I am thinking of having a Wake for my 40th birthday. The event will be on Nov 13th (Sunday) probably in the afternoon.

Why a Wake?
Well, first, this is me we are talking about. I do drive a toy hearse. Not that I am goth or anything, I just have a weird sense about me.

But I also got to thinking about what we do when people are alive and when they are gone. When people are alive and we want to make them feel special, we Roast them. We tell horrible stories and jokes at their expense. I don’t like this idea. When you are at a memorial or a funeral, people tell stories about the person that is gone. I have attended a few for people I didn’t really know and have felt sorry I didn’t get a chance to know them better. And for the people I did know, I learn things I hadn’t heard before and I miss the chance to get to know that side of them. It would be much better if this was done before the person died.

So I am turning 40. Some of you may know that I have grown up not planning to make it past 42. I have been sort of forced to give up that idea but 40 is still the last big milestone most people would recognize (I have special plans for 42 since it is personally important to me). Many things have changed inside me over the last couple of years. I have had what I think is incredible personal growth. A lot of how I look at life and other people has completely been rewired. Sometimes I wouldn’t believe I was any other way if I didn’t remember whining and moaning about how hard it would be to do what I am doing easily now. I have moved on from my old life, gradually but I don’t think I can ever go back so probably permanently. This would be a good time to mark this and bury the Gina that was and celebrate the Gina that is. I have always wanted people to be celebratory when I die. Why not practice early?

I am torn between having it as a real Wake with eulogies, a memorial service, a drink to the fact that I was here celebration, encouragement that if you would attend my funeral to attend my Wake. Or just a Wake themed party and whoever shows shows.

One thing I do know is in lieu of presents, I want Gina stories. Written, recorded, drawn, whatever. I plan to have a recorder with me. I think it would be good for me to know what people remember of me and how people have seen me.

What, me, self centered?!?! Of course I am, it is my birthday, I am allowed to be self centered.

Comments would be appreciated.

{edit to correct date. Wake will be Sunday afternoon Nov 13th. I thought I put the 13th in the first time but guess not.}