Reading the obits

Today, I got up early to go and help my sister-in-law clean out Dad’s house and get it ready for sale. I went to Tim Horton’s to grab something to eat first (oatmeal and a tea) and picked up a newspaper laying on one of the tables. Being a compulsive reader, I scanned the first section I saw – the obituaries.

The first one that caught my eye was about a woman who emigrated to Canada and spent her life raising her brood and giving her energy to multiple causes, which were listed but I forgot them already. This woman was apparently quite a free thinker and spirit, passionate about her beliefs, and walked her talk. This much I remember!

Then I read the next one – this woman’s obit was much shorter and spoke only of her love of clothes, shoes and golf. In that order.

I remembered more of the details of this obituary because I thought to myself: I hope when I go that I have left enough of an impact that people have more to say about me than that I liked shoes. I know this is not an original thought. I have read somewhere about living your life with your future obituary in mind, but it is good to be reminded of this.

The WB