Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Death Discussion


Most of you know we don't do Halloween but I figured y'all might not appreciate this topic on many other days. Am I right, or am I right?

AND, I don't have to write everything I want to say because Barbara already quotes, notes, links, and says most of the things I'd like to tell you. So, just click over to Barb's post and then come back here!

Go ahead...click over...I'll wait...

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Read it? OK, you can continue here now.

Many of these thoughts began cropping up in my head after the beautiful experience I had with my Granny when she was called from earth to be with the LORD. I have never fully worked through all of my thoughts but I've had many of these ideas for a while now. I guess I'll have to truly discuss all of this with family some day but if the day for needing these decisions made comes sooner than later, all you blog-readers can attest to my wishes!

In a nutshell, I'd like:
-death at home without over-medication. Keep me aware of my situation!
-family at my side
-pine box, wicker or similar wooden/naturally decomposing coffin
-natural oils & spices in place of chemical embalming
-funeral time spent in praise and pointing people to Jesus with a time of invitation

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[f] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[g] 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died[h] will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.


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(p.s. - I still nauseatingly cringe about all the plastic used to bury our dog, Lucy...I honestly can't stand to think about it....purposely thinking of something else now....la la la la...)

5 comments:

Steph said...

I could honestly be a funeral planner I think. I really don't think I would mind working at a funeral home. I would like to think I would enjoy helping people in their time of need. We're odd people, that's for sure! I want my body either donated to science or cremated. I'd donate my organs but I don't think they'll take them. I don't care if I end up in the ground, it's just not my preference. I think about these things whenever I hear about such situations in others lives. Maybe I am grim but oh well... I assure folks that I am not eager to die but I certainly accept it as a reality! Others would be wise to do the same. Well, enough about all of that but IT IS Halloween so I don't think all of this talk is inappropriate, right? Anyone? Anyone? Well, wait til you see pics from our boys (all THREE of them, mind you!)

Optimus Primate said...

Stace! Add this beneath "Love of Peanut Butter" to the list of thing(s) we have in common (excepting the religious stuff, of course). Our list grew two sizes today. :)

Seriously, pluck the bits out of me that anyone else happens to need (assuming they're still in good working order), comb my hair, dig a hole, stick me in it, and plant a tree on top of me so at least some of me still lives on.

If you haven't read it yet, you simply must check out Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. It's not nearly as gruesome as it sounds; in fact, it's one of the funniest (and most informative) books I've read in years.

Jenny said...

You guys got me all depressed. :)

Stacy said...

Steph & Dennis, you both made me realize that I didn't include organ donation to my list but YES, I am totally cool with donating my organs. I've also considered donating my body to science if it would help with the research of nutrition and wellness.

Steph, I can't wait to see more pictures :)

Dennis, it will be interesting to see how many more things we can add to the PB & Death list! LOL Our list of things better left un-discussed will probably continue to grow but if religion ever does get back on the table, I hope you know my only reason for wanting to talk about it with you is to have you as a brother in Christ :) (By the way, I am still praying for you!)

Jen, no need to be depressed! "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21NIV)

Optimus Primate said...

That really means a lot to me, Stace. Not the prayer bit, of course -- just the fact that you care enough to think about me. :)

*hug*