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Liner Notes 6-10
6. Be on time. You knew I was going to say that, didn't you?
7. Fix it and forget it. Sure, take time to look nice. Do your hair, fix your makeup. Feel confident about how you look. And then here's the key: forget about it. Focus on other things than how you look from there on out.
8. Wear a robe as needed (via your honorary aunt Christie's hard-earned wisdom).
9. The left lane of the freeway is for passing. Or at least for going fairly lickety split, not moseying or going the same speed as the car next to you.
10. Always go to the funeral. Here's why.
. . .
With the first of my children leaving home in the next few months, I'm writing occasional Liner Notes, bits of advice to my kids concerning my take on how to be a gracious, awesome grown-up-type person (both trivial bits and major advice). Why "liner notes"? Because, back in the day, I pored over the liner notes of my cds, curious to find the story behind the music. That's what I hope this will be: the story behind the music of growing up and setting off on your own. (Or at least a ready-made catalog of how you can avoid making my mistakes.)
. . .
photo via sapling press
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Reader Comments (4)
Good advice, as always. Today is the funeral for the bishop of my youth. I loved him. My dad was his 1st counselor and he lived three doors down from us. We were at his house all the time. He always had jelly beans in his pockets. Last time I saw him was my brother's wedding 7 years ago. He reached in his pocket and pulled out some jelly bellies for me. I wish so much I could go to the funeral. It's killing me. I even dreamt about it last night. I'm missing it by three days. We leave for our epic westward migration on Saturday. Bad timing.
My pet peeve is people who are never on time and think it's no big deal. It is a big deal!
My neighbor's husband died in a plane crash last night leaving behind 3 small boys. I've been thinking about his funeral all day, and how my neighborhood with all of its flaws is so good at providing support and more food than needed for funerals (we've had a few babies die as well).
My grandfather died on the 4th of July and was cremated afterwards without ceremony. And there is no closure or celebration of him. I keep thinking that I'll see him this summer, or I wonder how he is...and then I remember. So when we are there this summer, my brother and sister and father and I will have our own memorial, because he was excellent and truly my benefactor.
Yes. WEAR A ROBE. And make sure your shirt is pulled down appropriately before answering the door. :-)
I agree and love these letters so much. This is such a cool idea. Please publish it and send her off to school with a copy of her very own. (And maybe one for me, too). Clearly, there is advice here for any stage.
on (7), I sometimes skip part one, and just forget it. I once came home from a long day at church and looked in the mirror and my hair was disgraceful. Nobody had said a word (do they not expect much from me?), and I hadn't seen my reflection all day. I was embarrassed, even though nobody really gave me cause.
on (10), perhaps we should add, "and don't be afraid to speak up when they invite personal comments after the eulogy." I had a high school teacher die of heart attack right after school let out, and I went to his funeral. He was an inspiring teacher that I had categorized with a "Dead Poet Society" flair for his classrooms. At the tail end of the service, the program included an opportunity for family/friends/students to participate... and I had things to say that went unsaid. I was too shy to give a student's perspective. I can never go back.