A Fly on the Wall
Viewing comments for Chapter 14 "On Celebrating Life"A journal musings and assessments about situations
34 total reviews
Comment from Tedd Turton
Beautiful writing Rachelle. A real story with a message for all of us. I love the last paragraph too. The gift of music...even posthumously.
Thanks for adding joy to my day.
As always, the Very Best, Tedd Turton
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Beautiful writing Rachelle. A real story with a message for all of us. I love the last paragraph too. The gift of music...even posthumously.
Thanks for adding joy to my day.
As always, the Very Best, Tedd Turton
Comment Written 06-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Thank you, Tedd. I feel happy every time I remember that day. It took something that could have been sad and made it joyous. Thank you for so totally 'getting' that. I love your review. xo
Comment from Joy Graham
Oh my, how sad. I believe in celebrating the good times so this post resonates with me. We recently lost my son's best friend from high school. He was 34 with a wife and three you g children. He just dropped of a heart attack. I have to ask why, and it will take a long time to come to terms with it. If that's ever possible. We simply learn to carry on and keep their goodness in our hearts.
I wish I could have been there for the sing song. I bet your voice is beautiful and you lifted all the mourners with your strength and leadership.
Sorry for your loss, but I know you honored your friend with golden wings by the love that burst out of that room.
Joy xx
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2019
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Oh my, how sad. I believe in celebrating the good times so this post resonates with me. We recently lost my son's best friend from high school. He was 34 with a wife and three you g children. He just dropped of a heart attack. I have to ask why, and it will take a long time to come to terms with it. If that's ever possible. We simply learn to carry on and keep their goodness in our hearts.
I wish I could have been there for the sing song. I bet your voice is beautiful and you lifted all the mourners with your strength and leadership.
Sorry for your loss, but I know you honored your friend with golden wings by the love that burst out of that room.
Joy xx
Comment Written 04-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2019
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You totally get it, Joy. It was SUCH a perfect time, and I now look back on that farewell with a warm and happy feeling.
I am SO sorry to read about your son's best friend. I can only imagine that grief you must be feeling. Oy. I'm sending you a warm hug, mom to mom.
Thank you for this lovely review, Joy. I appreciate it very much. xo
Comment from Earl Corp
My wife wants a celebration of life too. The more I hear it the more I do too. I like the idea of a soundtrack to it with special reasons for each song. I've told my wife some of the songs I'd like played at mine. My dad had Johnny Cash's Daddy Sang Bass at his. One i know for sure i'd like played at mine is Bob Seger's Like a Rock for one. Andrew Gold's song is Thank You For Being ( A) Friend. Very nice job.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2019
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My wife wants a celebration of life too. The more I hear it the more I do too. I like the idea of a soundtrack to it with special reasons for each song. I've told my wife some of the songs I'd like played at mine. My dad had Johnny Cash's Daddy Sang Bass at his. One i know for sure i'd like played at mine is Bob Seger's Like a Rock for one. Andrew Gold's song is Thank You For Being ( A) Friend. Very nice job.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2019
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That sounds so awesome, Earl!
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You described this event perfectly, Rachelle. I felt as if I had attended to see/hear it. The song choices/reasons allude to Gail's great outlook on life. I believe she saw/heard and was thrilled with the celebration. Thanks for sharing an uplifting response in the face of sadness. Jan
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2019
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You described this event perfectly, Rachelle. I felt as if I had attended to see/hear it. The song choices/reasons allude to Gail's great outlook on life. I believe she saw/heard and was thrilled with the celebration. Thanks for sharing an uplifting response in the face of sadness. Jan
Comment Written 03-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2019
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It did absolutely feel as if she were there with us, and it was a lovely, comforting feeling. Not sad, just beautiful. Thank you for this wonderful review, Jan. xo
Comment from Mrs. KT
Good Morning, Rachelle,
Your offering truly resonated with me. I love the idea of a "Celebration of Life" - a real celebration when one passes away. Yes, there is tremendous sadness when a loved one dies, but I, too, would rather remember and celebrate the joyful moments and memories.
Your writing flows so well - drawing the reading into participating in the one area that so many individuals have a difficult time expressing.
