Patti set the challenge of writing your own obituary, and also of living out your life with that obituary in mind. That was a very thought-provoking challenge for me, as are so many of the ideas that Ms. Digh puts out there.
Here's what was developed with the ideas percolating in my mind when first I woke up this morning :
Kim (nee de Broin) Mailhot, aka the Rock Fairy, 104,
died in her sleep last night, curled against the back of the love of her life, David Paul Mailhot, 109, also deceased.
She Loved BIG.
She leaves behind her well-loved dear ones to carry on
the endless and infinitely satisfying soul-job of spreading love in the world.
There will be a music-filled, artful, brightly decorated celebration of their lives held by the Lake. Bring on the flowers ! Her favorites were poppies, lilacs, peonies, gerber daisies and tulips. As for donations, give your time, and/or your money, to making every child that you meet know that they are beautiful, valuable and strong. It is what Kim loved to do.
"Love is the Answer to Every Question."
You know what I learned from this exercise ?
I learned that I am no longer afraid of dying.
Not that I want to go anytime soon, thanks !
But that if it were to happen today, that would be alright. I know I am loved. I know that the people I care about know that I love them. I have felt the beauty in the world today. I have touched someone else's heart in a deep and meaningful way. While I still have dreams I want to work towards, and so many things I would love to experience and appreciate, I really don't need anything else.
This is a far, far place from where I was a few months ago, when I was racked with fear of dying. That fear came from the feeling that I was not living the life I wanted to live and that if I was to die, I had wasted my life. I see things so very differently now.
Learning to live my life in the present moment so much more, and to be mindful and truly grateful for its many, many gifts has changed me. I know that shit will still happen. I know I will feel sad and depressed and angry and lost sometimes. But I also know the answer to turn to in those moments of need.
So say it with me now....
"Love".
Off to live my Irresistible Obituary...
Off to Love Big !
