Comments on: Be of Good Cheer

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:35:17 +0000

Well, I’m picking up a thread that has long since been said good by to but here I am, posting on my two cents even though I know its no longer necessary. I found your post because of a strange series of events. (Isn’t that how most things are discovered on the internet?!??!)

I was doing my normal nightly multi-task of watching tv and being on the ol’ computer when on the show “Duel” they asked the question of what was on Sinatra’s headstone. So, naturally, I did a quick search… which yielded your post since one of the first commenters mentioned it.

So, even though your Dad’s very fitting epitaph has been confirmed to be a go, I thought I’d say I love it! I love it because it makes sense. It makes sense because it was your Dad and that’s what most people would want, to represent their own personality. I know when I’ve been to a cemetery and have come across something written on a marker that is different, funny or interesting, I always thing, “Gee, I wish I could have met that person, in person.”

And in answer to your question… after a Google search… I liked “See You Soon.” Although now that I write this, maybe I would put, “Look for me on Google.”

Hope life is treating you well!

By: Citizen of the Month » Baby Steps

Citizen of the Month » Baby Steps — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 07:14:54 +0000

[...] A Year Ago on Citizen of the Month: Be of Good Cheer [...]

By: The Foo Logs » Blog Archive » Friday Hodge Podge: 9/22/06

The Foo Logs » Blog Archive » Friday Hodge Podge: 9/22/06 — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 18:08:00 +0000

[...] Hey Dad: I have to admit that I do get a little emotional when I see nice things written about dads, it just reminds me of my dad whom I lost several years ago - the wounds have yet to heal. Citizen of the month writes a moving post about his dad (who’s anniversary of his passing happens to be this week) and how he has engaged his blogosphere readers to help him write decide what to write on his father’s stone. [...]

By: Citizen of the Month » Hey, Dad

Citizen of the Month » Hey, Dad — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 15:12:30 +0000

[...] This week is the first anniversary of my father’s passing. When I started writing this blog, I didn’t expect my usual nonsense and sex jokes to be interrupted by a phone call asking Sophia and I to fly home to New York. I certainly didn’t expect to blog about the experience and receive so much comfort from bloggers. And I most definitely in a million years did not expect bloggers to help us decide what to write on my father’s stone! Thanks. [...]

By: Citizen of the Month » The Unveiling

Citizen of the Month » The Unveiling — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 04:43:59 +0000

[...] I think this may be the first time in the history of the blogosphere that bloggers helped influence what is engraved on the stone of blogger’s late father. [...]

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 23:27:57 +0000

Uncle Miltie — So nice to have you read my blog! You’re absolutely right about “Lawrence of Arabia.” Your brother loved the music to that film. But he did have some weird attraction to Gunga Din. Maybe he related to the main character and how he sacrificed himself for the good of all. Where he learnt to say “Be of Good Cheer” is a mystery that may never be solved because I never heard anyone else in the family ever say it.

By: Uncle Miltie

Uncle Miltie — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 22:30:40 +0000

The other phrase your dad liked was “You’re a better man than I am Gunga Din,” but I don’t know I’d go for that. “Be of Good Cheer” has more universal appeal and it’s timeless. What should I put on my stone? “If something can go wrong it will” “I Miss My Cats” “Mad Milton” “Mr. Negative” or “There Was No Good Bread in California.” The last is certainly a truth that will identify me as a person of taste to those of like mind. They’ll pass by and say, “yeah this guy really knew what he was talking about…” I’d get respect. But only NY people in CA would appreciate that. I thought about being cremated and spreading myself around…multiple opportunities for comments…in Queens next to my mother the stone will say, “Proud to be a Jewish Mama’s Boy.” Neil you missed the good old days when your father and I grew up before WWII with a Yiddish speaking grandmother from Russia, our mom, and our aunt. Uncle in Spain, so we got all the attention. The corned beef was always thin enough and the bread! I don’t know what’s wrong with being a mama’s boy…you just add the wife and have two “mamas” to take care of you. You should be proud. Let them make the decisions. They know what is best for you. BTW Neil, on your stone please don’t talk about “that thing,” it would kill your mother. You definitely get that from the Kramer side, but the rest of this bludge meshuganah…I don’t know maybe from the mother’s side? Well, I enjoy the bludge, you’re a talented guy, but keep “that thing” under wraps in the boxers if you can. Keep the mystery and bring it out when it can do you some real good. You know, the surprise element, they all know it’s there, don’t wear it out for nothing.

By: Uncle Miltie

Uncle Miltie — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 21:38:36 +0000

Your father always ended his phone calls to me with “Be of Good Cheer.” I don’t know where he got that, but I remember people did say that many years ago. Didn’t Cary Grant say that in an early movie? That phrase would be good on the stone, and he was a really cool brother. “Quirky” doesn’t begin to capture his unique view and ideas on life. You couldn’t put “the corned beef isn’t thin enough” on the stone although he always said that too. As for the music, although Gunga Din is ok, maybe something more dramatic like the music from Lawrence of Arabia he would like. Then there is the expensive problem of solar energy or batteries to keep it going. I don’t know but I think the Lubavitch at Old Montefiore had some audio thing hooked up for the rebbe’s grave. Maybe you can check with them. So now you know why you should not pay $14.00 for a pair of briefs. This thing is going to cost money continuously. Maybe you should wait till the technology comes down in price…a year or so.

By: This and that » Blog Archive » You live and then…

This and that » Blog Archive » You live and then… — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 13:16:25 +0000

[...] Every now and again I think about what would happen if my husband or I died while still very young. I start to think about funerals and cremation vs. burial and I was thinking of writing a post about it. I then wondered if that was too weird or depressing but now that Neil started it first I’m just going to go ahead and write. [...]

By: Tharsei

Tharsei — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 15:07:24 +0000

After my Dad’s funeral we had a party. We had a memory table filled with things he loved– his bible,hot banana peppers,his favorite red bandana, diet coke, Mail Pouch,photos…and we played music by Elvis and Rod Stewart–his favorites( yes dad was a country boy, a WV coal-mining, country boy) and he was a minister. His message was always–love, laugh, and life’s simple pleasures are the best. The food, music, everything was soo dad, we half expected him to walk through the door and break out in his Elvis impersonation–it was truly a celebration of him. As the people left, they remarked what a wonderful time they had…Be of Good Cheer-Perfect! Your dad must’ve been as special as mine……..what do I want them to say at my funeral? “I think she moved!”