"Writing Your Own Obituary . . . How's It Coming?"

(1833-1896)
Writing Your Own Obituary . . . How’s it coming?

One of the first things that my husband and I do when we pick up the newspaper is to glance at the bottom of the first page and quickly read through the listing of Obituaries. No, we’re not morbid people, but we like to say that if we ever see our own name listed, we’re heading back to bed for the day!

Most obituaries list the usual biographical information which includes birth dates, survivors, maybe church affiliation, and career field, which would include places of employment.

What the obituary does not usually list is the character, attitudes, habits, and failures of the deceased. That information is left to be published in the lives of the surviving family members. That legacy of the deceased will either leave lives better and more equipped for the future, or they will leave a path of pain, hurt, and destruction.

I recently read the story of Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) who got a second chance to re-write his obituary. At the internet site (http://www.meaning.ca/meaningful_living/worthy_lives/alfred_nobel.html)
I found the following story:

“In 1866 Nobel invented dynamite and built up companies and laboratories in more than 20 countries all over the world. Not only did he hold more than 350 patents, he also wrote poetry and drama and seriously considered becoming a writer.

When Nobel’s brother died, the newspaper made a mistake and ran an obituary for Alfred Nobel. In the obituary they stated that he was known for creating the most destructive force known to mankind, dynamite. When Nobel read the obituary, he decided that he didn’t want his family name remembered for destruction.

While science had built the foundation for Nobel’s own activities as a technological researcher and inventor, efforts to promote peace had always been close to his heart. As a result he began thinking about giving away his fortune as a means to recognize those that have made significant contributions in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace.

On November 27, 1895, Nobel signed his final will and testament at the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris. When Nobel died on December 10, 1896, it was discovered that according to his will, his vast wealth was to be used for five prizes, including one for peace. The prize for peace was to be awarded to the person who “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding of peace congresses.” The prize was to be awarded “by a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting.

In 1900 a private institution was established based on the will of Nobel. The Nobel Foundation manages the assets made available through the will for the awarding of the Nobel Prize in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace.”

Most people, when they hear the name “Nobel”, automatically think of his Peace Prize and not dynamite and the power of its destruction. Nobel, after reading “his” obituary, (in reality his brother’s) decided that he would not be remembered for dynamite and its destructive power but for peace and noteworthy achievements of people. He was successful in changing his obituary.

We all have the control and power of writing an obituary that will be left in the local paper and read over our bodies when at a funeral home, our friends and family bid us farewell. More important than that obituary, we (as we live our lives and make our choices) are writing the obituary that is affecting our families and friends right now as well as generations to come. It’s all our choice!

May God Bless your Writing!!!