When I'm Gone…

An essay and a free prose poem

We all know how short is Life. Some of us know ours will be shorter still. I have often felt that my life will not be long like those who came before me. My Gran lived to 90 and her mother lived to 89. A great, great grandmother (I think on my Gran's father's side) lived to 104. Frankly, I'm surprised to still be here at 51. I didn't try very hard to get here, that's certain. I never felt I had a reason to get here before I met my husband and we had our son. Now, I have so much to live for. But, I don't fret that I still feel I have little time left to me. I'm thankful every morning for another day… another day of seeing my son grow and become the wonderful person I can already see in him. 

I make now,

to all who know me, 

a request 

to remember me 

not with great, snot-gobbery tears, 

blobbing down emptily 

to dry and be forgotten. 

Celebrate me 

when I've passed. 

All I ask 

is that when I'm gone, 

in my name, 

please spend just one day… 

One day a year…

It's not too much to ask…

Spend a day

And think of my heart

Honor me

in some simple way

to make your corner of this world

A better place for others,

by service to those in need. 

Volunteer in a shelter. Lend your strength to a worthy cause, like Habitat for Humanity. Or spend a day helping feed the hungry and/or homeless. Spend a day volunteering in a nursing home. Do something like that in my name and that will be, to me, the best way I could ever be remembered.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree dear Poet.
"Volunteer in a shelter. Lend your strength to a worthy cause, like Habitat for Humanity. Or spend a day helping feed the hungry and/or homeless. Spend a day volunteering in a nursing home. Do something like that in my name and that will be, to me, the best way I could ever be remembered."
Gift of charity is the best way to remember a love one missed. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[MomzillaNC]

Thanks so much. I appreciate your perfect understanding of my intent.

[Coyote Poetry]

I did and you are welcome.

[Saddam]

Fantastic write, I like it.
An inspirational thought.
Great write and read.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you very much.

[Saddam]

Most welcome dear....

[Nadia Gerassimenko]

That was a lovely way of saying don't cry over me, don't stop leaving because I am gone, but do remember me as someone who did good and pass on my legacy with good actions yourself. And in this way, I will always be by your heart.

[MomzillaNC]

I presume you meant, "don't stop loving" and in that case, EXACTLY. I'm pleased my intent is so clear. Thank you very much.

[Nadia Gerassimenko]

Oops brain fart, I meant "living" lol! But loving too!

[MomzillaNC]

:D :)

[Bright Ocean Star]

I love this sentiment. How absolutely lovely. We should all get to work and honor a loved one in this manner. Very, very nice writing. I enjoyed this one. You speak of dying and being remembered with such a soft, gentle, almost hypnotic voice. Thank you for this one, MZ. You gave us all a lot to think about...:)

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you. I'm honored you find meaning in my wishes.

[Confuser]

I love it!! It is so beautiful and inspiring and I thought - I will long gone before you but then the thought of me being in a nursing home "fully" lost by then, but someone will follow your wishes, say your name and for awhile a flood of your lovely stories and poetry will come back to me and I will smile like now. I don't volunteer like I used to - I did at a nursing home once long ago. You have left a wonderful legacy already Momzilla. You have helped me so much and I will never forget. Tks.Dale

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you, Dale.

[Confuser]

You're welcome. Loved it.

[Pryde Foltz]

A wonderful way to live on … in the love and care of other. Blessings, Denise.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you.

[armin]

what a wise thought and very well written. I have the same insight helping others and needy ones is a great way and an honour to bring the humanity back in this greedy world.
When I am gone remember me, not with teardrops on your face celebrate it, do it as I told you. Honour me make this world a better place for others by serving them with your helpful hands.

I really loved those kind thoughts. Thanks.

armin ....

[MomzillaNC]

Thanks. I'm pleased this one spoke to you.

[Chuba kichu]

Very ture. It rhymes with every soul that has a soft heart. Well written.

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you very much.

[TheLostMind]

I think I have read this before.. You posted this on google+ first and then here right?.
I will tell you something I told Richard the other day.

"Because I could not stop for death..
He kindly stopped for me...
The carriage held but just ourselves...
And Immortality " - Emily Dickinson.

Don't think about the future. I know you are not afraid of death.. You are afraid that the Sun will take you down before anybody's known your name. You are afraid of being forgotten.. I will tell you something... Your writes have indeed immortalized you (and I am not saying this because I wanna see you smile over there.. Nope).. You will be remembered as a really good writer..

[MomzillaNC]

Thank you very much. And, yes, I did post this on my blog before posting it here.

I not afraid of dying. I know in my soul where my destination lays. I don't want soppy mourning because what passes from this world passes on to the greatest adventure waiting to be known. I do hope to leave the world a better place. It is my hope that those who love me will carry on that hope for me. It starts in my little corner of the world. Like a pebble cast in the still water, the ripples spread out to every corner…

[TheLostMind]

Nobody wants a soppy mourning.. We all wish, like you do that people who love us will carry on that hope for us.. Its possible.. Yes, we are all selfish.. But still, people can remember us.. carry our message forward.. Charlie Hebdo is an example..

[MomzillaNC]

I agree that everyone is capable of loving and carrying on for us. But, I know plenty of people who want… nay, EXPECT the drama of soppy mourning over their passing. And, people who will expect you to behave that way over the loss of someone close to you. A somber, respectful mourning will lead to accusations that you never really cared.

[TheLostMind]

People who really care about YOU don't care about accusations. They will give a proper respectful mourning...

[MomzillaNC]

I agree :)