Friday, September 14, 2012

Celebrate a Life



I saw this on Facebook yesterday, and while I already re-shared it there, I wanted to put it up here for you guys as well. I've experienced a lot of loss in my life, and it hurts, but I still subscribe to the school of thought that it is better to celebrate a life well lived than it is to wallow grief beyond the normal mourning.

Anyway, I didn't put this up to spark any philosophical discussions, just to say: have a great weekend!

20 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

No, you're right, it should be a celebration of life. Focus on the joy that person brought.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

That's a very powerful video. I didn't see it on FB. Thanks for sharing it here.

Life is to be celebrated, even when it's lost.

Dianne K. Salerni said...

I've never seen a ceremony like that before. It was very emotional and probably cathartic.

Eliza Tilton said...

Beautiful. I'm sure the family was beyond touched.

Stina said...

That was kind of scary at first. I had no idea what they were doing. Fortunately those there would have know. That was a cool send off.

Thanks for sharing, Matt.

Old Kitty said...

I thought these soldiers were about to attack the car - then I realised what was happening. It's a most manly way to send off a warrior to face his next battle!

Take care
x

Sarah Ahiers said...

Love it. I love Maori culture

triles said...

Thanks for sharing this. Brings tears to my eyes.

Michael G-G said...

You'll see a lot of this (the "haka") if you're a fan of the New Zealand rugby union team, the All-Blacks. They warm up in this way.

It is very powerful as a funeral send-off. Thanks for sharing, and have a great weekend too.

Bish Denham said...

Oh Matt, that brought tears to my eyes. So powerful, so beautiful.

farawayeyes said...

Thanks for sharing (I shut down my Facebook account a few months ago - tired of their goo). Did bring tears to my eyes also.

I was raised in a large Polish family, many funerals in my youth. They would have a long 2-3 day wake followed by a funeral including Mass at the church then every one went to a gathering including lots of food, lots of booze and a riotous celebration of a life well lived. As I 'grew up' I realized that not every body did this. I always thought that was a little sad. I actually hope people will be dancing at my funeral, I know I will be.

Have a great weekend.

Steve MC said...

It's good to see how strong the Maori culture is in their military, and how they keep that strength and raw dignity in the face of loss.

TL Conway said...

Love the Maori culture and the Haka. So amazing. Thank you for sharing.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I've never seen that before. It's like a huge catharsis or expulsion of pent up emotion. I think I really like it. Death is very emotional and this kind of thing encouraging men to scream and get it out is far better than silent mourning. This is especially true since I'm an atheist. For example, when I die, I just think I'm essentially decomposing matter. So a funeral should be about the living and how they deal with the passing of a dead person.

Kristen Wixted said...

Absolutely with you. Impressive video-I love youtube for this stuff.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Thanks for sharing that here, Matt, because I missed it on FB.

Johanna Garth said...

Wow, so powerful. I wonder what language they're speaking and where this tradition evolved from.

Johanna Garth said...

Wow, so powerful. I wonder what language they're speaking and where this tradition evolved from.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

I hadn't seen this before and really appreciate you putting it up. So powerful and fitting. I love that the Maori culture is such a part of New Zealand life.

dolorah said...

That was a special send off.

......dhole