Final Good Byes

There is usually a lot of helicopter fly overs here in L.A but there was non-stop helicopters hovering over my apartment building earlier this week. First I thought that the fires had taken a turn for the worst and were encroaching. Then I thought that maybe there had been an accident on the freeway nearby. I turned on the TV news and it turned out that it was because Michael Jackson was finally being put to rest at Forrest Lawns, a cemetery in Glendale just a few miles away. As the ceremony was closed to most news crews, the helicopters were shooting aerial footage of the family and friends as they arrived.

I can understand the family's grief and reluctance to part with their loved one as I lost my own dear brother weeks ago. However, I am personally very happy that Michael Jackson is finally being interred. Interment will help the family in the grieving process especially considering the events surrounding his death. Still, facing death is especially hard and we need lots of love, support and faith when it happens. I found a poem in a newspaper 20 years ago called Should I Die Tonight (see the post in my gallery). The poem is by Donald Temple and should not be confused with the more famous poem If I die Tonight by MG but they have the same themes. I found this poem helps me in grieving the "what ifs" of life especially when someone dies prematurely. Psalm 91 is also very helpful and I know it is often recited at many funerals.

The Psalms 91
Abiding in the Shadow of the Almighty

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust:
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand;
but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge,
even the Most High, thy habitation;

10 there shall no evil befall thee,
neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, Mt. 4.6 · Lk. 4.10
to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands,
lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Mt. 4.6 · Lk. 4.11

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:
the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Lk. 10.19

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.


Other Noteble Passings:
Blake Snyder of Save The Cat fame. I am loving this man's book on the art of screenwriting and it's a must have for any aspiring writer.The book is funny as well as informative and is an easy read. I missed meeting Mr. Snyder last year at one of the writing conferences because his session and a one on one consultation were both closed because they filled up so early.

Find Mr. Snyder's books and DVDs at http://www.amazon.com/.
Learn more about Forest Lawns at www.forestlawns.com.