Celebration of Life
Thoughts from a funeral of a young friend20 total reviews
Comment from sgalletti
My husband's eldest son died when he was 18 years old, on his graduation night. It devastated him. His friends reminded everyone of the spirit of John Jr. by what they did rather than what they said at his funeral. I so related to your well crafted piece. I am so pleased that Alvin sponsored this contest to allow so many good writers to share very personal and honest stories which I am enjoying reading. I rarely enter "spiritual" contests or post faith based poems myself, although I am privately a very spiritual person. However, this prompt grabbed me and other good writers to share stories about their lives, which I embrace. I enjoyed reading your story. Best of luck in the contest. Sue
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2011
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My husband's eldest son died when he was 18 years old, on his graduation night. It devastated him. His friends reminded everyone of the spirit of John Jr. by what they did rather than what they said at his funeral. I so related to your well crafted piece. I am so pleased that Alvin sponsored this contest to allow so many good writers to share very personal and honest stories which I am enjoying reading. I rarely enter "spiritual" contests or post faith based poems myself, although I am privately a very spiritual person. However, this prompt grabbed me and other good writers to share stories about their lives, which I embrace. I enjoyed reading your story. Best of luck in the contest. Sue
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2011
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Thanks Sue - I am going to visit your story. I share you sentiment about being privately spiritual. Warm regards...
Comment from AlvinTEthington
What a great learning experience this was for you! I definitely want a wake for my funeral (I definitely want to be there and I will haunt the heck out of everyone.) Seriously, when someone dies so young, there is a temptation to turn the service into a morbid tragedy, but this shows great ancient wisdom in celebrating the sixteen years of life that this young man gave to those about him. I would not capitalize Church in this context, but that is a personal preference. Great juxtaposition of picture and poem.
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2011
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What a great learning experience this was for you! I definitely want a wake for my funeral (I definitely want to be there and I will haunt the heck out of everyone.) Seriously, when someone dies so young, there is a temptation to turn the service into a morbid tragedy, but this shows great ancient wisdom in celebrating the sixteen years of life that this young man gave to those about him. I would not capitalize Church in this context, but that is a personal preference. Great juxtaposition of picture and poem.
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2011
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Thanks for reading Alvin and thanks for sponsoring this contest. I am very spirtual, but generally in a quiet way. Regards ....
Comment from N.K. Wagner
Many ethnic cultures Wake their dead, gathering in the deceased's presence to memorialize their life. The funeral is then a depersonalized celebration of Eternal Life. For some, that is comforting, for some, not. In recent years, I have attended more memorial services than funeral services. A memorial service is as you describe. It means more to me, as well. Interesting that, in this case the two traditions were combined. I'm sure it gave comfort to all. God Bless. Nancy
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2011
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Many ethnic cultures Wake their dead, gathering in the deceased's presence to memorialize their life. The funeral is then a depersonalized celebration of Eternal Life. For some, that is comforting, for some, not. In recent years, I have attended more memorial services than funeral services. A memorial service is as you describe. It means more to me, as well. Interesting that, in this case the two traditions were combined. I'm sure it gave comfort to all. God Bless. Nancy
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2011
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Thanks for reading Nancy and for your kind feedback.
Comment from cheyennewy
Hi Author,
This is a wonderful description of a funeral that touched you so. The funeral is for the living to remember their loved ones but a celebration of their life makes so much more sense. I am glad you think so to and was prompted to write this beautiful story. Well done and good luck in the contest....blesings, chey
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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Hi Author,
This is a wonderful description of a funeral that touched you so. The funeral is for the living to remember their loved ones but a celebration of their life makes so much more sense. I am glad you think so to and was prompted to write this beautiful story. Well done and good luck in the contest....blesings, chey
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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Thanks for reading Chey and for your kind comments.
Comment from Carolyn Hilliard
I found it interesting that Amazing Grace was sung in Cherokee. My husband, who has passed was Cherokee and he believed in celebrating death and crying at births. Enjoyed your story very much; especially that all emotions were drawn out.
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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I found it interesting that Amazing Grace was sung in Cherokee. My husband, who has passed was Cherokee and he believed in celebrating death and crying at births. Enjoyed your story very much; especially that all emotions were drawn out.
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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Thanks Carolyn - I've actually tried to find a recording. You did not have to know the words to appreciate the beauty.
Comment from Jeanie Mercer
This is a touching piece about the funeral of the young man and the way his friends and peers captured the essence of his life. "Celebration of Life" is well named. Good luck to you, Jeanie Mercer
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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This is a touching piece about the funeral of the young man and the way his friends and peers captured the essence of his life. "Celebration of Life" is well named. Good luck to you, Jeanie Mercer
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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Thank you Jeanie - first for reading and then for your kind feedback.
Comment from thorney
Hi there. A moving rendition. It's so sad when a young life is taken from us. Adam seems to have capture the hearts of many of his friends--and in a way, moved yours.
Good telling.
Just a couple of suggestions for you to consider:
Listening to the well known tune, - well-known
My entire life, I've been to funerals where somewhere along the line something was said about them being a celebration of life. - passive
Try:
During my entire life, when at funerals, somewhere along the line someone remarked about them being a celebration of life.
Regards, Pete.
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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Hi there. A moving rendition. It's so sad when a young life is taken from us. Adam seems to have capture the hearts of many of his friends--and in a way, moved yours.
Good telling.
Just a couple of suggestions for you to consider:
Listening to the well known tune, - well-known
My entire life, I've been to funerals where somewhere along the line something was said about them being a celebration of life. - passive
Try:
During my entire life, when at funerals, somewhere along the line someone remarked about them being a celebration of life.
Regards, Pete.
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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Thanks for reading Pete and the helpful feedback.
Comment from Mara del Mar
It's a nice flowing reading, although it is a funeral and logic, is not happy. Good sequences and images that describe the attitude of people during the ceremony. It's a job well done this contest, so good luck!
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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It's a nice flowing reading, although it is a funeral and logic, is not happy. Good sequences and images that describe the attitude of people during the ceremony. It's a job well done this contest, so good luck!
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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Thank you for reading and for your kind comments
Comment from fastdigits
A beautifully written piece that
wraps itself around one's heart
as your tale unfurls, bringing
forth and giving pause to the
feelings when one leaves the
earthly bounds.
Well done
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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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A beautifully written piece that
wraps itself around one's heart
as your tale unfurls, bringing
forth and giving pause to the
feelings when one leaves the
earthly bounds.
Well done
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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Thank you very much for reading and for your kind and generous feedback!
Comment from sweetwoodjax
this is a nice story, a wonderful tribute to the young man who died and the legacy of memories he left for his friends and renewal of spirit for those who attended his funeral. i wish you the best of luck in the contest
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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this is a nice story, a wonderful tribute to the young man who died and the legacy of memories he left for his friends and renewal of spirit for those who attended his funeral. i wish you the best of luck in the contest
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 24-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2011
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Thanks Pam - I appreciate you reading and for your kind feedback.