What to do in case

I grow a tad tired of the little lists of things we all fill out from time to time on email, facebook, message boards. Sometimes it is fun to read through and see your friends little curiosities, or to find out odd bits you didn't know about someone. But are we all wasting our time? Here's a list I'll never "meme" you to do, but I find it much more worthy of my time.

I want to be cremated and taken to a hillside near the ocean. I don't need a very high magestic spot, I don't need a big hike taken on my behalf, and no need for dramatic crashing waves or a really steep craggy mountain. Just a little grassy hill near the pebbly rolling break of waves will do.

If you cannot cremate me, do not put me in an expensive lined box. I don't want to be preserved in any way. Ashes to ashes, not oddly preserved slime. As my dad would say, 'nuf said.

I want an upbeat funeral. Sing several hymns (I'll have a working list on my computer). Have chamber musicians. No solos, and please try to get everyone in attendance to sing. I think it helps the soul.

I'd like very very good food and wine to be served that day and night. Surround eachother, my loved ones, with the fullness of what is on this earth. Music, food, wine, candles, laughter, warmth, fresh air and memories. I want my death to be, more than anytihng else, a reminder of the brevity of our time here, so that anyone I might have known, who cared for me or whom I loved, would use the occasion of my passing to touch base with what is important and thrust themselves into making the most of whatever time is left.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming!