We all love to get in the last word, and for some of us that means writing our own obituaries.
We all love to get in the last word, and for some of us that means writing our own obituaries. Here are three people who did just that, sharing their life stories in their own words.
In his obituary, simply titled “In My Own Words,” Korean War veteran John Ferguson lays out the life he built with his wife and their three children, plus eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The great grandkids warranted three exclamation points, hinting at the pride Ferguson must have felt for his ever-growing family. He was also proud of his accomplishments as a little league team manager and considered himself to be “the greatest Yankee fan that ever lived.” Read more
Amy Adams begins her obituary with a special gift for her children: “I didn’t get everything accomplished I wanted to, so I left it for the kids. The weeds, the garden, the leaky faucets and all my possessions I really did not need after all, and last, but not least, my love.” The story she tells is sweet, full of love and humor, and definitely worth reading.
Retired military man Charles Palmer proves that it’s never too late, or too soon, for a good joke at one’s own expense. He chronicles his own “triumphs and foibles,” and speculates that “Jack Daniels, 3 star Asian food, garlic pizza and good cigars” may have contributed to the “natural causes” that resulted in his death. Palmer’s story moves briskly through childhood, 33 years of military service, and 54 years of marriage. He also pays tribute to his late friends who he feels sure “will be waiting on the far shore [of the River Styx] with a double JD on the rocks” when he arrives. Palmer’s obituary gives a glimpse into the life of a man who must have been the life of the party.
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