A Life Story
The New York Times is reporting that E-book sales have been flat or in decline for most of 2013. They’re actually down 3 percent from August of 2012. Could it be that hard cover books and independent book stores might be making a dramatic comeback during the final breathless shopping days until Christmas? I hope so. But if you’re looking for a fascinating read for the price of a newspaper, try reading one-and-done biographies with no chance of a sequel: the daily obituaries.
Admit it. You read obituaries, too. I’ve been hooked on them for years but more so lately.
Maybe it’s because I know so many people I read about. Not all of them personally, of course, but you start seeing whole generations passing away, their entire life stories compressed into mere paragraphs.
The late Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, recommended that we take stock of our lives by imagining our own funerals (isn’t this a fun holiday blog?).
According to him, it’s all about “deposits” and “withdrawals.” The more you put into life, the more you get out of it.
And consequently, more people will show up at your funeral saying nice things about you (beloved…cherished…scratch golfer…).
Some people’s life circumstances, talents, and choices change the course of history. For better or worse.
While others live quiet lives that will never merit a headline, maybe not even a posting.
But everyone, in the end, leaves behind the story of their life (just remember, no edits allowed at “press time”).
Years ago I cut out and saved the ultimate obituary.
The deceased was Giorgio Carbone, 73, a flower merchant turned prince-for-life from Seborga, a medieval town near the Italian Riviera (his 300 followers declared it a sovereign state).
But here’s the best part: he was known to his subjects as “His Tremendousness.”
Obviously he made more than a few “deposits” in his lifetime.
The trappings of his principality included a constitution, a national anthem, and an official motto: Sub umbra sede (“Sit in the shade”).
It would be hard to top that one.
And here’s an intriguing one. One that got me thinking about how any one event/decision/action/relationship in our own lives can affect the lives of so many others (Think It’s a Wonderful Life).
Joseph P. “Reds” McAfee, 91 died of a heart attack on December 4th.
You’ve probably never heard of him (I hadn’t) but he played in one of the most famous upsets in college football history.
His big moment came when he was a freshman playing for underdog Holy Cross College against the Number One ranked college football team, Boston College.
On November 28, 1942, Mr. McAfee set the stage for a stunning upset with his 55-yard punt return. Psyched, Holy Cross went on to defeat Boston 55-12.
But here’s the thing. His stellar play, and that of his teammates, left the Boston College players and their fans in total shock. They weren’t prepared to lose.
And they didn’t feel much like partying either.
So they cancelled a planned victory celebration that night at the Cocoanut Grove, Boston’s premier nightclub at the time during the post-Prohibition 1930s and 40s.
That evening the former speakeasy burned to the ground. The fire claimed 492 lives.
Saving lives became part of McAfee’s life story.
Side note: My friend’s twin boys used to call me “Wonder Woman.” I have no idea why but it occurs to me now that I need to find a way to weave that descriptor into my life story.
Quod me fugere (“Watch me fly”).
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. I’ll start thinking again in the New Year…