Blogging is probably not going to make most of us rich or famous. But it is a great way of meeting wonderful people. When my father passed away in September, I shared the experience with my new blogger friends. A few months later, I wrote about my dissatisfaction with my father’s traditional funeral service, feeling that he was more quirky and original than any rabbi’s eulogy could express.
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 a blogger’s late father.
This week was my father’s “unveiling.” At first my mother was a little shocked at seeing the empty side of the stone reserved for her. I can imagine how weird that must have felt, even though she intends to hang around to nag me until she’s 120! But all in all, my mother was very happy with the stone, especially with the addition of my father’s favorite way of saying good-bye, “Be of Good Cheer.”
A Year Ago on Citizen of the Month: Just Like Dad
Think of how everyone will smile when they visit your dad. What a gift!
Absolutely fascinating to discover more about other ways…the stones on a headstone remind me of Gaelic cairns, which is under what I wish to be lain to rest (after being cremated, which will occur after they take everything I can offer up in body parts to help other people…if anyone wants them that is.).
Oh, hey, what’s the take in Judaism on organ donation? God, that sounds ignorant, but if you’re preserving the body for burial so the soul can say goodbye in its own good time, them what if you happen to take out bits and pieces before the burial? Would the soul KNOW about that and be fine with it?
This is good to remember, I am working with a lawyer currently to write up my will and estate plan, I should think of something pertinent and good for my headstone…Be of good cheer. I love that.
Any man who said “Be of good cheer” when taking his leave or saying goodbye must have been one terrific fellow.
I love it, Neil.
Neil, it is a beautiful stone. I didn’t know your Dad for very long, but I would say that he would be very proud of you for honoring and remembering him in such a wonderful way.
“Be of good cheer”…I need to remember that myself in my daily life.
how is it that I have never been here before?
I like that – on the stone.
You know, when my brother passed away – we actually all discussed which of us would get to go into the wall with him at Forest Lawn. Room for four.
But I also wore red to the non-service service as he’d asked.
sigh, he would turned 40 this week.
but yeah – that is pretty awesome, and pretty awesome of you…
I think your first lines say it all. Blogging isnt going to make us rich and famous, but the characters we meet and the stories we get to tell are well worth the trip.:)
Thanks everyone, especially Sophia, because she was the one who first said I should put “Be of Good Cheer” on the stone.
Lovely. Really lovely.
I’ve got to stop saying “Stay awesome” when leaving the room.
That’s really wonderful, Neil.
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I loved reading your blog. I just came from my dad’s grave. My mother had not seen his marker until today and I saw it last week. His unveiling is next month when our family from CA, NY, NH, FL, MA, and Canada will be coming together. We put the words, “Happy Day” on his marker because on his message machines first at home in MA, then FL, his cell phone, and web mailings all started with the words, “Happy Day this is the (home/cell phone) or e-mail from Sid, Dad or more likely from POPPI!