A week ago yesterday, my Mama and Papa came over to meet my daughter, Ellie, for the first time. She is their 6th great-grandchild. They made the 3 hour trip and we enjoyed visiting together while they each got their time with her. It was a nice afternoon and we got pictures of the "first meeting" with the great-grandparents.
If we had known then what we know now we may have done things differently that day. On Monday my Dad told me that my Papa had died suddenly. It was quite a shock to all. He was actually out golfing, which is something he loved to do. He was a wonderful man who enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest, even up to the moment of his death.
I was reminded of a quote from "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium".
Mr. Edward Magorium: [to Molly, about dying] When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written "He dies." That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is "He dies." It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with "He dies." And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words "He dies." but because of the life we saw prior to the words. [pause, walks over to Molly] Mr. Edward Magorium: I've lived all five of my acts, Mahoney, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I'm only asking that you turn the page, continue reading... and let the next story begin. And if anyone asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest "He died." Molly Mahoney: [starting to sob] I love you. Mr. Edward Magorium: I love you, too. [picks Molly up, sighs heavily] Mr. Edward Magorium: Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.
Papa's life was an inspiration and he touched countless lives, as was evidenced by his memorial service today. He will be greatly missed here on earth, but his legacy and life will not be forgotten. I hope that I rise to the occasion of my life. It would be wonderful if even half of the remarks made today about my Papa, Ray Boyd Cluxton, could one day be said of me.
