Long time actor and Homeland star, James Rebhorn died this past Friday after a long battle with skin cancer. It seems that before he died, James wrote his own obituary.
James’ church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Jersey City, has since shared his letter entitled, “His Life, According to Jim.” The obituary is sad — as it should be, but there is feeling, and perspective in the words written which most obituaries lack. It got me thinking about our own last words and death announcements, why are such things left up to complete strangers to write? And why the need to neatly sum up our lives in a couple of stale paragraphs? Doesn’t that seem strange?!
This part was touching:
“His children made him immensely proud. Their dedication to improving our species and making the world a better place gave him hope for the future. They deal with grief differently, and they should each manage it as they see fit. He hopes, however, that they will grieve his passing only as long as necessary. They have much good work to do, and they should get busy doing it. Time is flying by.”
You can read James’ letter here.
S.
