When we Talk about Death... Holiday edition
by Joyce Gemperlein
DECEMBER 29, 2009 TAGS:
How we feel, deal with and talk about death and transition is an ongoing, evolving process, a conversation captured in vignettes that continually pop up on Internet sites and in the blogosphere. Here’s a sampling of postings related to the winter holidays and the new year that prove death does not take a holiday:
-Nothing brings out holiday cheer, hope and spirit more than terrifying Christmas movies in which death or murder reigns or a loved one comes back as a creepy snowman. Here’s a whole bunch of movies in which large amounts of snow are involved. And don’t forget to ponder right-wing commentator Glenn Beck’s book and movie with a plot that is driven by death and ugly seasonal sweaters.
-And here are suggestions for gift books centered on solving crimes, usually murder.
-The death rate from heart attacks spikes during the holidays. Maybe it’s those books and movies. And, what’s the story with suicides happening more often at this time of year? According to this, it’s a stubborn myth.
-“I have no living friends in Iraq now.” A blogger for the New York Times updates his annual death list. And in Minnesota, John Petroskas is finishing up his yearly list of local homeless people and how they died.
-More and more germy people go to the gym to make good on New Year’s resolutions to cheat death by exercising, a situation guaranteed to scare the jingle out of you.
-‘Tis the season to give someone something he or she can try not to kill, like a Christmas cactus or pointsettia or the diabolical Friendship Bread Starter.
-Dead elves and health care in Spokane? Do tell.
-Lots of celebrities exited this year. Here’s a handy list – one of many others floating around -- of those on the brink and those who tumbled over.
-In all their uncrowded loveliness, these abandoned shopping malls are where the ghosts of Christmases past buy their gifts.
-Australian Bill Bradshaw, an antiques collector, died right before the holiday season, which is significant because according to his obituary he “seemed to live on tea and fruitcake alone.”
.
-From flying latkes to Christmas tree lights, the holidays can be deadly. The same goes for driving full of liquid cheer.
-As the year ends, here’s what’s going on with the federal estate tax, more commonly known as the “death tax.”
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-The U.S. Census Bureau says the United States will go into the new year with 308 million people and the Center for Disease Control has all sorts of figures related to death and causes of death.
-In Athens, Ga., there was 24-hour guard on the city’s Christmas tree, but not because they were afraid it will catch on fire. No, last year’s was torched by rioters angry over the shooting of a young man by police.
-Do you care how your holiday ham lived and died? Ethical omnivores say you should.
-A Missouri funeral home that invested in equipment to videocast funerals to those who could not attend is using the technology to help local families express their holiday wishes to men and women overseas serving in the military.
-A volunteer organization laid 16,000 wreaths at the tombstones -- including those at Arlington National Cemetery -- of soldiers who died in combat.
-Finally, to make the yuletide bright there is this: “I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus,” is a $40 downloadable “mystery” game to play with friends or the whole family, including the little ones.
Joyce Gemperlein is a regular contributor to Obit.
-Nothing brings out holiday cheer, hope and spirit more than terrifying Christmas movies in which death or murder reigns or a loved one comes back as a creepy snowman. Here’s a whole bunch of movies in which large amounts of snow are involved. And don’t forget to ponder right-wing commentator Glenn Beck’s book and movie with a plot that is driven by death and ugly seasonal sweaters.-And here are suggestions for gift books centered on solving crimes, usually murder.
-The death rate from heart attacks spikes during the holidays. Maybe it’s those books and movies. And, what’s the story with suicides happening more often at this time of year? According to this, it’s a stubborn myth.
-“I have no living friends in Iraq now.” A blogger for the New York Times updates his annual death list. And in Minnesota, John Petroskas is finishing up his yearly list of local homeless people and how they died.
-More and more germy people go to the gym to make good on New Year’s resolutions to cheat death by exercising, a situation guaranteed to scare the jingle out of you.
-‘Tis the season to give someone something he or she can try not to kill, like a Christmas cactus or pointsettia or the diabolical Friendship Bread Starter.
-Dead elves and health care in Spokane? Do tell.
-Lots of celebrities exited this year. Here’s a handy list – one of many others floating around -- of those on the brink and those who tumbled over.
-In all their uncrowded loveliness, these abandoned shopping malls are where the ghosts of Christmases past buy their gifts.
-Australian Bill Bradshaw, an antiques collector, died right before the holiday season, which is significant because according to his obituary he “seemed to live on tea and fruitcake alone.”
.
-From flying latkes to Christmas tree lights, the holidays can be deadly. The same goes for driving full of liquid cheer.
-As the year ends, here’s what’s going on with the federal estate tax, more commonly known as the “death tax.”
-The U.S. Census Bureau says the United States will go into the new year with 308 million people and the Center for Disease Control has all sorts of figures related to death and causes of death.-In Athens, Ga., there was 24-hour guard on the city’s Christmas tree, but not because they were afraid it will catch on fire. No, last year’s was torched by rioters angry over the shooting of a young man by police.
-Do you care how your holiday ham lived and died? Ethical omnivores say you should.
-A Missouri funeral home that invested in equipment to videocast funerals to those who could not attend is using the technology to help local families express their holiday wishes to men and women overseas serving in the military.
-A volunteer organization laid 16,000 wreaths at the tombstones -- including those at Arlington National Cemetery -- of soldiers who died in combat.
-Finally, to make the yuletide bright there is this: “I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus,” is a $40 downloadable “mystery” game to play with friends or the whole family, including the little ones.
Joyce Gemperlein is a regular contributor to Obit.
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