Celebrating each other through our living eulogies

We rarely see ourselves in quite the same as the way other people see us.

Then we die. Sorry for the shock, but you do know this is inevitable.

Folks gather in sombre tones to comfort one another, to share their thoughts and anecdotes, filled with real wisdom and insights, all without the physical presence of the very person who might like to hear these sentiments and musings.

More than that, our same centre of attention is also not able to advocate or champion their own perspective on a life lived.

This is why I have set some homework for my living family members, as we come together from all parts of the world in this upcoming holiday season.

Each has been asked to prepare the following:

1. Describe your life in less than 300 words
2. What moment or characteristic are you most proud of?
3. What three words best describe you as a person, from your perspective?
4. What is your favourite memory or story about your life?
5. What is one lesson have you learned (by any means) that you would like future generations to know?
6. Recall a funny story about your life
7. What is your favourite quote or saying? Why?
8. What is your favourite piece of music? Why?
9. Please collect five of your favourite photos of yourself, from any period in life.
10. ???

I also want each family member, whether young or old, to share their reflections on each other family member — as if we were at their funeral.

My hope is that we will enjoy an intimate celebration of lives lived, rather than realise time has run its course and words were left unsaid. I expect strong emotion of all kinds, yet a new appreciation for who we each are and how we each impact on other people’s lives.

What are your suggestions or improvements to this set of questions? Have any of you tried to do something like this before?