If I should die.... think only this of me:
- Thread starter Zulu Romeo
- Start date
I would want everfyone to focus on Christ. I'd like to be remembered as a man of faith. As to funeral and all that: I would like a burial. How big the funeral would be?/no idea. Probably a few hundred people since I would think many people would come out who don't know me but go to my church. I want to die when God calls me home. My will would be a long time from now.
Withers
Captain
I discovered at a young age I felt the entire point of my life was to be remembered. To prove myself worthy of having sentience in the first place I feel it my solemn duty to contribute something to mankind that will outlast not only me but everyone I'll have ever met by the time I die. When I was younger I planned to build things. I wanted to rival the Pyramids with a giant Cube that could easily been seen from space... until I hit the age of Eleven and the impracticalities of such a plan were made apparent by my uncle who is a complete dream-killing D-bag. 
As I grew up the challenge became more and more pressing; what would I do that could leave a lasting impression and ensure that I would be remembered? It has been 13 years since and I'm still not entirely certain what I'll do. Maybe I'll write a book that people will one day call a classic. Maybe I'll create a screen play or a song or act in a movie that will be thought of as unforgettable in generations to come. I'm not entirely sure what it will be but I know it will be something.
So when I do die my death won't matter- I will live on and on, my right to exist justified by my contributions. If I fail at that I expect them to dump my worthless corpse behind the chemical sheds and forget that I ever existed in the first place.
As I grew up the challenge became more and more pressing; what would I do that could leave a lasting impression and ensure that I would be remembered? It has been 13 years since and I'm still not entirely certain what I'll do. Maybe I'll write a book that people will one day call a classic. Maybe I'll create a screen play or a song or act in a movie that will be thought of as unforgettable in generations to come. I'm not entirely sure what it will be but I know it will be something.
So when I do die my death won't matter- I will live on and on, my right to exist justified by my contributions. If I fail at that I expect them to dump my worthless corpse behind the chemical sheds and forget that I ever existed in the first place.
-Withers-
I discovered at a young age I felt the entire point of my life was to be remembered. To prove myself worthy of having sentience in the first place I feel it my solemn duty to contribute something to mankind that will outlast not only me but everyone I'll have ever met by the time I die. When I was younger I planned to build things. I wanted to rival the Pyramids with a giant Cube that could easily been seen from space... until I hit the age of Eleven and the impracticalities of such a plan were made apparent by my uncle who is a complete dream-killing D-bag.
As I grew up the challenge became more and more pressing; what would I do that could leave a lasting impression and ensure that I would be remembered? It has been 13 years since and I'm still not entirely certain what I'll do. Maybe I'll write a book that people will one day call a classic. Maybe I'll create a screen play or a song or act in a movie that will be thought of as unforgettable in generations to come. I'm not entirely sure what it will be but I know it will be something.
So when I do die my death won't matter- I will live on and on, my right to exist justified by my contributions. If I fail at that I expect them to dump my worthless corpse behind the chemical sheds and forget that I ever existed in the first place.
-Withers-
Most people achieve this by having a kid.
May I be the first to congratulate you on your excellent start.
Withers
Captain
I discovered at a young age I felt the entire point of my life was to be remembered. To prove myself worthy of having sentience in the first place I feel it my solemn duty to contribute something to mankind that will outlast not only me but everyone I'll have ever met by the time I die. When I was younger I planned to build things. I wanted to rival the Pyramids with a giant Cube that could easily been seen from space... until I hit the age of Eleven and the impracticalities of such a plan were made apparent by my uncle who is a complete dream-killing D-bag.
As I grew up the challenge became more and more pressing; what would I do that could leave a lasting impression and ensure that I would be remembered? It has been 13 years since and I'm still not entirely certain what I'll do. Maybe I'll write a book that people will one day call a classic. Maybe I'll create a screen play or a song or act in a movie that will be thought of as unforgettable in generations to come. I'm not entirely sure what it will be but I know it will be something.
So when I do die my death won't matter- I will live on and on, my right to exist justified by my contributions. If I fail at that I expect them to dump my worthless corpse behind the chemical sheds and forget that I ever existed in the first place.
-Withers-
Most people achieve this by having a kid.
First of all, that's a shame. Secondly, there are orientation issues involved in direct procreation (the only sort I would find acceptable under the terms mentioned above). Finally, I don't want to be one of those parents who forces their children into sports at a young age, dictates which college they will attend, and then forces them into one of three careers (doctor, lawyer, business executive.) I have to do it. My parents pinned all their hopes and dreams on me but unlike them I've no intention of passing the buck.
-Withers-
My thoughts on death over the years-
1-7: Death? Whats that?
8-11: Giant lobsters are going to emerge from the closet and kill me. Either that or I'll be eaten by a dinosaur.
12-14: No longer afraid of dinosaurs, but somewhat afraid of Bigfoot and/or drowning. Though, not necessarily being drowned by a Bigfoot.
15-17: My classmates are going to kill me.
18-24: Death? Pshaw. I ain't 'fraid of no death. (Does a bunch of reckless stuff)
25-29: I am no longer going to die. A miracle breakthrough will be discovered any day now which will enable us all to live forever. It's inevitable. Thanks, marijuana, for this unique perspective.
30: Oh sh-t, I really am going to die.
31: and soon, if I don't quit the booze/pot/tobacco/kentucky fried chicken.
32: You're still going to die, and you don't believe in an afterlife. So better get cracking, sonny.
33-34: Plays Warcraft for two years.
35: Writes a novel.
Present: Plans to outlive his parents.
1-7: Death? Whats that?
