First of all, let me state that I have neither a death wish nor a premonition, I have no idea how long or short my life will be, and that I hope I will have many fruitful years yet ahead of me in this life to accomplish my dreams and goals of establishing Pro-Life Ministry Fairs, remaining involved in music ministry and other Church ministries and community singing, songwriting, and writing, and hopefully having a legacy of music and writing that will continue to be used to glorify God, edify others, and be credited (at least in part) to me (yes, I guess I'm somewhat vain) as well as to the LORD Who inspires these works. I hope that some of my efforts to advance the Kingdom of heaven here on earth will be continued by others whom I hope I will have encouraged and inspired. I hope that it can be said that the world and the lives of many people are more like heaven because God placed me here on earth for the number of years He designated.
When I die I want to be remembered--remembered with love, remembered with joy, remembered with beauty and harmony and music and remembered with laughter. Of course, I will want your prayers, because I'm not sure whether my arrival in heaven will be a direct route or if I'll require some time in purgatory. But I am trusting and striving for a life completed on earth in right standing with God. I know that some grieving and mourning is natural, but I don't want anyone mistakenly believing that being sad and refraining from fun and laughter and celebration would honor me or my memory in any way. Quite the contrary. Departure of a life from this world and separation of the soul/spirit from the body is not the ending of life but the beginning of a new life for the one who departs and also a continuation of the love that has been shared here on earth. Real love never ends. Real love never dies. The people who touch our lives and whose lives we have touched remain part of us and we of them, and somehow they are never truly gone or far away--life is changed, not ended.
Allow your memories of me to bring you joy--not sadness. I hope always to be one who has brought joy and love, encouragement, honor, music, harmony and laughter into your life. Sing my songs. Laugh not only at my jokes but also at my quirks and foibles. Read and share my writing. Enjoy some of the pleasures I've enjoyed--especially those we've shared together. Keep my memory and legacy alive -- not in some shrine or in withdrawing from life but in celebration. Let whatever is good in me continue to help you and forgive what has been not so good. In that way I can continue to be present with you, even though we are physically apart, and have a positive impact on your life and hopefully even in the world if the good I have done continues through you.
Life, in spite of its pain, suffering, disappointments, trials and tribulations, is still a celebration, and the God Who gives us life gives us so much to enjoy! It has been written and promised by the LORD that what we have in this life cannot be compared to the joy He has in store for us in heaven where one day we can all be reunited and share in the celebration of the heavenly banquet forever. So please celebrate my life when we're physically apart until the time we can all celebrate together in the face-to-face Presence of our Triune God.
(c) Copyright 2017 by Arlene B. Muller (Arlene Clare Muller, OSF).
