On Death
Things I will never forget about the passing of family members:
At my mothers wake, a relative we had not seen in years asked where her “kisses” were from her grown nieces and nephews. My Polish Grandmother, never known for mincing words, said if she wanted a kiss she could come over and kiss her ass. Gram was great.
My older sister and I standing in the parking lot during my Father’s wake eating Korean Pancakes with Wild Vegetables that a coworker had brought with him, while reminiscing about growing up with Dad.
When my grandmother passed away, my two aunts were deciding on which jewelry my grandmother should have on during the viewing. Picking up a pair of dangly earrings, one said to the other, “How do these look?” while holding them to her ears and tilting her head back, as if prone.
Disrespectful? Not to the guest of honor. I am sure that they all would have approved of what went on. They had all moved on to whatever waits. What happens after your demise is of little consequence to you.
Which makes me wonder why after some local celebrity dies, why do people fall head over heels trying to outdo each other with eulogies and commemorations?
Jimmy Griffin was the subject of ridicule during the recent County Executive primaries. Less than one year later people are singing his praises and trying to name a ballpark after him.
Tim Russert. Local boy that made it to the big time. Seemed like a nice enough guy, bragged about his hometown, had a show that didn’t do much for me personally. There will be a stretch of road named after him. There is a petition to name an airport after him, similar to what was done for Presidents. There has been talk about putting him on the Wall of Fame in Ralph Wilson Stadium because he was a great fan.
Is this overkill? Are we doing this just to make ourselves feel better, to grab a piece of his fame for the city, ourselves?
Sometimes I think these actions are less respectful than frivolities at a wake. Too much adulation can weaken its intended purpose.
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Thank you for saying it Paul. Outside of saying “Go Bills” & “Go Sabres” nationally or writing a couple a books including growing up in Buffalo, I honestly can’t count on one had anything of substanial interest that Tim Russert has done for Buffalo or WNY. His knowledge in the journalism field is one of inspiration,
I went to Jimmy Griffin’s wake, and my good friend asked me afterwards if I made sure signing the book wasn’t an election petition.
Jimmy’s always been a good friend, and he’s missed.
June 24th, 2008 at 2:10 am
I realize that Russert spent his adult life in Washington DC, but I found it curious that no memorial was scheduled by the family in Buffalo. Also, when Canisus had their reunion/memorial which Big Russ was able to attend with his daughter, wife and son weren’t present.
Then again, maybe they covered that in the tons of articles that surrounded Russert. I quit reading them after the first day. I have long refused to watch news on television that gets way caught up in their coverage of a major event and forgets that something else might have happened in the area.
June 27th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
“every hero becomes a bore at last.” - emerson