I just saw a facenutz post from someone wishing their dead relation a happy birthday. I can't say this is the first time I've seen this, and every time I've had to stop myself from saying something potentially offensive about it.
I suppose if it helps the (living) person feel better, no harm, no foul. But it just seems really odd to me.
Likewise, the "in loving memory of <whoever>" thing on the back window of someone's car. I realize that they feel the need to memorialize a loved one, but is that really the best place they could think of?
The same goes for those little makeshift memorials on the side of the road. Is there some magical quality about that particular spot that requires a memorial? Like it's the location where the soul left the body? I don't want to belittle the grief of people...but I just don't get it.
All that said, I will admit to drinking an adult beverage in honor of a person, usually on their birthday. But it's always in the context of a toast, and I don't specifically wish the person a "happy birthday." The wife likes to also do this on death days, as well, which strikes me as kind of macabre. And as we age, we unfortunately find ourselves doing more and more of these toasts.
Anyway...I'm just kind of confused about the whole thing. Thanks for reading.
I suppose if it helps the (living) person feel better, no harm, no foul. But it just seems really odd to me.
Likewise, the "in loving memory of <whoever>" thing on the back window of someone's car. I realize that they feel the need to memorialize a loved one, but is that really the best place they could think of?
The same goes for those little makeshift memorials on the side of the road. Is there some magical quality about that particular spot that requires a memorial? Like it's the location where the soul left the body? I don't want to belittle the grief of people...but I just don't get it.
All that said, I will admit to drinking an adult beverage in honor of a person, usually on their birthday. But it's always in the context of a toast, and I don't specifically wish the person a "happy birthday." The wife likes to also do this on death days, as well, which strikes me as kind of macabre. And as we age, we unfortunately find ourselves doing more and more of these toasts.
Anyway...I'm just kind of confused about the whole thing. Thanks for reading.
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