When my number is up, I hope no one will hope that I rest in peace. Ive never really understood that phrase anyway. Is it a kind way of saying, Heres to hoping youve escaped the fiery torments of eternal damnation? I suspect its often been used in supplication, as in, Please rest in peace. No need to come back and haunt me. When you really think about it though, is resting in peace something you really want to wish on a guy? For instance, if, as many believe, when I die I just wink out of existence, then to hope I rest in peace seems a hollow and inappropriate sentiment, since I will be doing neither. To be AT peace is certainly desirable, but I dont necessarily equate rest with peace. To me, the word rest as it applies to humans, infers a certain degree of consciousness, in which case moldering in my grave would hardly be a peaceful experience. And, if as others believe, I step across the threshold of a new and unfamiliar reality, resting is the last thing Ill want to do. Ill want to explore. No, I think a far superior sentiment to express sympathy or empathy to someone is simply to say, I will remember you always.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 22:41:37 +0000