Friday, March 1, 2013

R.I.P. Plain Jane

Act # 60:  Write your own obituary.


Plain Jane
1972-2063

At the age of 91, Plain Jane passed away peacefully in her sleep with a smile on her face.  Born in Chicago, raised in Bangkok, and having spent most of her adult life in Kentucky, Jane was an Appal-Asian to her core.

Jane was just a regular, simple, common human being who never measured the success of her life or the lives of others by personal accomplishments, educational attainments, or professional titles, but rather, by the impact one makes on the people around them. 

During the last 51 years of her life Jane lived passionately and with fierce intention.  She and her staff of the Plain Jane Foundation, a national grant-making organization that provides funding for female start-up social enterprises and non-profits, always left work promptly at 2:30 p.m. when the office shut down (so employees could go pick up their kids from school, spend time with an aging parent, volunteer at the local food bank, or just go for a run!), worked a 4-day week, and had one-month paid sabbaticals to explore "the place where your deep gladness meets the world's deep needs".

Jane is survived and will be missed greatly by her only son, her friend and constant inspiration, Jack the creator of the Plain Jack Activist figures, the non-violent alternative toy line that soared in popularity in the 2040's, ultimately exceeding sales of traditional action figures. 

Family and friends are invited for a final act of peaceful resistance at the top of the East Pinnacle, to toast the lives of Jane and her husband, Adam, with Argentine wine and Kentucky Bourbon, in a town that will clearly never become wet (a local battle that Jane long gave up when she successfully helped to pass the State Fairness Law in 2019), and where Jane's ashes will be reunited with those of her soul mate and long-time life partner. Together they will embark on their final journey, and return to the cool, crisp autumn air that brought them to one another 58 years ago.  They will finally get to see the world!  And beyond. And this time Adam won't need a Valium for the plane ride.

At the request of Jane and Adam, no flowers, no memorial gifts, but rather a simple heartfelt appeal for you to take a moment to ask yourself, how do you want to be remembered when you are no longer here?


 
 

5 comments:

  1. I love this. Thank you.

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    1. Thank YOU. It was emotionally toiling to write, but good. Very good.

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  2. I love this too!

    Oh, and I want to work for you! :)

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    1. Let's start forming this foundation now, Lisa!!!!
      :-)

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  3. Ok, this made me cry... I know I need to write one for my inner-child; her voice has been muted over time and needs to be heard!

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