Thank you for sharing!
diane
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2019
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Good Morning, Rachelle,
Your offering truly resonated with me. I love the idea of a "Celebration of Life" - a real celebration when one passes away. Yes, there is tremendous sadness when a loved one dies, but I, too, would rather remember and celebrate the joyful moments and memories.
Your writing flows so well - drawing the reading into participating in the one area that so many individuals have a difficult time expressing.
Thank you for sharing!
diane
Comment Written 03-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2019
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What a really nice review this is, Diane. Thank you for all these encouraging, helping words. I always respect and appreciate what you write to me. xo
Comment from Teri7
This was very interesting way to look at death by having a celebration of life. That is a really good way of looking at it. You used very good descriptive words and by singing songs. I enjoyed reading this very much. Blessings, Teri
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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This was very interesting way to look at death by having a celebration of life. That is a really good way of looking at it. You used very good descriptive words and by singing songs. I enjoyed reading this very much. Blessings, Teri
Comment Written 02-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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Thank you, Teri; I'm glad you reviewed this. xo
Comment from Cindy Warren
I'm so sorry you lost Gail. She sounds like a wonderful person who wouldn't want you to be sad. You gave her the sendoff she wanted, followed by this lovely tribute.
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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I'm so sorry you lost Gail. She sounds like a wonderful person who wouldn't want you to be sad. You gave her the sendoff she wanted, followed by this lovely tribute.
Comment Written 02-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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You are exactly right, Cindy; she would NEVER have wanted her friends to be sad.
This was an excellent review. I really appreciate it. xo
Comment from Debra White
Hi Rachelle :)
I love this piece.
What a beautiful selection of songs you all enjoyed at Gail's celebration of life ceremony.
I definitely believe that celebrating life is the best way to say goodbye to the ones we love when they leave this world. Yes we are sad, yes we will miss them terribly, BUT they didn't make us unhappy, they blessed us with their presence, love, warmth, talent etc. So lets celebrate that...
Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes to you as always, Debra :) x
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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Hi Rachelle :)
I love this piece.
What a beautiful selection of songs you all enjoyed at Gail's celebration of life ceremony.
I definitely believe that celebrating life is the best way to say goodbye to the ones we love when they leave this world. Yes we are sad, yes we will miss them terribly, BUT they didn't make us unhappy, they blessed us with their presence, love, warmth, talent etc. So lets celebrate that...
Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes to you as always, Debra :) x
Comment Written 02-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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EXACTLY!! I look back on that and have just the happiest feelings. That's definitely the way it should be. xo
Comment from Y. M. Roger
As it should be....a farewell should be a celebration of the life lived and what is waiting beyond.....I'm from New Orleans and a jazz funeral is definitely the way to go: shed some tears to say goodbye, but, once my body's in the ground go sing and celebrate have a great time like I love to do: sunshine and music should be the order of the day!! ;) Thanx for sharing!! ;)
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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As it should be....a farewell should be a celebration of the life lived and what is waiting beyond.....I'm from New Orleans and a jazz funeral is definitely the way to go: shed some tears to say goodbye, but, once my body's in the ground go sing and celebrate have a great time like I love to do: sunshine and music should be the order of the day!! ;) Thanx for sharing!! ;)
Comment Written 02-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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And thank YOU for the validating review. Why am I not surprised that you already knew this important lesson. xo
Comment from Jeffrey L. Michaux
This is how a person that's greatly loved and missed should be celebrated I think. I know that sadness will creep in. How could it not? The main theme of this whole gathering appears to have been kept in tact. Celebrating her life and everything that was good and special about her. Keeping her memory alive. Thanks for sharing this well written celebration of life. Well done!
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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This is how a person that's greatly loved and missed should be celebrated I think. I know that sadness will creep in. How could it not? The main theme of this whole gathering appears to have been kept in tact. Celebrating her life and everything that was good and special about her. Keeping her memory alive. Thanks for sharing this well written celebration of life. Well done!
Comment Written 02-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 02-Jul-2019
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She was SO very loved, and she is definitely missed, but it's so nice that our final memory of her was such a joyous one. It's made ALL the difference.
Thank you for this very sweet and understanding review. xo