Death is a Funny Thing

Death is a funny thing, and by funny I don't mean ha-ha funny. I mean that it has a funny affect on people. This weekend I came home for a funeral, and I believe I've learned a few things in the journey.

What exactly is death? Death is a separation, the end of the line, the loss of a loved one, a time to move on, a time for gathering, a time to laugh, and a time to cry. But most importantly, it's a time for honor, and for reflection. Because the scary truth of the matter is, we could all go at any moment. As was said today, we're all one person away from running a stop sign from death. It really could get anyone of us at any given moment. But when that moment comes, honor should be given. Now, that being said, I hope to outlive every single one of my friends/relatives and anyone else who would plan to come to my funeral. There should be no flowery ceremony or speeches given when I go. I only ask for a few things at my funeral; bagpipes will be played, my wife will be taken care of, and the whole ceremony is over in less than an hour, preferably thirty minutes. And that's it. Take the party elsewhere if you would like to continue socializing or to be seen. But back to death...

Death comes for some after a long, painful battle with some form of cancer, or a variety of other diseases. Those are the ones that die strong, that are tested until the end, and most die very honorably. I've yet to lose someone in my own family that I was close to, but I've watched as several others have dealt with the struggle with their own parents or other members of their family. It's something I've been blessed to avoid so far, but I know my time will come. And when it does, I only hope that I can be as honorable in surviving as they are in death.

I have a new favorite blog, and I've shared it with some of you, http://rulesformyunbornson.tumblr.com/ and oddly enough, the day that I attended the funeral of a very great man, this was the rule posted "Rule #448: Attend the funerals of great men." I thought to myself how fitting that really was. Those who die honorably deserve to be honored at their funeral. It's a difficult thing to be a great man everyday, and yet I can look at out some, especially the late Doug Beck, and they seem to do it with such ease. Being great has become second nature to them. To live honorably and to die honorably should be every mans goal in life. I only pray that I can accomplish that in my life.