People avoid death all the time. How do they do it? There are lots of ways that have existed for centuries, to which I have listed a few below, and other ways will likely emerge in the future. Of those I know not, only what I read online about life-extending science research and news.
Here are a few things on how to avoid death as you know it: Passing genes onto offspring lends itself to a sort of immortality. People commit deeds, good or bad, noticeable enough to mark their names in history books. Creators sign their art whether it’s a painted canvas, a comic book, a novel, clothing, articles, film, etc.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
-Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
To take Juliet’s question out of context and answer it in a different way: An immortal memoir-that’s what’s in a name. Depending on the moniker and the deeds behind it, it can evoke fear and anger or inspire hope, happiness and creativity for the rest of time.
So, if one remembers someone by name then they continue to live on, but this isn’t a new concept-it’s a confirmation that I now know how to immortalize my grandmother, who I call Nana. Her name is Neva and she has a propensity for storytelling, particularly recounting tales of her life. I’ve listened to many but I can’t recall them all. Recently, I turned our phone conversations from the weather and her health to be more specific and asked how she’d feel about documenting her life with me. Her response was, “Well what do you want to know?” I replied, “Everything.” And 40 minutes later, I learned more about her than I have in 28 years.
And with that, we’re working on her memoir which is something I’d like to gift to her and our family in the near future. She turns 90 in May and her days are sometimes a struggle. I honestly hope her life is extended by our mission to recount her time before it’s up.
The closest I’ve come to reading a memoir is “Eisner/Miller,” if it’s even considered that (it’s more of an interview). I’m happily opening the floor to advice on how to write one. I can easily do research and figure out what kind of format works best, etc., but it’s so much more fun to hear from others, especially those who have read good memoirs or have experience with this kind of writing.
matteruniverse.com 