Thursday, January 20, 2011

Memorable Writing

When I was in the fifth grade, we were given a project to write our own epitaph. It was a lesson in poetry.
`
My maiden name is, well, difficult to rhyme. This is what I was virtually stuck with:
`
Here lies Janna Leadbetter.
When she was little
she was a bedwetter.
`
(I found my honest and vulnerable root in writing early, I guess.)
`
Years later, after my surname changed and I was a new mom, my husband sold wheels to a young man online. When he came to pick them up, and I opened the door, we realized we knew each other. We'd been childhood classmates.
`
He said, "I'll never forget your epitaph." And he recited it verbatim.
`
That's some memorable writing.
`
What would you write as your epitaph, just for fun?

25 comments:

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Oh my goodness...the wheel guy remembered! You are really moving places. Badumdum! ;)

Hmmm, off the cuff:

Lived her heart out (okay, maybe not funny if I die of some heart related dealio).

Trying again:

Lived a passionate life of compassion.

That's all I've got for you this fine morning when I can't feel my fingers it's so chilly. ;)

~ Wendy

Liza said...

What a fun story! I thought a few minutes about what my stone would say, but then got distracted by your list of favorite authors. Since two of mine are on there, I had to check out the others. I'm so glad I don't have to work today. Off to the library I go! Thanks.

Terri Tiffany said...

That is too funny!! What a way to be remembered:) LOL

Jessica Nelson said...

Hahahaa! Definitely memorable. ;-) I don't know what mine would be. What rhymes with Nelson? LOL

Anonymous said...

LOL! Yes, you were an honest writer that left an impression early in life. I'm not sure what rhymes with Simpson...

Janna Leadbetter said...

So maybe my name was easier to rhyme with than I thought? ;)

The Hat Chick said...

That is too funny!

Has to rhyme with my last name in fifth grade?

Here lies Hat Chick Curtis
She was kind, well-mannered,
fashionable and courteous.

..Hmmm, that was hard.

Diane said...

Hahahahahaha Love it and totally too memorable. I'm gonna start singing it around the house when I need a laugh. :O)

AvDB said...

Too funny. I love a kid with a good sense of humor.

I guess mine could be:

Here lies Avery DeBow:
Easy come,
Easy go.

Sage Ravenwood said...

Wonderful imagery! I love your humor.

Mine? I'm dreadful at these things.

Here lies Indigo Ravenwood.
Her soul now flies with
the raven in the wood.

Cringes...(Hugs)Indigo

Joy said...

That was funny! An epitaph that rhymes with my surname..? Will take some time doing that...:)

Kelly H-Y said...

Oh my goodness, that is a riot!

Jill Kemerer said...

Ha! Hilarious! I can't believe he remembered. I don't know what mine could be. My maiden name and my married name are difficult to rhyme!

Lydia Kang said...

Oh, your epitaph was awesome! I don't think mine would be that good...

Here lies Lydia, who complains
When her name is spelled with a Y
But you can misspell it all you want
Since she can no longer complain.

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

LOVE it!!!

How about;
Here lies Capri Kelly Hoover.
She doesn't want to be here, but don't move her!

Helen Ginger said...

Wow. Was it the epitaph he remembered? Or you? Probably both. And that was indeed a great epitaph.

Kathy said...

Does it have to rhyme?

My maiden name has lots of possibilities.

Here in the ground is Kathy Lee,
A writer, a mom and a wife was she.

How's that? :)

Sarah Allen said...

Ha! Thats great :) Hmmm, lets see...Here lies Sarah Allen, who lived in Fruit Loops and skim milk by the gallon. Haha, don't know if mines as good, but that's all I've got for now. Thanks for your honesty, humor and wonderful advice.

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

myletterstoemily said...

ha ha! that's a great story!

"write what you know!"

LInda Hoye said...

Too funny! You made quite the impression!

Let's see...maiden name:

Here lies Linda Brauer
Underneath the pretty flower

groan...married name:

Here lies Linda Hoye
Devoted Grandma
Of a beautiful little girl
And a handsome little boy

double groan....

DL Hammons said...

LOL!

Here Lies DL Hammons
Wanna trade places?


:)

Kathryn Magendie said...

Laughing!

He remembered! wow! -he must have had a secret crush on you... :-D


That's pretty brave for a 5th grader.

Well, dang -guess I won't have one because I want to be cremated...

Here lies Kat
well not really
because she's not here
she's there and there and over there and there and beyond and yonder .... eh, huhn

Erin MacPherson said...

That is HILARIOUS. I love that he remembered it years later.

Deb Shucka said...

What a great story. I love your new look - it feels like spring and is so much easier on my aging eyes.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

That's hilarious!

I think mine should say "Hoo lies here."