Around a month ago I was asked to write a Eulogy for myself. This was part of a couple of future planning talks our guys got from a very wise man, Matt Blair. There are quite a few movie quotes, but if they really were said about me I would be proud. So here is the Eulogy I wrote from the perspective of my son.
‘Hello everyone. I am glad all of you could make it. There are so many of you…’
‘He was one of the greats. He went by so many names all-varying in length, from Pops to Jonathan. He was a college professor, beloved. If you had taken the short amount of time it took to get to know him there are a few things you would undoubtedly know. First and probably most important, he had a deep love for cheesecake. Second, he was a man of words. Third, he loved my mom, siblings, and I more than any banker could tally.’
‘They were married for 37 years before she passed away. Still when anyone would ask, “So, long marriage?” He would always respond, “Not long enough.” You know when people say they want to grow old together? Well, they did. It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. He handled life like it was easy. Always, even when it wasn’t.’
‘He was only a couple years older than my Mom, but he was always so wise, sophisticated. Even at a young age, my father taught me about how private routines set the stage for public perception. Every morning, I saw him get up, start the coffee pot for my mom, open up his Bible and begin to read. He was such a sweet guy, probably too sweet. He was very successful in his business. He made a lot of money, which is why; my family has all this stuff.
I have known my father my whole life, some of you, unfortunately, haven’t been afforded that opportunity. I wish all of you had happened to get the chance at really knowing my dad. Before he passed, I got the chance to know a great deal about him. You could always find him in the company of others. It didn’t matter who or what was being said, my father made sure to give people their time of day. You could come to him with anything; somehow, he always knew just what to say. Anytime I was thinking about quitting something or was afraid I was too far-gone to start over, he would look at me and say, “Go for it. Don’t be silly, life is too short.” Honestly, if it weren’t for him I wouldn’t be the man I am today. He didn’t care that much about changing the world, changing mine was enough for him. He was so loved by so many, it’s sad to see him go.’
‘Another thing and probably most important, my father loved the gospels and if you ever heard him talk about them you would know he believed in them whole-heartedly. He always said, “Mathew is for the righteous man, Mark the strong man, Luke for the thinker, and John for the broken.” He exemplified each of these in his own cunning way. He was a lover of the broken, strong for the weak, meek and merciful towards the sinner, he knew the word and did what it said. Though he is gone, we are comforted because of our assurance in knoing where he is going. The same place he and my mother helped to lead myself, and many of you.’
‘Take for instance you. Take for instance me. Take for instance the word instantly, and how it used to be used to define things like mashed potatoes or coffee. But now, somehow, they used it, to sum up, his life, telling me that he died, instantly. They said it as if there was a measure of comfort to be found in my fathers passing. There is because we all know where he is going. I know he will be happy to finally be reunited with Mom, and until I see him again, all of you should remember. Whatever you want, whatever it is, try. Because, as my dad always said, “Go for it. Don’t be silly, life is too short.”
