiful. And thankyou so much for continuing to blog for us in your time of grief. It is much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So beautiful SM thank you for sharing.....and no I cannot say the same, feel like I have lived my life in a box,,,very sad, but no time to wallow....not any more am getting used to living without walls.....can be uncomfortable at times......but loving the view..

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am a little behind with my post, but that was a beautiful song, for what seems like a very beautiful soul. I too had an experience a few weeks ago that made me think about how I would be remembered once gone. I work in a family owned business that is in part a florist, I has to fill in one day and do something that isn't my usual job role. deliver flowers for a memorial service. As I loaded up the van I admired the little wooden boxes filled with bright yellow sunflowers, fuchsia roses and silk butterflies scattered about. I was thinking, this must be favorites of the elderly woman who had just passed. I met with the family at the site of the service and her daughter thanked me and yes, confirmed her mother loved these types of flowers and butterflies. I drove back to the store wondering what I would be remembered for once I am gone. I certainly don't want it to be for a deep, life sucking penchant for Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay, but for something similar to beautiful flowers and butterflies.

    ReplyDelete