Elizabethtown

This post is really more about a personal wish than the movie, but I figured I better explain the movie a bit.

I originally figured I'd watch the movie purely because it starred Orlando Bloom, but it ended up being a really sweet, very quirky, completely adorable movie. It's basically about a guy, who father passes away, and his journey to retrieve his father's body, plan a funeral and in the meantime, meet the girl of his dreams (Kirsten Dunst). I highly recommend the movie, it's really cute.

So, how does this movie turn into a personal wish? Well, you have to watch the movie to find out the details, but lets just say, it has one of the best funeral memorials I have ever seen. Sadly, I have been to many funerals, but I usually don't find them sad. Yes, I mourn for loved ones, but as my family knows, it's more about celebrating them and their lives to me than it is missing them.

Well, Elizabethtown has a scene, which is the memorial/funeral of the lead characters father. And its exactly what I would want for my own memorial. It became a party, a celebration. The Widow ended up giving a beautiful speech that was more of a comedy act. She ended up dancing and singing and enjoy life. A nephew of the deceased got on stage with his rock band and brought down the house. By the end, everyone was laughing and celebrating and enjoying themselves, and those around them. Okay, so ignore the fact that the whole memorial went down in flames, literally. I wouldn't want a paper dove setting on fire and ending the celebration early. But, the point would be, I wouldn't want people to be sad. Bring in a band, bring in a Karaoke Machine. Serve breaded mushrooms and wine (my family would understand that one). Just be together, remember the good times, not just with me, but every good time in your life. There is a big difference between tears of sadness, and tears of joy. You would all get your time to mourn me in your own way, but together, cry tears of joy. Be Happy! Celebrate.

Now, as I don't plan to have this day come for a great many years, I don't want anyone making plans right now. But as I don't think the internet is going anywhere anytime soon, this will hopefully be here as a reference 70 years from now. (Yup, that'd make me 98, I'm not optimistic enough for 100, so 98 it is). Or maybe a loved one will simply read this and remember this for the future.

The reality is, none of never know when our time is coming, so each moment should be lived to the fullest. That's not always easy, and we all fail at that task sometimes, but it's worth trying. And it's important to be prepared. Not live in fear of dying, but make our wishes known.


That's my wish.