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An obituary that goes around the world
Emily Phillips knew she was going to die soon. The woman decided to write her obituary herself. Now he was released.
Everybody knows that his life will end someday. But only a few want and can actively deal with this topic. Death always seems far away. It's the same with Emily Phillips. She does not want to believe that she will die. But she must and faces her destiny. The woman suffering from cancer writes her own obituary herself.
Now the touching lines have been published in the Florida Times-Union. The 68-year-old died of cancer at the end of March. The day of diagnosis was only 29 days back. The obituary is humorous and sad at the same time written, so that even foreign readers do not know if they should cry or smile:
Woman's moving obit for herself http://t.co/lMNz37NnWl pic.twitter.com/eJ2paQrhKv 'I was born, I blinked and it was over'
- TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 2, 2015
"It hurts to admit that, but apparently I've died, everyone told me it was going to happen someday, but that was just something that did not want to hear, too little experience for it, and again, things are not come as I imagined, that's the story of my life, all my life.
And while we're on the subject (the story of my life) ... on February 9, 1946, my parents and older sister celebrated my birth and I was introduced to everyone as Emily Debrayda Fisher, the daughter of Clyde and Mary Fisher of Hazelwood. I can not believe that happened in the first half of the last century, but there are files in the court that can affirm this claim. Just two years later, when another girl was born, I became the middle sister of the infamous Three Fisher girls and the world changed forever.
As a kid I went to the old Hazelwood elementary school, where teachers like Mrs. McCracken, Mrs. Davis, and Mrs. Moody planted the seed in me, which eventually got me to become a teacher. I started my career as a teacher proud of the same school in January 1966, and from then on, I began to teach young children in the neighboring states of Virginia, Georgia, and Florida, where I retired after 25 years.
So many things in my life seemed so insignificant at the time they happened, but they got more and more important the older I got. The memories that I take with me now are so precious and more valuable than all the gold and silver in my jewelry box.
Memories ... where do I start? Well, I remember mother wearing an apron; I remember Dad calling us to Square Dance; I remember my older sister pushing me off the tricycle (in the Cinders driveway); I remember my little sister walking sleepwalking out of the house; I remember Grandmother Nonnie sewing fine clothes for me when I was little; I remember how Grandmother Mamateate turned chicken thighs so we had a Sunday dinner. I remember, as I was the bride, performing at our Tom Thub wedding and skits for the 4-H club in fourth grade. I remember picking up small rose buds in spring morning, still wet from dew and to school, and I remember the smell of freshly mown grass. I remember the excitement as I led our school band down King Street on the Mardi Gras in New Orleans (I was a drum majorette). I remember making Waynesville in Miss North Carolina's election and yes, I whirled my baton around to the sounds of 'Dixie'. How could it have been different.
I married the man of my dreams (tall, dark, handsome) on December 16, 1967, and from that day on I was proud, Mrs. Charlie Philips, the great diva of the whole household. Our plan was to have two children, a girl and a boy. Inexplicably, we were successful because we were blessed with our daughter Bonnie and later our son Scott. Seeing them grow into the people they should be brought wonderful meaning to our lives.
This could be a good time to iron out inconsistencies.
I apologize for forcing sweet Bonnie to wear No Frills jeans and to put on Scott's red shirts in kindergarten. Apparently both were humiliating to them, but both were able to outgrow their shame and become successful adults. I want to apologize to Mary Ann for tearing her paper dolls and to Betsy for feeding a guy she was in love with.
Just when I thought I was too old to fall in love again, I became a grandmother and my five grandsons not only stole my heart, but also spent most of my money.
Sydney Elizabeth, Jacob McKay and Emma Grace (all Uprights) have enriched my life more than words could ever express. Sydney's "one more, another" when she begged for biscuits; As Jake used to say, "sick like a cat, " when I said someone was sick like a dog; and how Emma cut off her beautiful long hair and then shaved off one of her eyebrows ... Yes, those are some of my favorite things. They are irreplaceable treasures and will accompany me wherever my journey takes me.
I always insisted that my greatest treasures called me Nana. That is not completly correct. You see, my youngest grandson angels William Fisher Philips and Charlie Jackson Phillips call me "Nana Banana." (Thanks Chris and Scott for having such brave kids.) They are also very good at insisting that I get their hands on them every time I visit and being quite talented in the field I have always been able to do them this favor. (I even hold the world record for "getting my hands on" and I'm proud to wear that title.)
Speaking of title ... I owned a few in my time. I was a devoted daughter, a high-energy teenager, a graduate of the WCU (summa cum laude), a loving wife, a comforting mother, a dedicated teacher, a true and loyal friend, and a spoiling grandmother. And if you do not believe that, just ask me. Oh, wait, I'm afraid it's too late for questions. I'm sorry.
So..I was born so; blinked and it was over. No buildings named after me; no monuments built in my honor. But I had the chance to know and love every one of my friends as well as all my family members. How much more can a person be blessed?
In the end remember .. do your best, pursue your goal and make something great out of your life. Oh, and never stop smiling.
If you want, you can look for me in the evening sunset or at the first daffodils in spring or between the fluttering and floating butterflies. You know, I will be there in some form. Of course, this will calm some while it will annoy others, but you know ... that's me.
And with that I leave you ... please do not cry because I left; be happy that I was there. (Or maybe cry a bit, after all, I'm dead). Today I am happy and dance. Probably naked.
I will always love you. Emily"
With her obituary, she manages to bring people to tears that she never knew. In the funny, wise and sad lines one recognizes the personality of this strong woman and suddenly it seems as if she is a familiar. In this way, Emily Phillips spends the supposedly impossible: people begin to like her after death.
