Making My Wishes Known

I coerced my husband to watch a Tagalog movie today. The story was about a girl who was widowed at a young age and about falling in love again. Given the topic, I told him that I was giving him my blessing to move on if I die ahead of him. I would expect him to spend the appropriate amount of time mourning my passing but, I would want him to be happy. Not as happy as when he was with me, but happy nonetheless :-) My one condition is that our son, Jason, would always come first. I then turned around and asked him if he felt the same way and at first received a definite "No". He considered it some more, and then said "I would have no control over what you choose to do". He is one of those who thinks talking about death is a little morbid.

I am more pragmatic. After all, the only sure things in life are death and taxes. I could not help thinking about it after seeing all the coverage on Cory Aquino's death. My father died almost three years ago and my mother made sure that everything was taken care of. She is that way, always looking out for her children, worrying about us and trying to take care of things even before they happen. I hope and pray always for her good health, that she lives long enough to see Jason married at a ripe old age.

Most people do not like to think about the end and do not make preparations for it. However, as my older sister told my mother, "For all you know, I might get hit by a bus tomorrow and go ahead." We all like to think that we have enough time and put off writing that will or making funeral arrangements. I think it is because we are afraid that if we plan it, it will come sooner.

I just celebrated my birthday and I am not getting any younger. The average life expectancy is about 80 years. That means I have passed the halfway mark if I am lucky enough to live that long. I am writing this down so there are no questions.
* I wish to be cremated but the full course of the Order of Christian Funerals should still be celebrated.
* The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body be present during Vigil and Funeral Mass, and that if cremation is to be used, it take place following the Rite of Final Commendation. The cremated human remains would then be interred during the Rite of Committal. However, since I wish to be laid to rest back home, please ask the diocesan bishop to permit my shipped, cremated remains to be present for the Funeral Liturgy.
* Since Church teaching insists that cremated remains must be given the same respect as the body, including the manner in which they are carried and the attention given to their appropriate transport and placement, my cremated remains are to be buried or entombed. I had originally wanted to be scattered over the sea or kept in a nice urn in the living room but these are not considered reverent dispositions. I cannot also be split between my husband and son.

Enough said on this topic, I can rest easy knowing that the above are in set in electronic ink. Here's to a full life ahead and enjoying the rest of my life.