Janet Powell, Mortician
Upon the death of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and now, Edward Kennedy, we all feel the pangs of grief. There have been many deaths recently. Most deaths are void of publicity leaving the process of mourning to the family members and friends. Their celebrations are without fanfare but just as excruciatingly painful. The deaths of a public person, results in grief within their family structures as well as those fans that made them a part of their lives.
All losses are painful for anyone who is in the throes of a death. Pain has no class or monetary structure. Some deaths do result in national or global grief. The nation mourns together and recovers together.
This week’s death of Kennedy presents a loss for a generation that witnessed the childhood of Michael, the emancipation of the female through Farrah and the fantasy of the older adult Kennedy. Each covered three generations of our lives making their deaths, personal. Each covered a music genre, style of clothing and political agenda. Each life covered a war. Each was fraught with personally challenged losses and addictions. Each suffered losses of character but initiated reverses for posterity.
The funeral services are reflective of the lives they chose and they allow the families and the public to share’ When we grieve we make ourselves better because of the inclusion. At death, star power and money are reduced to fodder. As all of us do, we mourn loss. As we mourn we forget minor flaws.
We bury seeds to raise flowers and we simply remember the love.
More after death than before, we smile with glee when Michael Jackson’s music plays. The theme song to “Charlie’s Angels”, takes us to a carefree, prosperous time that we want back. Senator Edward Kennedy reminds all of us who look up to a mentor for guidance and wisdom to seek another. Soon!
