Create a Grand Exit
What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write Making Your Mark | Leaving a Legacy | And then… A Grand Exit That’ll Have Their Tongues Waggin’?
Several years ago, a friend, who was a “parrothead” – a big Jimmy Buffett fan – passed away. His Celebration of Life was held at an open air bar along the lake, and the minister started the service by saying, “I never thought I’d say this at a funeral, but let’s all go to Margaritaville!” Then, someone pushed the button on a sound system and Jimmy Buffett’s song, ‘Margaritaville,’ blasted over the sound system. On cue, someone drove a small tractor from behind a building pulling the deceased guy’s boat. The place went wild and the “Celebration” was on. We sang, we told stories, we ate, drank, and danced. What a party!
At that moment I thought to myself, “This is the way to make your exit from this world so no one will forget you for a long, long time. From there, I set out to write a book about making a mark on family, friends, and society throughout one’s life and leaving a legacy for future generations. A big part of the book would be how to create a Grand Exit from this world with class, style, and pizzazz, just like my friend’s Celebration of Life by the lake. The result is this book, MAKING YOUR MARK, LEAVING A LEGACY, AND THEN . . . A GRAND EXIT THAT’LL HAVE THEIR TONGUES WAGGIN’.
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
One thing that surprised me in writing this book was that most of the information in the book was from my own personal experiences or from observations of other people. However, in researching unique ways to donate a deceased person’s body for medical purposes, I was amazed at some of the possibilities, such as donating a body to use as a crash test “dummy.” And, there are other uses that are just as unique.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
When I was younger, I just assumed that everyone I knew and loved would always be in my life forever but, of course, that is not true. Impressing on me that life is uncertain and that treasuring every moment spent with a friend or loved one is precious would have been good advice.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope that his book inspires people to live in a way that makes a positive mark on their family, friends, and society and that leaves a legacy for future generations. Then, when it is time to leave this world, I hope that they are inspired to make a Grand Exit that will awe, amuse, and entertain their family and friends so no one forgets them for a long long time.
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When the time comes for you to leave this world, you can go out with class, style, and pizzazz, just like you lived your life, There are many options, possibilities, and decisions involved in planning a final farewell as we will see as we watch the Grand Exit of Timothy A.B. Smythe. Timothy’s Grand Exit will have people’s tongues waggin’ for a long time and it can serve as an inspiration for your final farewell, when the time comes.
Much of the information in the book is presented in true stories, scenarios, and examples that are upbeat, often humorous, and fun to read.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/08/28/create-a-grand-exit/
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