Eulogy to Nana |
I was reminded, recently, of a quote from Sigmund Freud, on the subject of when a person passes. Freud states, "I ridicule the idea of prearranged burial rites and memorials, all of them expressing the vain and useless wish to be present in some way at one's own funeral." I'll have to disagree with Sigmund Freud. I think it is almost imperative to have a remembrance of a person that touched the heart so. In conjunction, I also believe that it is because of this person that we have a remembrance, in that this is how we verify the claim that someone in our life has graced us with a presence so great, that it cannot bear to be forgot. Then, it is not just at a funeral that one doesn't wish to be forgotten it is for all time. But, for all time, does not mean that one is vain it means that a special person made us feel good about our self, in every facet of life. Memories make us not forget. The memories of my Nana in her waxing years of life are of an honest and forgiving, positive and respectful person; Always accepting of whatever a person was doing, or whomever a person was with, with whatever a person's background; Always intent on listening, without bias, offering a sort of reprieve from the so-called normality of life. Never a day went by that I didn't stop my life for a few minutes to talk with her about something - anything. On the tip of my mind lies the memory of what Nana meant to all that had met her. I can remember all the niceties that everyone contributed to my Nana in her waning years; from the giving of flowers when she fell ill; the cooking of food to ease her discomfort; the making of tinctures for her ailments; or perhaps the simplest of salutation, that carried genuine words of affection. A simple "Hello Nana" often got her to beam her trademark smile. Her prideful smile always showed to me that nothing was ever wrong; nothing could ever be wrong. Kindness, and a genuine sincerity in non-judgemental fashion, was what she held in her heart, to people offering her the same - each in their own way. The true meaning of civility, morality, and ethics I have gathered from the ideals of my Nana and Pop-pop. I can only wish to strive for their ideals, as I grow up. Memories, therefore, are integral for keeping the positive ideology of special people alive, and to help us keep going with our own life, in turn passing on what we know to those around us, and those that will be here after us. The causality of life, therein, is that of the teacher and student. And I'm glad to have had such a great teacher in that of my Nana. So, it seems almost perverse now, in a way, that almost every day of my 30 years is to be summed up in a matter of minutes. So, I will sum it up like this. As long as the memories remain, the departed have not left the house of life; they are but only a room away ... |
