March 29, 2002
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Good Friday
The theme for today is death and resurrection. I take other people's death very seriously. I have lost friends and family, and I grieve their absence. I'm not worried about my own death. It isn't that I don't think I'm going to die, but really, I don't expect that once I'm dead I'll be too worried about what I'm missing. I'm not looking forward to the process, but the end result just doesn't bother me.
My dad and I have done a lot of genealogical research. He has files with close to ten thousand records of people (mostly dead) who are related to me in one way or another. We've spent a lot of time in cemeteries. I kind of like cemeteries. They are peaceful quiet places even if they are located in the middle of town. Nobody in a cemetery is in a hurry. Nobody is frustrated at having to wait their turn. Nobody is shoving me aside to reach for the last bag of gummy bears on the shelf at Walmart. Nobody is threatening to sue me because I bit their arm.
I've picked out the tombstone I want to mark my grave site when I die. I stopped off this morning and took pictures of it. What do you think? Is it me?
Maybe you need to see it from a different angle . . .
Now that's a fine use of granite.
Some people talk about the point of Christianity being the promise of a resurrection at the end of time and life eternal in Heaven. I suppose that's well enough. If God works it out that way, I'm cool with that plan, if He doesn't, well, what am I gonna do - complain to a higher authority?
I'm not so much concerned with whether I'll be alive then, as I am with whether I'm alive right now. The possibility of a bodily resurrection is an interesting theological discussion and I love theological discussion. But, real theology doesn't hinge on whether or not there is a future resurrection. It's how do I relate to God today, in this moment. It's whether or not I'm able to remember that my neighbor IS myself.
Remember that old Reese's cup slogan "there's no wrong way to eat a Reese's"? That may be true. But there's only ONE way to properly eat a Gummy Bear.
Head first. Anyone who eats it any other way . . . well let's just say there's a place where God sends people like you.
Comments (21)
Reading about your trips to graveyards reminded me of when my cousins and I were small. When my Grandparents lived at the old high ranch in the Lincoln National Forest, maybe 45-50 miles from Carlsbad, NM they didn't have electricity or running water in the house. My parents, aunts and uncles would drive down the mountain to the Christian camp, where they had showers. Just outside the encampment was a chimney and the cemetary for the town of Queens, NM. The ground at the high ranch was rocky with sticker burrs and scorpions, snakes and cow patties to avoid. The cemetary had grass. My cousins and I would kick off our shoes and play hide and seek among the gravestones. I think the little children whose graves we played on must have enjoyed our game.
Now pass the gummy bears!
BTW, what does it say on the bottom of that statue?
I think that would be a great marker! That rocks!
Ever notice how boring some graveyards have gotten?
Fine idea
Sail on... sail on!!!
Excellent blog! I don't think I have ever seen a tombstone like this. It is definitely more modern than those I am used to seeing!
I love gummi bears! Not sure how I eat them but you can be sure I will pay attention next one I eat!
Love gummi bears, haven't been in a lot of cemetaries...but the marker surely makes a statement. I'm not sure I'd like to be that marker's owner's neighbor though...ROFL I can hear my grandmother turning over now..."Good LORD, look what they are doing to the neighborhood!"
Hm. In attempting to describe the sculpter's source of inspiration, I am at once both confused and enlightened--the clunky feet offset the proud beek, the three-pronged feathers live harmoniously with the tri-pointed crowning glory. I'm so glad you offered the piece at both angles, else I would have missed the shadowy contrasts in the fowl's gaze.... so deep, it's disturbing. Yes, Teri... this is the piece for you.
Oh no, wait. I prefer the gummy bears monument!
Have a wonderful Easter.
UUmmmm ..... at first glance I thought the gravestone looked like that cartoon moose - you know "Rocky and Bullwinkle" (I am never exactly sure which is which)
Season - I would love to report that the writing at the bottom of that statue says "Reserved for Terri" -
Unfortunately, the truth is that its an advertisement for the monument company - "Your Imagination, Our Ability"
Its you, something out of the ordinary to liven up the place.
God Bless - Dale
i am now sounding redundant as i keep repeating this in all blogs that mention death: "death is a reminder to make the most of our life, to squeeze every drop of joy when we can, and to love while there is time."
you had me deep-thinking all through this blog until that last part about the gummy bear. then i laughed out loud
ps. thank you for the comments you leave on my site.
Where is it that they've parked your headstone until you need it?
Can't agree about the gummi bears - if it isn't chocolate or caramel, it's nasty - but I thought the rest of it was brilliant. See? Who said we couldn't agree on anything.
What the hell kind of animal is that tombstone supposed to represent? It's cute, but what is it?
Very imaginative statue there. LOL Have a great Easter.
And thanks for subscribing to my site.
Where? Where does he send you?? A place with no Gummi bears? My goodness wouldn't THAT be awful a world of eternity with NO Gummi bears??????? I'll eat them head first just please don't send me there!!!
LOL at the marker! Hmmm chicken and Terri....nope not seeing it!
One of my biggest fears is Terri will "chicken out" with the headstone and offer it to me. Post mortem. And if that's the case let the inscription read:
HERE LIES MY HUSBAND TIM
AND NOONE'S MORE SURPRISED THAN HIM.
Are you saying I am going to HELL I eat the feet first???? {
}
no pix any more... what a shame...
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