The Price of Solitude

I read in the paper an article from a preacher who was contacted by a funeral director to give a customer his dying wish, a funeral. The man months ago chose his casket and the funeral music. He told told the funeral director that he did not exspect anyone to attend the funeral he was planning so carefully, he had no friends. The funeral began with only the funeral director and preacher in attendence. The preacher thought a funeral sermon was unnecessary because they were the only ones to hear it. The funeral director insisted on giving his customer the funeral he paid for. The preacher gave a sermon and the funeral music played on the organ for the deceased. The preacher thought it very sad not have friends to notice your death.

It reminded me of another funeral story I read a while ago. A man dies in a hospital with no family to give a funeral or burial. He mentioned a brother who lived on the other side of the country, but lost contact many years before. Looking inside his wallet, they discovered he was veteran from a war (I forget which one). The hospital called the local veterans group. The veterans of the organization gave the lonely man a funeral complete with flag and Taps on the trumpet. They paid for the tombstone also simply because he was a veteran. I thought that was sweet.

I know someone will mourn my passing whether it's tomorrow or 60 years from now. I have four nieces who light up when I enter a room. When they visit my parents' house they ask why I'm not there, even though they know I live in an apartment. I may not have reliable friends at work, but I'm sure they would miss me. Then, I have my email pals who would mourn me too. I don't think anyone at my volunteer work would notice my absence. I may live a solitary life, but I make up for it with another type of connection to people. I may not get a funeral fit for a queen, but then I don't need one to feel loved. Post later. Bye!