Saturday 30 August 2014

What would I say?

Late yesterday evening. Well, it was actually really early today. Anyway, I read this blog. Written by one of my very favourite bloggers out there. I read her blog every week.

In this one, however, she asked a question that had me pondering all night. Sign of some really good writing, right there. What would you want on your tombstone? One last chance to change the world in a sentence.

Good question!

So, I thought about it. Reading her blog and her reasons for stating her epitaph (you have to read her blog for yourself to find out, I don't want to spoil it for you) over and over again.

My initial reaction? I don't want to be buried. So, no grave and no stone. No. I want to be turned to ashes and then given to the wind. So I can tap people on the shoulder as a little flake of ash. Maybe share a bit of their lives. Driven by the wind I will be going places. That is what I want.

But.

There is something like last words. A legacy. So the question remains.

What would I say to change the world?

Would I want something funny? Something like that guy from Disney? His stone reads:
"That's all folks" . 
Something that brings a smile to faces?
But what? Something like:
"Still quilting"
Somehow, it doesn't feel right. It doesn't feel like a good use of those last words.
Something to sum up my life.....Well, that would still be the Still Quilting one.
No. A lesson than, for the future. Lessons learned in a (hopefully) long and wonderful life. Imagine?

And still, the question remains.

What would I say to change the world?

Something I believe in whole heartedly. Well, it is my legacy. So it would have to be right? But what?
People are essentially good.
You can be anything you want to be.
No. that would be an opening for a discussion. Which is fine in daily life, like Twitter.... Not as an epitaph.

The more I thought about it, the more it became clear to me that I already know what I want it to read. What I want people to know. The only thing that I can do for myself and wish upon others.

So are you ready?

Here it is:

Live lovingly!

If you live lovingly, it would be impossible to hate. It would be impossible to harm others. It would be the most normal thing in the world to help each other. To welcome the refugees. To tend the sick. To help the poor.

Now wouldn't that be an amazing legacy?


Lots of love,
Heleen