"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world." When Louis Armstrong sings that beautiful line, I feel full of the joy of life, even if life is temporary and soon gone.

I hope that my funeral is not only a sad time for my friends and family. I hope they feel what I would wis-that my death will remind them to treasure each day and celebrate life even more sweetly because it is short.

I want each guest to be given a small gift containing a Godiva chocolate and a coin, with instructions to savor and spend immediately, because life is sweet and is not a dress rehearsal!

I would like two songs to be played: Blackbird by the Beatles, and Wonderful Life by Louis Armstrong.

Even simply thinking about my death, I am reminded to live fully in each and every moment. Here are the lyrics to my songs.

BLACKBIRD, by the Beatles
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD - Louis Armstrong
I see trees of green........ red roses too
I see 'em bloom..... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue..... clouds of white
Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world.

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin'.. how do you do
They're really sayin'......i love you.

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
They'll learn much more.....than I'll never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are there on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin'.. how do you do
They're really sayin'...*spoken*(I ....love....you).

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
You know they're gonna learn
A whole lot more than I'll never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself .......what a wonderful world.

Learn more about this author, Eva Smart.
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