SWEET SMELL OF THE JUST The garlands wither on your brow, Then boast no more your mighty deeds; Upon Death’s purple altar now, See where the victor-victim bleeds; Your heads must come, To the cold tomb; Only the actions of the just smell sweet, and blossom in their dust. James Shirley, “The Contention of Ajax …
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FORGIVEN Not far from New York City there is a cemetery where there is a grave which has inscribed upon its headstone just one word – “Forgiven.” There is no name, no date of birth or death. The stone is undecorated by the sculptor’s art. There is no epitaph, no eulogy – just one word …
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HOW TO BE REMEMBERED Asked how he would like to be remembered, Jackie Gleason once said, “. . . I’d just like to be remembered.” Brad Darrach in People Weekly
MY OWN EPITAPH He was an average guy who could carry a tune. – BING CROSBY Excuse my dust. – DOROTHY PARKER On the whole, I’d rather be in Philadelphia. – W.C. FIELDS I’ll be right back. – JOHNNY CARSON I died laughing. – PHYLLIS DILLER He finally met a deadline. LARRY KING It’s always …
Earl Wheatley of Meridian Mississippi shares a funeral observance that has proved quite effective. Before the funeral he tells the funeral director that he needs three flowers: a red one, a white one and a yellow one. These three flowers are removed from the flower arrangements on the way to the graveside. He holds all …