Last week I said my husband and I didn’t want obituaries when we pass on. Actually I don’t care one way or another, but my husband bristles at the idea of having one.
Why? Well, let me tell you a story. When my daughter was a teenager the three of us were sitting around the dinner table one evening and she said, “Father, when I grow up I’m going to make a lot of money and I’m going to give some of it to a university for a building. The building will be named after you and inside there will be a big picture of you. Underneath the picture there will be a plaque that says
Fools’ names, like their faces
Always appear in public places.
My husband and I roared with laughter because that was one of his favorite expressions, learned from his mother who also felt strongly about avoiding publicity. So I wouldn’t think of dishonoring him by publishing his obituary. 🙂
I, on the other hand, don’t mind being a fool. If I did I wouldn’t have my two blogs as well as plastering my gravatar on other people’s sites. And I would miss out on a lot of fun.
Foolishness is underrated.
I can’t imagine Stanford without the Stanford family memorial plaques. On the other hand, Mit gets along fine without a memorial to the Mit family. Some day I will find time to dabble in foolishness.
Looney,
Your comment about the Mit family counts in my book. 😀
That’s a great saying to put someone in their place when they are going mad to ‘publicize’ themselves so to speak. But if one goes frequently into the public domain to help make the world a more aware place, so to speak, one should not be too worried about being branded as a fool, or whatever.
I’m sorry my brain is a bit befuddled so I can’t comprehend this column…
I probably said something similar last week but this week has even been more full than previous weeks. My livejournal entry will show you something on the matter!
However, the upshot of this week has been a feeling I’m back in the Uni ‘saddle’ which can only be said to be GREAT!
gaelikaa,
I agree. The fact that my daughter could tease my husband about it means she wasn’t intimidated.
Cathy,
Thank you for coming by. I’m glad things are going well and will go to your site to read about it.
Yes, foolishness is very underrated indeed. That is a lovely saw and I intend using it often. Some of my acquaintances will benefit. Do you think that I will? My avatar appears on many blogs too!
rummuser,
You have no trouble with foolishness, thank goodness. 😀