Posted on 05/15/2015 9:59:02 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A Dane’s self-penned obituary declaring she was leaving the world "under protest" has been shared far and wide on Danish social media this week.
Jane Randolph Gordon was told in 2011 that her breast cancer had spread, so the Copenhagen native had time to come terms with her own death.
By the time the inevitable happened and Gordon died at age 61 on May 6th, she had also found the time to write her own obituary.
“Beloved daughter, my wonderful husband, sweet family and beautiful friends. It is under protest that I have left this world – far too much remained to be explored,” Gordon’s obituary began.
“Thank you for lots of love, good laughs, delightful travels and intense discussions – and for enduring my straightforward manner,” she continued.
Gordon went on to thank the folks at Herlev Hospital “for keeping me alive for so long” and expressed her hope that they would “solve the mystery of breast cancer” before encouraging those she left behind to live their lives to the fullest.
“I hope that all of you have a long and beautiful life from here on out – enjoy every single day and remember that all of those days that just come and go, those are the days that are life,” Gordon wrote.
She ended by asking her friends and family to send her a warm thought when they sing around the bonfire on Midsummer’s Eve, which would have been her 62 birthday.
The obituary as published in Politiken.
Following its publication in the newspapers Berlingske and Politiken on Sunday, Gordon’s obituary has been widely shared on social media and her life has been the subject of numerous news stories.
Gordon’s daughter, Anne-Louise Gordon, told Berlingske that her mother prepared everything before her death.
“She wrote her own obituary and arranged who would speak in the church and what she would wear. She said: ‘I don’t want a normal obituary because it is under protest that I am leaving',” Anne-Louise Gordon said.
Jane Randolph Gordon’s husband Kim said that his wife ended her life as she lived it, always wanting to have the last word.
“I always asked myself: Is this discussion important? Nah, so she was always allowed to say the final sentence,” Kim Gordon said.
In this case, her last words touched touched and inspired legions of Danes whom she never met.
Gordon was buried at Frederiksberg Church on Wednesday but it's a good bet that she will be in the thoughts of many around Midsummer's Eve fires next month.
But ... she's dead. So how can anyone send her anything? Know what I mean?
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
This lady had the right idea, may she rest in peace.
I always figured on doing the same.
And then a young woman I knew, when she was faced with no other options, did exactly that - she planned her own funeral, the music, the readings, everything.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Gordon.
Great poem. Remember it since high school but it’s such a futile effort. When the reaper comes knocking, all the kicking and screaming in the world wont help.
I hope I can be as brave as this woman was. Probably not lol. I am a know coward. Wanted in 12 states for 1st degree cowardice :)
“remember that all of those days that just come and go, those are the days that are life”
How true. Blowing through weeks at work, waiting for weekends which seem to last 5 minutes, hurrying there, hurrying home, little rat running the maze, then suddenly you get a pink slip and it’s all coming to an end. Find yourself saying “Where did the time go?” The years go flying by. We take so much for granted. And it’s all so fragile. People we know and enjoy being with, thunderstorms, birds singing, great music, good books, relaxing evenings with good friends...enjoy while you can. How bittersweet.
I’m keeping an old phone message from two years ago.
Its from the late Rev John Hill from Greenville, NC.
He was a pastor I watched on TV and was a man’s man. He used to call me when I sent small donations and we would talk some. Then he died suddenly one night. I just happened to replay his phone message on the machine today.
What a fine man he was and too bad we never met live but was planning on it. He’s with the Savior He so loved and served.
I read that poem at my Dad’s funeral. Nothing else could have drawn the old soldier’s last infuriating days the way that poem did. It will always have a wild place in my heart, as does he.
Amen, good for you and may your dad rest in peace.
I am a know coward. Wanted in 12 states for 1st degree cowardice :)
It’s OK, you are a freeper, so you have reserves to draw on when needed.
Big baby here myself!
good to know I’m not alone :)
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