Friday, November 05, 2010

Your Turn

If you could bring one person back to life, who would it be, and what would you say?

60 comments:

Sue Ellen Mishkey said...

My grandma cause I never got to say goodbye. I was too young to see her cause she was a wreck with bone cancer and morphine. I would just tell her I love her and miss her everyday. That's all.

Seachica said...

Michael Jackson, to tell his family to back the hell off.

George Washington, because we need some real leadership in this country these days.

Tania said...

My Dad.
I'd say all the things I wish I'd said before he died. Things I never said because I didn't think I needed to say them out loud, but now I think he would have liked to hear them all the same. Mostly 'thank you', and 'I love you'.

__-__=__ said...

Ghandi. I would ask him to help the world.

RocketQueen said...

Personal - My dad. I would say sorry if I made him feel unloved the last time we spoke, ask him to get help and beg him not to commit suicide.

Not personal - Joan of Arc. I have so many questions.

mooshki said...

My great-grandmother. I'd want to hear her entire life story. The snippets I learned while she was alive were fascinating. She was in high society in Salinas during the Steinbeck years. She once told me that she and her friends avoided him because he never bathed, lol.

clatie said...

My mom, so she could meet my kids.

Terri said...

Jesus. I'd like to hear his take on what has become of his teachings.

bflogurl said...

^^ Excellent choice Terri! I have a bad feeling he would not be impressed....

Karmen said...

First thought was my grandma to hear all of her stories, and thank her for all the cards she sent me. I think it's why I love sending cards even in this email/texting-centric world.

But if I had to choose, it'd be my friend who committed suicide. Just so he can see how many people's lives he affected.

mindyj9 said...

My Dad. I'd tell him how sorry I am, how much I miss him and want him back, and to introduce him to his granddaughter.

Patty said...

My Dad, who died when I was little.

"I would very much like you to meet your grandchildren." (with tears as I type this).

kathrynnova said...

anyone who has died - and then i'd ask "what happens after you die"

Barton Fink said...

Goodness grief, I almost had to wipe the tears as I read these posts -- very beautiful stuff, you all.

jax said...

my brother. i'd tell him HIV wasn't a death sentence and not to do heroin.

Kurt Cobain. What really happened?

parissucksliterally said...

My Daddy. He died 3 months ago, and I am torn up from it.

I would tell him I love him and thank him for everything.

Beth said...

Personal - my grandfather so that I could hear him tell just one more of his very long stories (as long as it took) and so I could tell him all he missed because of cigarettes.

Historically, I'd bring back the Founding Fathers (I couldn't pick just one) and tell this country what real political debate looks like!

awesome balla. said...

@terri: i was going to say the EXACT same thing. i'd love to ask, 'is this what you intended?'

leonardo da vinci: the man was a freaking genius. imagine what he could do with today's technology. i'd love to ask him what he thought of dan brown.

Moosefan said...

My brother in law who was murdered 2 years ago. His case is still not solved. I would tell him how much we loved him, loved the child and family he left behind and ask him who did this. He brought so much joy to everyone he met, never met a stranger, he and sister in law were trying to have another baby at the time of his murder. A moment of greed tore our family apart.

sunnyside1213 said...

My Dad also died when I was little. I would tell him how much Mother and I loved him.

Moosefan said...

On a comical note-Marilyn Monroe-Girlfriend and I would sit back with a bottle of wine and get the real dirt on the Kennedy's! Could yall HEAR the stories she would have told!

Patty said...

I say ditto to eveyone who wants to bring back one or more of the founding fathers. They were true leaders and had tremendous courage to do what they did.

Maja With a J said...

My dad. Just to chat about a little bit of everything.


Mary, mother of Jesus. What really happened?

Amy in MI said...

Personal: Both my grandmothers. One died of colon cancer when I was 1.5 years old, and the other had a heart attack when I was 13. I miss my mamaw (the one I remember) so much and go and visit her and my papaw's grave every time I go to Tennessee and talk and tell them what's going on.

I would also bring my best friend's dad back, he was like my 2nd dad and he died so quickly (2 weeks after having acute leukemia) and wasn't that old (62). He took the reigns and raised her and her 2 siblings after their mom left deciding she wanted to sow her oats.

Other: Gosh, I would want to bring back Layne Staley for selfish reasons - his music was so awesome..show him what he did to himself w/heroin.

