tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638732395405251783.post3799612283022716117..comments2009-04-10T14:50:33.511-07:00Comments on Mumbling Incoherently: My Gramma ConnieUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638732395405251783.post-90758185420242056752009-04-10T14:50:00.000-07:002009-04-10T14:50:00.000-07:00Just beautiful, David. Families are complicated a...Just beautiful, David. Families are complicated at best, but it sounds like you found a way to appreciate this clearly complicated - and interesting - woman.Louise Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02477793273746049199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638732395405251783.post-40311480321406366602009-04-10T09:51:00.000-07:002009-04-10T09:51:00.000-07:00Kurt Vonnegut's Great-Grandfather, Clemens Vonnegu...Kurt Vonnegut's Great-Grandfather, Clemens Vonnegut, planned his own funneral 32 years before he died. He wrote these words to his mourners:<BR/><BR/>"Friends or Opponents: To all of you who stand here to deliver my<BR/>body to the earth:<BR/>To you, my next of kin:<BR/><BR/>Do not mourn! I have now arrived at the end of the course of life,<BR/>as you will eventually arrive at yours. I am at rest and nothing<BR/>will ever disturb my deep slumber.<BR/>I am disturbed by no worries, no grief, no fears, no wishes, no<BR/>passions, no pains, no reproaches from others. All is infinitely<BR/>well with me.<BR/><BR/>I departed from life with loving, affectionate feelings for all<BR/>mankind; and I admonish you: Be aware of this truth that the<BR/>people on this earth could be joyous, if only they would live<BR/>rationally and if they would contribute mutually to each others'<BR/>welfare.<BR/><BR/>This world is not a vale of sorrows if you will recognize<BR/>discriminatingly what is truly excellent in it; and if you will<BR/>avail yourself of it for mutual happiness and well-being.<BR/><BR/>Therefore, let us explain as often as possible, and particularly at<BR/>the departure from life, that we base our faith on firm<BR/>foundations, on Truth for putting into action our ideas which do<BR/>not depend on fables and ideas which Science has long ago proven to be false.<BR/><BR/>We also wish Knowledge, Goodness, Sympathy, Mercy, Wisdom, Justice,<BR/>and Truthfulness. We also strive for and venerate all of those<BR/>attributes from which the fantasy of man has created a God. We<BR/>also strive for the virtues of Temperance, Industriousness,<BR/>Friendship, and Peace. We believe in pure ideas based on Truth and<BR/>Justice..."Infosciphihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09121823206819606621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-638732395405251783.post-41755289843877811702009-04-10T09:46:00.000-07:002009-04-10T09:46:00.000-07:00oh David. I'm so sorry that you are losing her so...oh David. I'm so sorry that you are losing her soon. But with dementia you sort of lose them slowly along the way. I envy your conversations with your her. The only grandparent I knew was my mother's mom, who died when I was six. I have wished for times like you have had and have done everything I can to make sure that my children have them.<BR/><BR/>Our parents and grandparents were all fallible people, just like us. I think that each generation, if they have any integrity at all, tries to improve upon the mistakes of those who have come before, while preserving the best we received from them. It's how we evolve as a species and as individuals.<BR/><BR/>I have said this before, as this is not my first account I have read of Connie, but she sounds like a wonderful, authentic person. Partially because of, and not in spite of, her flaws and character.<BR/><BR/>I had several dreams like you had after my younger brother died. Whether it is our unconscious coming to terms with their passing and saying good-bye, or if their soul or spirit is making those good-byes on it's own, the meaning is there nonetheless. <BR/><BR/>Cherish your memories and make notes on them so you can pass them along to your progeny. You memory will fade as well and the details will become fuzzy. <BR/><BR/>No matter what, I can see the influence Connie had on your life and it is beautiful. These are the aspects of the human experience that continue to give me hope - that show that we are more than the sum of our actions, that we influence others, and that we the human spirit is worth perpetuating and preserving. <BR/><BR/>Good-bye Connie. You will be missed.Infosciphihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09121823206819606621noreply@blogger.com