Making my wishes known
A family friend has passed on. Since it was kinda known, and there are a million reasons to keep quiet about it, I won't say anything about that beyond what I've already said, however it does spark a thought:
I've said this to folks around me, but I'd like this posted. I am completely serious about all of this, by the way.
I don't want a funeral, I don't want a coffin, and I don't want people to hang on to me, after I'm gone. I don't know what happens after we die, but I'm unshaken in my belief that wherever we go (even if it's nowhere) it's not here. I've seen enough death to confirm this for me: if we survive death, we do not stick around. So, I won't be here to care. Still, if you want to do something, here's what I'd suggest: First, I like the "Be a tree" concept. If it can be arranged to make me into fertilizer for a nice hardwood tree, I'd be keen on that. But, if any organs can be used to extend someone else's life, yes, by all means, that's important. Second, if you have to have a memorial of any kind, make it a nice wake. Some kind of gathering without the heavy proceedings. I don't need speeches, and neither do you. Related to that, I definitely want a notice in the paper that reads (at least in part) "In lieu of flowers, please drink heavily". People read the obits, and get way, way too morbid. Wouldn't it be great if somebody got a chuckle from the obituary page, for once? I also really don't want flowers. They seem like a horrible thing for a funeral: let's kill a bunch of plants, robbing them of their reproduction cycle, in ordfer to celebrate the life of a dead person? No thanks. I'd prefer if people killed a few brain cells instead.
As for stuff? Heck do whatever you want with it. I really don't care. I just hope you try to make sure that folks get some use out of it.
So, there you go. Those are my wishes, such as they might be. I hope I live for another couple hundred years, but if i've got to go, then, please keep as much life going as possible. Life is much much more important than anything else.
