No, I am NOT Dead!

/ nagneberg48

November 7, 2023

“Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Mark Twain

After Twain’s obituary was mistakenly published, he dispatched these words in a cable from London to the press.

Here’s my story:

When I purchased tickets to the recent National Lutheran Choir’s All Saints concert, I submitted names, as requested, of loved ones who have died in the past year. Those names would be recognized during the concert.

Imagine my surprise, when along with the names of my dear ones, my name—Nancy Agneberg—appeared on the screens in the front of the sanctuary as the choir sang.

Obviously, I was surprised, as was my husband sitting next to me, and friends also in attendance. I was also embarrassed, assuming I had filled in an incorrect space, pressed a wrong key. Whatever! Such an idiot, I told myself.

I am very much alive, but seeing my name listed among those who have died recently gave me pause.

My dear friend Carolyn knowing she would die soon was in the process of planning a party in which all who loved her would gather before she died. Unfortunately, she died before that could happen. However, she also planned her memorial service. When she died on December 1, there was no doubt about her wishes.

Have I planned my memorial service yet? Nope. Oh, I’ve tossed some thoughts–the names of a couple hymns (Beautiful Savior and Morning Has Broken) and a note about scripture I have wrestled with much my adult life (The Martha/Mary story in Luke 10: 38-42), but I have not filled out and submitted the church’s form. What exactly am I waiting for?

This is the week. You are all my witnesses!

One more thought: How easily I chastised myself. How quickly I called myself names. “Idiot.” “Stupid.”

I am not an idiot. I am not stupid. But I made a mistake, an error; one that in the big scheme of things doesn’t matter very much. No one died–not even me–because I goofed. Do I need another layer of self-recrimination added to my all-too human frailties?

Instead, how about this? “Oh, Nancy, remember you are a beloved child of God, and you are loved no matter what.”

An Invitation

Two questions today. 1. Have you prepared your funeral/memorial service? If not, why not? 2. What names do you call yourself? I would love to know. (Whoops–that’s three questions.)

15 thoughts on “No, I am NOT Dead!”

  1. When my son Josh was a resident in medicine I would ask him “How was your day?” He would reply “Nobody died!” meaning of course it was a good day!
    Your blog today reminded me of that.
    Stay well Nancy!
    Sending love your way.
    Marcia

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  5. RIP, Nancy. And may light perpetual shine on you. 🙂

    And, PLAN YOUR MEMORIAL SERVICE.

    Love, Saul S ________________________________

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  6. What a great story that makes! It also makes you a humorist, ala Mark Twain. Thank you for my daily chuckle❤️

    P.S. I reserve those 2 incriminating words you used for only one individual. The one on trial while also running for President. So there.

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  8. At least you were there, in the audience, to dispute that name on the screen. Can you imagine if you had not been present, how your friends and acquaintances would have felt?

    I have done nothing to plan for my death except to say I hope I go like my father, sister, and to some extent, my paternal grandmother–doing, and/or saying, something I love and want to make known. As for services, I’ll let those left behind to plan (or not) any kind of service. I have learned that no matter what you plan for after your death, the survivors will do whatever they please.

    My exclamation when I do something wrong, “Delaine, pay attention.”

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  9. What a shock that must’ve been to see your name on the screen!

    I have talked to my husband about what I would like, as far as funeral arrangements (no traditional wake and service…maybe a celebration of life and then cremation), but I haven’t put anything in writing.

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