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The rain is back today, but so far without the wind. Spouse is at work; I'm enjoying a little solitude. There's laundry to be done (when isn't there laundry to be done?) and floors to sweep. Pillars of the Earth is calling my name; and I believe there's a can of Progresso New England Clam Chowder in the cupboard with my name on it.

I thought it a good idea to post my living will/funeral wishes in a public post so any member of my family can find it if necessary.

Dear spouse:

You already know this stuff, but I'm putting it down in writing so there's no ambiguity. This will serve until we get the legal papers written, signed and filed.

First, I do not want to stay on life support indefinitely. Don't give up on me right away, but if I'm comatose, and the doctors tell you I'll stay that way, please, let me go. No heroic measures. Please.

Remember I am an organ donor. If there's anything usable left by the time God takes me home, by all means, tell the doctors to harvest whatever they need. Burn the empty shell left behind.

Hold a memorial service in whatever church has my membership at the time. Tell the minister anything s/he wants to know. Talk about my foibles and faults and failures. Don't make me an angel; you of all people know I'm not. If people want to send flowers, let them. But you can also ask that they make donations to the local community theater instead. I leave it to you to decide who speaks when, and who sings what. Speaking of singing, I have a couple of hymn requests, favorites that are close to my heart: It Is Well With My Soul and O Come O Come Emmanuel. Yes, I know that last one is a Christmas hymn, but I love it dearly, and verses 4, 5, and 6 from the Methodist Hymnal could be applied to a memorial service. As far as readings, the story of the Prodigal Son has special meaning for me. Above all, remember the memorial is the Celebration of a Life. So, celebrate!

And then, spouse, you and whatever children we may have, plus any other family members you think should attend, choose a beautiful summer day and go to the place I love the best, Montana de Oro State Beach, in Los Osos, California. Have a picnic and a hike. Find the cliff with the prettiest view and scatter my ashes to the wind there.

And remember me.