My Asks of the Living When I’m Dead aka Fire at Will

Glad my name’s not Will.

Coronavirus has reminded me that although I’m young and healthy-ish, I could die tomorrow. It’s more plausible to occur from a bike accident than some novel zoonotic vector but the point remains that death is always ahead of us at some point, someday, whether rain or sunshine.

I’ve never been one to dream up wedding plans and babies but I surely am a writer who wants to be published and a person who loves fiercely in this life. My ego remains and whether that’s narcissism or good writing has not yet been proven but I’ll tell ya what happens at my going away party. You’ll cremate me or plant me at the base of a beautiful pine tree. I’d prefer to be eaten by wolves but I guess that’s not an option yet due to the legalese and worn-out traditions of our ancestors.

Once you accept my outlandish goals you will then honor my realistic dreams.

When I die, I ask the following:

1. Please read Trees by Joyce Kilmer at my funeral.
2. Sing Tom Chapin’s “Family Tree” and bring a pianist to Play Chopin’s posthumously published Nocturne in C Sharp Minor.
3. Brother David, please read through my journals and figure out how to publish them.
4. Mom, please finish any illustrations that fit the work.
5. Ben, Uncle John, Uncle Leonard, Uncle Don Finney, Uncle Don Smith, Cousin Michael, Cousin Kevin, Cousin Bryan, Cousin Eric, please be the pallbearers.
6. All of my cousins already have children. Promise to teach them to hula hoop and play piano at least at the beginner levels.
7. Cousin Sara, be the one to speak about me when they ask for someone to share memories.
8. Aunt Deb, plan for no flowers and make sure all donations or acts of kindness go towards an animal-focused or planet-friendly NGO.
9. David, after you give up on transcribing my journals and poetry send them along to my friend Kate Hain.
10. Give my bikes to a non-profit organization that helps children who are homeless or fosters.
11. Donate the piano, microphone, and speakers to the organization Youth on Record here in Denver.
12. Give my art to my mother, except for the Prayer of Saint Francis, please let Dad keep that one. And the awesome one and Beatles art. Sorry Mom, lol.
13. Ask Aunt Ellen to take in the art that talks about being awesome. Ben, you’ll know which piece it is.
14. Ben and Lani might give Rascal that magic yard and Frank Sinatra love. Ben might be cool with this cuz Rascal is the same size as Sonic which is a dog Ben loved growing up.
15. Dad, play the song “Pop, Goes the Weasel!” on harmonica and guitar and tell a good Dad Joke.
16. Also, Dad, please donate my books to an organization that focuses on literacy for children and young adults that are learning English as their second language.
17. Give my furniture and food to my friends David Sapp and Katie Sapp.
18. My plants to Emily Scott.
19. All Beatles art to Joe and Kristi and Chad.
20. The end I have basically nothing else except for the game of Monopoly, lol.

My life insurance policy already has beneficiaries: Ben & David. I’d add Rascal but he’s a dog and doesn’t really understand fiscal matters.

<3