I was watchin T.V. the other night and while channel surfing came across a program that got me thinking. I cant remember what the program was, but it got me thinking about the different things you read on peoples headstones' epitaphs at the cemetery.
For example Spike Milligan's headstone is rumoured to read: "I told them I was ill". Others that I found after a short search with Google include: Karl Marx (founder of communism); "Workers of all lands unite. The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it." - Wyatt and Josephine Earp (Sherrif of Tombstone- cowboy era); "Nothing's so sacred as honour, and nothing's so loyal as love." Dean Martin (Actor Singer and member of the Rat Pack); "Everybody loves somebody sometime." Isaac Newton; "Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night: God said, 'Let Newton be!' and all was light." Benjamin Frankin; "The body of Benjamin Franklin, printer (like the cover of an old book, its contents worn out, and stript of its lettering and gilding) lies here, food for worms. Yet the work itself shall not lost, for it will, as he believed, appear once more In a new and more beautiful edition, corrected and amended by its Author." Epitaph for the Unknown Soldier by W. H. Auden; "To save your world you asked this man to die: Would this man, could he see you now, ask why?"
As you can see, some are amusing, some are clever and some are truly profound. Each epitaph says much about the person who lies beneath the stone and dirt. I particularly like the epitaph for the unknown soldier.
What sort of impact will you leave?
What will people say about you when you are gone?
What would you like your epitaph to say on your headstone?
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5 comments:
2 Timothy 4 :7
How selfish and wasteful to want a headstone and a funeral service too, I imagine.
No funeral, grave or rememberance service for my death. Body in the green garbage wheelie bin (where council regulations allow) or legally disposed of at the minimum cost. Maybe auctioned on eBay and the proceeds given to the Salvos.
And what do I want to leave behind, you ask? A large financial debt.
Heart to God, hand to man: Good scripture, something we should all aim for.
David: Thanks for your post. Is that a hint of sarcasm I can sense there? You do raise some interesting points about consumerism though.
isnt it about time you updated your blog dont you have some interestign things to pass on.....
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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