To celebrate death in good timing
Tonight was a very interesting night. Two days ago my aunt calls me and asks me if I could play a few songs in a, get this, funeral reception of her husband’s (Eddie) father who just passed away. I was completely put off by the idea of singing in a funeral but I couldn’t say no so I agreed. When I get to the house, the front of the house is jam packed with cars and people inside are laughing, drinking and telling stories. A stranger would not guess in million years this has anything to do with someone’s passing. So I walk in with guitar in hand and songbook in another. I set my stuff and start playing pretty much right away. At first I felt so awkward and didn’t even know what songs to play. Should I play sad songs, would it be offensive if I play happy ones, should I sing with cojones or should I hold back, etc etc etc…. but I do what I always do when I play. I close my eyes and the exterior world suddenly disappears. Before I knew it everyone’s dancing and singing along and constantly cheering “Viva Mundo!”, Eddie’s father. And that’s when it hit me. It was pretty damn brilliant the way this funeral took place. Think about it, when death takes place after a full life, why should it be a sad thing? If anything, it’s a blessing. Nobody is expected to obtain perpetuity, we’re all heading the same exact way and when we arrive there after a full life, it is I think an individual’s biggest achievement. An achievement that, like every other, deserves a celebration.