8-11: Giant lobsters are going to emerge from the closet and kill me. Either that or I'll be eaten by a dinosaur.
12-14: No longer afraid of dinosaurs, but somewhat afraid of Bigfoot and/or drowning. Though, not necessarily being drowned by a Bigfoot.
15-17: My classmates are going to kill me.
18-24: Death? Pshaw. I ain't 'fraid of no death. (Does a bunch of reckless stuff)
25-29: I am no longer going to die. A miracle breakthrough will be discovered any day now which will enable us all to live forever. It's inevitable. Thanks, marijuana, for this unique perspective.
30: Oh sh-t, I really am going to die.
31: and soon, if I don't quit the booze/pot/tobacco/kentucky fried chicken.
32: You're still going to die, and you don't believe in an afterlife. So better get cracking, sonny.
33-34: Plays Warcraft for two years.
35: Writes a novel.
Present: Plans to outlive his parents.
Why not? I did.
This is an interesting thread. It has occurred to me that I don't really know what sort of service/memorial I would want, if only because I don't really have a basis for how it's done. I've been to services in India for Indian relatives, and one or two Christian funerals here, but never something for someone of an Indian background in America. I know I would want to be cremated, and I suppose then there would be some sort of gathering. I wouldn't want anything big, and I want my ashes disposed of quickly. Not scattered somewhere special, just gone.
I'm not ready to die now, although I have been suicidal in the past and I am sure I will have moments again in the future. I have goals I would like to achieve and as time goes on I suspect the goals will change but continue to exist.
I have no idea how people will remember me. I'm many things, some of them quite nice and others quite unpleasant. Ultimately, I hope there will be a few individuals whose lives I have affected positively, even if only in a very small way. I don't want to be remembered for very long ... I would eventually like to pleasantly fade away from the memories of those who knew me.
I'm also reminded of one of my favorite quotes which originates with Bessie Anderson Stanley but is often misattributed to Emerson:
To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!
I'm not ready to die now, although I have been suicidal in the past and I am sure I will have moments again in the future. I have goals I would like to achieve and as time goes on I suspect the goals will change but continue to exist.
I have no idea how people will remember me. I'm many things, some of them quite nice and others quite unpleasant. Ultimately, I hope there will be a few individuals whose lives I have affected positively, even if only in a very small way. I don't want to be remembered for very long ... I would eventually like to pleasantly fade away from the memories of those who knew me.
I'm also reminded of one of my favorite quotes which originates with Bessie Anderson Stanley but is often misattributed to Emerson:
To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!
As to how I will be remembered...I would like to hope I will be remembered as someone who loved God, tried to serve Him, and in the end went home to be with Him.
I think it would be selfish of me to demand that people feel a certain way about my passing, and while I would ask that my funeral be kept relatively simple, I also recognize that funerals are for the living, not for the person that has passed. I want to hope people will remember that I am at peace and in the presence of God--but I also don't think the grief should be held in or ignored...people have the right to their grief and tears if they need it.
There is much I still hope to do in this world, and I would hope to accomplish those things before I die. That said, I am not afraid to die whenever the time comes; I believe the time I am given here will be right...not too little, and not too much.
I think it would be selfish of me to demand that people feel a certain way about my passing, and while I would ask that my funeral be kept relatively simple, I also recognize that funerals are for the living, not for the person that has passed. I want to hope people will remember that I am at peace and in the presence of God--but I also don't think the grief should be held in or ignored...people have the right to their grief and tears if they need it.
There is much I still hope to do in this world, and I would hope to accomplish those things before I die. That said, I am not afraid to die whenever the time comes; I believe the time I am given here will be right...not too little, and not too much.
It looks like a cat.
It is indeed a Cat.
Eh?
You had pushy parents. Here's a revelation for you: they are in the minority.
Shame? It's simply the most wonderful thing in the world and an very, very minor, unintentional bonus is you will definitely have one person mourning your passing.
My thoughts on death over the years-
1-7: Death? Whats that?
8-11: Giant lobsters are going to emerge from the closet and kill me. Either that or I'll be eaten by a dinosaur.
12-14: No longer afraid of dinosaurs, but somewhat afraid of Bigfoot and/or drowning. Though, not necessarily being drowned by a Bigfoot.
15-17: My classmates are going to kill me.
18-24: Death? Pshaw. I ain't 'fraid of no death. (Does a bunch of reckless stuff)
25-29: I am no longer going to die. A miracle breakthrough will be discovered any day now which will enable us all to live forever. It's inevitable. Thanks, marijuana, for this unique perspective.
30: Oh sh-t, I really am going to die.
31: and soon, if I don't quit the booze/pot/tobacco/kentucky fried chicken.
32: You're still going to die, and you don't believe in an afterlife. So better get cracking, sonny.
33-34: Plays Warcraft for two years.
35: Writes a novel.
Present: Plans to outlive his parents.
My morning coffee spew!!!! What a great post! 
Lesser immortality seems hardly worth it to me, though I appreciate that I am in a minority on this and many people truly enjoy having children.
But to me, 3 or 4 generations of meaningful remembrance at most.... well, for the time & effort required to look after a kid it doesn't strike me as a good trade off.
I much prefer the concept of greater immortality achieved through wisdom rather than procreation. Now, I may never actually achieve that since I'm far too lazy to really gain greater immortality through my own works, but I do hope to endow a Chair or grant following my death so that my name will live on as long as the university stands. And given that it's been around the best part of a millennium already, I figure that's a much better investment than children.
^^ I'll achieve lesser immortality through my Niece and Nephew, and greater immortality by them preserving my creative works.
And literal immortality by not dying.
And literal immortality by not dying.
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