There was a series a few years ago where Grayson Perry met people involved some major life events - birth, divorce, death etc For the guy who was close to death - he arranged a large party of everyone who knew him and Grayson made a huge ceramic pot and everyone had to put a note into it saying what they felt and loved about the man. It was lovely as the man involved got to know what people felt about him , why they cared, and they had a great party too,
I was lucky as when I retired my colleagues and friends did me a whole day of celebration, set up without any input from me and mostly secret, with clandestine conversations with family etc, - quizzes, videos, blown up photos of me at various points in life, a mini barn dance, a lovely lunch, speeches ( longest by me!), presents, a small choir singing " Heroes" by David Bowie (one of my favorite songs) It was crammed with activity and lovely stuff and I was knackered, overwhelmed and incredibly grateful to them for celebrating with / for me. Old colleagues as well as current ones, and some family attended. I was embarrased at times by such emotion ( being mainly a stoic) but I took it in the spirit in which it was meant . So I think I had my celebration of life stuff just a few years earlier than the person In Grayson's programme. I still feel grateful and loved as a result of that day, and have the cards they brought and some gifts which I can use to look back on the day and a working life where I was lucky to have lovely colleagues who I valued and who valued me.
So anyone out there got thoughts on how they would like to celebrate life now with people they care about?
