Epitaphs of Interest: Professions
How do you want to be remembered? Have you ever thought about that? Beside the residual influence, the traces of your personality and actions that linger in those who had the great fortune, we are assuming it was fortunate, to meet or to know you… when your body is laid to rest, what will your epitaph – that ‘signature for strangers’ be?
Wandering the graves, as I have done many times, I wonder what impressions these people would have made on me were I able to meet them during their lives. Would they strike me as a loving father? A dedicated golfer? A Oregon ducks fan? Or would the lasting impression be less of the personal and more of the professional?
I understand that for many people, despite having loving families or diverse interests outside of their profession, it is their profession that reveals the most of who they are. In Willamette National Cemetery every person interred there is either a military veteran or the spouse of one. Each stone indicates the era in which they served – my own mother’s stone reads “Vietnam” despite her never having stepped foot on that continent. In addition, however, a personal epitaph is often present.
It strikes me, however, that when the PROFESSION is the predominant manner in which the family, assuming their are the ones choosing the epitaph, chose to memorialize their loved one, that perhaps it is because that is what they dedicated themselves to. Sometimes, their commitment is obvious from the epitaph:
Captain Todd here, was obviously dedicated to the ideals of his profession as “Healer” and “MD” profess. I get the idea that he went beyond traditional medicine in his role, however, and perhaps also gave significant attention to the emotional well-being of his patients as well. The inclusion of Healer and Musician impress upon me his interest and care for more than just the physical. There is always the chance that I am wrong, but such an epitaph nonetheless leaves an impression that I can at least hope was accurate.
When the sole remembrance is the only memory carved, there is less of an impression to be made. Sure, 1st Lt Hooten was an architecht but is that all he was? Was there more to him than being the designer of buildings or was that, indeed, his great passion?
I have nothing against professions. I am inordinately proud of being a teacher myself. Were I to pass tomorrow, however, it might be included in my epitaph in part because of my own pride and partly due to the pride my family takes in the professional path I have pursued. Yet no one would mistake that as being my center of being.
Perhaps that is what confuses me. With the more artistic professions I can certainly understand the depth and involvement that may have been required. but with more prosaic fields I have a hard time believing in their passion, though dedication is not hard to understand. Still, to be defined by your job forevermore?
