Her obituary for her father quickly became known as “the best obit ever.”
Video Transcript
” These are the home movies taken by a loving father from mississippi. Two daughters, this is his oldest, amanda. Through the years, he would document their childhood, their birthdays, and he would push them to great heights.
My dad was crazy. Irreverent. A character.
But he was there. And — every kid should have a dad who is there. Reporter: And so last week, when she learned from her mother that her dad harry likely just had a few days left, she drove from texas, back home to mississippi, filling this notebook with memories that would become his obituary.
And she read it to us. Harry weathersby stamps, ladies man, foodie, accomplished traveler, died on saturday, MARCH 9th, 2013. Harry was locally sourcing his food years before chefs in california started using cilantro and arugula, both of which he hated.
For his signature bacon and tomato sandwich, he procured 100% all white bunny bread from georgia, and tennessee’s bacon from his bacon of the month subscription. The women in his life were numerous. He particularly fancied smart women.
He loved his mom, wilma. He married his main squeeze, ann, with whom they had two girls. He taught them to fish, to select a quality hammer.
He took great pride in stocking their time bool boxes. One of his regrets was not seeing his girl, hillary clin win president. His signature every day look was all his.
A plain pocketed t-shirt, designed by the fashion house fruit of the loom. Harry traveled extensively. He only stayed in the finest quality aaa-rated campgrounds.
Many years later, he purchased a used popup camper for his family to travel in style. Which spoiled his daughters for life. Reporter: And she also took note of the day on which he died.
He particularly hated daylight savings time, which he referred to as the devil’s time. It’s not lost on his family that he died the very day that he would have had to spring his clock forward. Harry wanted everyone to get back on the lord’s time.
Reporter: Feel like I’ve met harry. She showed me the tool box he so proudly helped her stock as a girl. So, if you don’t note how to select a quality hammer, I will show you.
Reporter: Teaching us a lesson, too. Turn it upside make sure it balances. Reporter: Harry’s smiling.
Yeah. He would be really proud of that. Reporter: And while some call it the best obit ever, for him, he was just — best dad I could have ever hoped for.
[via: ABCnews.com]
I had an opportunity to have some thoughts recently about mortality. Never thinking that I was going to die during this particular event, nonetheless, causing pause to think. Below is the post and thoughts:
From many places, prophetic messages are delivered. Sort of like yesterday…while visiting a well stocked walk-in humidor: “You do not determine the time or date of your death, it’s already written in the book. Live your live, do what makes you happy and do it with those you love”. So once AGAIN…it wasn’t my time. But when that clock ticks it’s last second, there will be no doubt that I didn’t leave anything on the table. All that I’m going to leave behind are “do you remember how he used to”…”I remember that he always”…”if he were here right now, I bet he would”…”every time I think of him, I crack up because”…and mostly “When I look at him, I see him”…along with a few old unsmoked cigars in the box. My story so far has been quite remarkable, and it’s not finished…there is still one of the great love story’s with a happy ending, a whole bunch of “I love you and I’m proud of you” and “I can’t believe he did that”. For those that have and continue to matter, I’m grateful and you will still get my best…thanks for being part of my story.
Perhaps, especially in this industry, we should set an example and start writing our own story. By doing so, the story (or obituary) may be more than than just a perfunctory notice of our life…