As I wander through Life there are certain things that just automatically catch my attention. It’s like they see me coming so they jump up and start waving. Trees, for instance. If I happen to come across a tree in the wilderness that would be absolutely perfect for Christmas, I make note. I’m not going to cut it (mainly because it’s usually not mine to cut). It’s not going to come into my home. My nose and I had that debate a long time ago—and my nose won. But that doesn’t mean they don’t still tempt me.
Cats. If I’m driving down the road and there’s a cat hiding in the weeds, I see it. Or if it’s in a parking lot or someone’s yard or sitting in a store window, my cat radar will detect it, even if I’m flying low. Which doesn’t mean I’m speeding. Goodness knows, I would never do anything like that. (Insert innocent faced emoji here.)
If anything is out of place, I immediately notice. Because I am a creature of habit who enjoys, even delights, in my ruts. And when one of my ruts is disturbed Life is forever altered—and not in a good way.
Service of Remembrance songs. There’s nothing wrong with the good old standards like “Memories” and “Go Rest High”, but if something else catches my ear, I add it to the list, which is how I ended up with “Children of the Universe” by John Denver and “Always Will” by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Oh, and “A Final Dream” by Trans Siberian Orchestra.
And then there’s the poem for my memorial folder. Not that I’m gonna need one anytime soon (that I’m aware of), but for someone who lives in ruts, there are just certain times I would like to step out of them. Again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the norm; there are just times when I would like something a little different, if a little different is an option. And I think I finally found the one I want to use, mainly because it expresses everything I hope my family and friends will remember—and do—when I am gone . . .
Will You
When I am gone, will you see the world for me?
Will you watch the sun rise in the mists
to bathe the world with light?
Will you see the miracles of a flower,
the beauty of the fields?
Will you walk through wooded ways to brush the branches
and free the rain’s last drops?
Will you sit in silence as the day ends and behold
the wonders of her death—
the glory of the sun as it cleanses the clouds
with its fire?
Let your eyes be mine that I might see it all.
Listen for me, that I might hear the first bird,
the laughter of a child,
the silence of the night.
Be my eyes, my ears, my hands,
To do for others as I could not,
For I was not there to see their pain;
I never knew their needs.
Please, live for me when I am gone
That my life may not end in death.
I think that’s a most appropriate way to say farewell to the world . . . now, if it’ll just fit inside the memorial folder . . .
About the author: Lisa Shackelford Thomas is a fourth generation member of a family that’s been in funeral service since 1926. She has been employed at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Savannah, Tennessee for over 40 years and currently serves as the manager there. Any opinions expressed here are hers and hers alone, and may or may not reflect the opinions of other Shackelford family members or staff.
