I can't concentrate on all this school garbage so I thought I'd post this story of what not to do at a funeral. Its funny how school makes me think of funerals and death, huh?
When I was about 17 or 18, my former girlfriend's grandmother died. She was understandably distraught and asked if I would go to the funeral with her to provide support. I didn't really want to, I hated funerals and hadn't been to one since I was about 2 when my grandmother died, but I figured it would be the right thing to do. Accordingly, I slipped into my double-breasted suit and got all snazzed-up and off we went.
When we got to the funeral home, people were being ushered in and grieving over their loss. My girlfriend and her sister were locking arms trying to console one another. As we approached the usher, he looked at me and sized me up. Noticing my nice suit, he inquired, "are you a pall bearer." I was confused, I didn't know funeral terminology and so I looked at him and asked "excuse me". "Are you a pall bearer", he again asked. "What is this guy asking me", I thought. Again, "are you a pall bearer". Then came the little thought bubble placed directly over my numb skull, which read, "ah, he thinks I'm one of the Bairds that I went to High School with, one of them must be Paul, he thinks I'm Paul Baird." Naturally, I held out my hand to extend a friendly greeting and said, "no, I'm Clint D. nice to meet you."
The mood around me suddenly shifted. The usher looked at me in horror as if to say, "how dare you make jokes at such a solemn occasion." The people directly around me, including my girlfriend and her sister, went from crying to laughing. At that point, my aversion to funerals grew 10 fold.
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1 comment:
funny anecdote.
on the point of defeating your human nature, i definately believe in progress. I have most certainly changed a great deal, and for the better I believe. I'm just saying I'm not sure it's possible to erradicate hypocrisy completely. There are always moments of weakness. That is part of the "human condition". Imperfection.
As for individual choices and lifestyles, I agree that there is a ripple effect in societies. I do however believe in diversity of opinion and therefore choices in lifestyles.
On a religious level I could speak for hours, but essentially, I do not see God as a judge, but as a being of love. I'm not sure that I can reconcile the idea of immaculate and unconditional love with judgement, condemnation and punishment.
But, that is a topic that could take up quite some time.
Wish you all the best,
Lily
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