{famous last words}

"morbid" is a very funny word. it's a word which is defined by the dictionary as, "suggesting an unhealthy mental state or attitude" but which most people use to mean, "stop talking about death."

but i don't think it's morbid to talk about death. death is like a very large hole in a very dark room, growing wider and deeper all the time. it's unavoidable... so why should i pretend it's not there? you can though, i guess, if you want.

but the point is not that. the point is more that this weekend, i found the quote pictured below on my tea bag.

it reminded me that when i was a kid, i had this fascination with famous last words. i remember trying to think of something really witty and profound and comforting to say, just in case i suddenly found myself plummeting into that inevitable black hole. something good to shout back up to my family and friends to be remembered by. maybe even just something hilarious, that could be quoted at the funeral and make all my aunties giggle through their tears.

being, like, eight or nine, i don't think i came up with anything good. but since then, i've heard some very good famous last words, and i thought i'd share them. even if you think it's a bit morbid of me.

"i can't sleep." - james m. barrie

"hey fellas! how about this for a headline for tomorrow's paper? 'french fries.'" - james french {who was killed by electric chair}

"this is the last of earth! i am content." - john quincy adams

"now comes the mystery." - henry ward beecher

"friends applaud, the comedy is over." - ludwig van beethoven

"that was a great game of golf, fellers." - bing crosby

"i've never felt better." - douglas fairbanks, sr

"it's all been very interesting." - lady mary wortley montagu

"die? i should say not, dear fellow. no barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him." -john barrymore

"jakie, is it my birthday or am i dying?" {seeing all her children at her bedside} - lady nancy astor

"I don't know what I may seem to the world. But as to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than the ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." - isaac newton

"it is well." - george washington