I’m going to use the blog today to brainstorm some ideas I’ve been having.
I was so influenced by the story in last week’s blog — the teacher who left behind a request for filled backpacks to be donated in lieu of flowers, that I wonder if hosting a little workshop for people to do the same kind of thing would have any takers. It’s a small task, really, and it’s not even a task, it’s a total joy!
Who wouldn’t want to make a last request for something people can do in their honor? Especially if it’s just limited to (for practicality’s sake): Just bring ______ in my honor. For the woman from last week it was backpacks. It could be… just making these up as I type… art supplies for a children’s program in need; flowers for people in old folks’ homes (basically any goodies for nursing home residents is beyond appreciated), pamper packets for families of long-term hospital patients, treats for elderly shut-ins, new hats/gloves/scarves for underprivileged kids, cheerful decorations for clinics or similar places where there might be no budget for such niceties. And the thing is, you find something that calls you in particular. You start with Who do I want to help, to make a positive difference for?, and then decide what the gift is. It’s important that you love the idea, because that’s where the satisfaction and inspiration comes in.
And it’s not as overwhelming as designing your whole goodbye affair… which is what I’m a crusader for, but hey, we need to be realistic. That’sintimidating and overwhelming for many.
But this small, contained project is easy, fun, and eminently a potential godsend for the beneficiaries of whatever the idea is!
Next week, some other small step project to get you thinking about how to make your last wishes something that matter to you and leave behind a legacy.
I promise you… that is where the fun and joy is. That is where this whole thing transforms from dreaded duty to delight.