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| Abigail Van Buren (Public Domain) |
If you're feeling like Eleanor Rigby at times (or are a member of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band), then reading obituaries might actually be a source of comfort.
When Abigail Van Buren (aka "Dear Abby") was once asked whether looking forward to seeing known names in the obituary column was weird, she answered that it was.
This response elicited numerous comments from readers who begged to differ. "BEEN THERE TOO" from Rhode Island pointed out that while reading obits, lonely folks can feel a "sense of closeness" to those who have passed on. "JULIE IN WISCONSIN" agrees that "seeing a familiar name may bring back memories of better times..."
"SANDY IN PENNSYLVANIA" praises the historical value of these mini-biographies. She explains that obituaries are not only "scrapbooked and prized," but are also "researched for generations by genealogists, historians and relatives looking to complete their family tree."
Obituaries serve as a vivid reminder that life is both fleeting and precious. They may evoke a sense of compassion for the deceased, which can be expressed by passing forward acts of kindness.
Obits can also inspire those still living to get out there and grow their own biographies while there's still time...
Resources
http://news.yahoo.com/reading-obituaries-may-comfort-lonely-heart-050016729.html
Copyright March 8, 2014 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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