In some leisure reading this week I came across a comical expression, "unsuccessful attire". It was in George Eliot's Scenes of Clerical Life and described a woman in a certain parish. I chuckled to myself when that description of the ladies clothing choice was offered. My first thought, I must confess , was "I certainly hope none can say that about my attire." My second thought came quickly after, "There are much worse things than unsuccessful attire."
For instance, to be remembered for "unsuccessful parenting" or "unsuccessful maturing in the Lord" or "unsuccessful homemaking". The list could be virtually endless. This thought chain lead me to thinking about what I would want written about me, which then lead me to an obscure book I bought years ago at a Christian conference. It is one of a very few books on my shelf that I haven't finished, the writing is unremarkable. Why buy it? It was the dedication to the author's mother (who happens to have a fabulous name).
To ALBY KIPHUTH-
Or as I know her,
Mom.
You have always been a great adventurer, a passionate lover of life, a free spirit with a questioning mind, an insatiable curiosity, an extraordinary resilience, and an indomitable spirit.
You are proof of the beauty of the human spirit.
So much better than "unsuccessful attire", no? It is almost exactly what I want as my epitaph. The only addition needed is how none of it would be possible without the inexpressible grace and mercy of my Lord and Savior, Jesus who loves me despite myself.
How would you want your epitaph to read?
