Last night, Skye and I gathered around the above piece of paper and tried to figure out what to write on Grandma’s tombstone.
We were not particularly successful.
Partially because we can’t quite decide what’s likely to be on Grandpa’s tombstone.
My dad took Grandma to his grave a few years ago, but neither of them would have considered taking a photo and my dad doesn’t remember.
And we just don’t want it to be a scenario where Grandpa’s says something like “Fought for his country, great man, average bowler.” Which would be strange, and not just because I’m relatively sure my Grandfather never bowled, but also because it would make my Grandma’s tombstone reading of “loving wife, mother, and grandmother” look more like it was saying, “married to that guy, who was awesome, if you haven’t heard.”
But what, really, can you say to sum up a person in four lines of fifteen characters each?
This made us realize, it’s probably best if everyone leaves behind their own wishes for their grave inscriptions.
I haven’t really settled on something perfect, but thought I’d share my rough drafts.
“Was awkward at
parties but
seemed alright
online.”
“Loved reading,
her family &
friends, & chee-
sy crackers.”
(I’d have written Cheez-Its, but I don’t want future generations to think I wrote my tombstone based on product placement.)
(Plus, they’ll probably live in a barren wasteland devoid of Cheez-Its, so no need to taunt them with what is no longer.)
“Traveled
to Canada &
didn’t die.
Success.”
(This, obviously, would need to be edited if I end up dying in Canada. Or in what is then known as Canada, after their moose invasion.)
“Once met a
Beatle. It
didn’t go
well.”
(It’s always good to have life goals. Like meeting a Beatle. It not going well is only an assumption I’m making based on my past life experience.)
“Only wore
skirts. Died of
frostbite. That
was silly.”
They probably need more work
And more references
To murder mysteries
Though that might seem in poor taste
If I end up murdered,
Megan
I’ll Be Dead And That’ll Be Sad (A Rough Draft)
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m always partial to things like:
Hey, Watch This!!
I wonder what happens if I touch these two wires together.
What was that noise? I’m gonna go check. Be right back.
You know, last words kind of things. I think that should be memorialized, and what better place than on marble?
Not sure about the “Was awkward at parties but seemed alright online.” one. I haven’t been to a party with you, but I have been coming here reading online.
Let me get this straight…you pour the essence of a life onto a tombstone, and the content is subject to the approval of the cemetery director (…) ? Who apparently gets to decide whether it is in good taste? Could be crushing. Good thing you are doing yours ahead of time.
For your grandma:
Sweet thing,
tidy as a whip,
movie buff, Tom
Hankswasherfavorite
Hmmm, that’s not gonna fit. Can’t get much shorter than Tom Hanks. That’s not very many characters for summing up a precious life under the scrutiny of a cemetery director.
*hugs* on dealing with all of this . . . I break down trying to think of doing the same with the loved ones in my life.
I picture, for you:
Vigilant about
serial-killer
avoidance &
made many laugh
I think you’d be okay with the Cheez-its endorsement. It’s expensive, so maybe they could help fund some of it in the future.
Best of luck to you – I know that has to be a tough thing to come up with.
Dark humor. It’s sanity saving, isn’t it?
No Lincoln quote?!
I think the “Awkward at Parties” one could describe too many people. It would become future generations R.I.P. Unless that’s what you’re going for, you might want to be more specific. Although, I know a couple of Canadians, and I don’t think they’d be offended by that one.
I was going to say something along the lines of what Mindee said…I think since laughter is one of the things that keeps us both sane and healthy, that you might be one of the least crazy and most healthy people around.
You can see humor in life, and that? Is a very good thing. Hope you are all doing well.
I imagine if I had to write my tombstone summary, I would be paralyzed with indecision and not write anything, and be left unmarked and unacknowledged. Instead of that, I think your grandma would appreciate anything you wrote, hard as I suspect it is to write it.
Simply gallant . I trust your bold steps (in thoughts though)! And am happy that you decided not to be too lazy this time around. Lol!
Ugh – that’s tough! I don’t even know where to start. But I think you should consider incorporating a haiku format into the inscription… haikus can’t lose!
References to murder mysteries would only be in poor taste if you were NOT murdered.
I think Grandma’s should make reference to her on-camera presence. Something like “unwavering under pressure, took all of life in stride.” You don’t have to use all the lines, do you?
Yours should read something like “made it to the/ inauguration/ finally.”
Mine will say “just five more/ minutes/ please.”
A quote is always good. For Grandma’s columbarium she had “Carpe Diem” (from her favorite movie) and mom’s columbarium had “hyacinth’s for her soul” (from her favorite poem). You should totally have a Lincoln quote on yours. That’d be nice.
I think my favorite is the “met a Beattle” one. Classic!
I’ve never thought about what to put on my tombstone. Great. The pressure is on and that’s one thing you can never cross off your list.
Mine will say- You should see the other guy.