Julie said...

omg i'm already bawling because i was just reading our local news (www.dailylocal.com) and a girl was a victim of murder/suicide, killed by her "boyfriend", and shes the mother of a 3 year old child.
The owner of the restaurant she worked in (Kildares, a huge hotspot in west chester. Bam Margera used to hang out there all the time. Probably still does) offered to pay for the childs expenses until she is in college.
I'm really emotional today so... yeah.

Anyway, as for my answer. My friend Nate was killed back in 1996 rollerblading across the turnpike.
I always feel like I never got to tell him I love him enough, or say goodbye. Almost 15 years later, and I still think of him everyday. I know I have to get over it... I call him my guardian angel because so many things are too coincidental to not have some type of intervention. And I'm not religious whatsoever.
The boy I was dating when he died was his best friend. Whenever I feel low in life or I need something, this kid shows up. Seriously. I'm going on dialysis soon, and he re-introduced someone to me from years ago who has been through the whole kidney disease/failure thing and she has helped me exponentially.
Its hard for me to not believe that Nate had something to do with that.

ok. bawling now. sorry for the long windedness.

califblondy said...

Good luck with everything, Julie.

Personal - my ex MIL, the best woman I have ever known.

General - I gotta go with Jesus, followed by Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe.

HannahPalindrome said...

My paternal grandfather who died when I was a year old.

yourfaceisamess said...

I am def crying from all of your stories. They are amazing. Wow.

Angela said...

Adolf Hitler.
And I would say to him: "Ich werde dich töten, du Schweinhund". And I'll press the trigger.

I've always found that suicide was too sweet a death for him. To be brought from the dead and being killed by a Jew, on the other hand...

lanasyogamama said...

My friend Nell who got killed crossing the street trick or treating at age 11 in 1985.

Unknown said...

My mom.

I'd say, "I'm sorry I was an immature spoiled brat all those times. I love you. Meet your granddaughter."

Angie said...

My grandma, who had cancer. I was too afraid to get on the phone to say goodbye to her and she was too weak to speak. I wish I could've told her how very wonderful she was to me.

ardleighstreet said...

My parents either one. I would give a year off my life to have one more meal with them. Heck, I'd give two yrs if I could get them both.

Other than that I'd like to have met my maternal grandfather. He died before I was born and I have Sooooo many questions about why he had to leave Ireland.

If it could only be a famous person I'd say Jesus or JFK. I have a lot of questions.

Sarah J. MacManus said...

John Lennon.

hotchacha said...

My ex-husband who died suddenly last year (and absurdly too young) after we had fully patched up our friendship. I would love to dance and talk with him, and bounce brilliant new ideas around as only we could.

There's so much to say about how far I've come since he's been gone, how well I've used everything I learned from him, how much better I understand some of what went wrong in our marriage and where he was coming from at the time. I would tell that crazy fool I still miss him every single day.

I'd give just about anything to discover another pair of scrunched up, kicked-off-in-the-middle-of-the-night socks tangled in my bedsheets on linen changing day.

JJ said...

My mom, who died 6 weeks ago. I said everything I wanted to say before she died, but I still need a hug.

Julie, I read that story about the Kildare's woman. Very tragic. My brother took his life last year. I am shocked at all the recent suicides in our area. (I'm in Collegeville.) Did you read about the Norristown woman who shot her boyfriend and then herself? Sad.

Good luck with your dialysis.

kathy said...

Two close friends. To M, who helped me through so much personal and professional stuff with the patience of a saint, I'd say: "I'm sorry I took you for granted." And to G, who died before we could carry out all the plans we made, I'd apologize for being so hard on him towards the end...and then I'd yell at him for not making a will.

Julie said...

JJ and califblondy, thank you very much. <3

JJ, I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I know how it feels to still need a hug from your parent. My biological mother passed away Dec 1, 07, and as the anniversary approaches, and the disease that we share progresses, I am very emotional about it. Her and I were estranged at the point she passed, but she was in a coma, and I went to visit her the night she died. (Actually, apparently she was pronounced 3 minutes after I left, not even out of Crozer's parking lot)

I'm also sorry to hear about your brother. One of my best friends is still recovering from the suicide of her brother (I think he lived in Collegeville, as well. She lives in Phoenixville. I hang out mostly in Phoenixville, though I live in Downingtown) and I can see how hard it is to process. =(

I didn't hear about the Norristown woman, but I remember something about a girl in RoFo and her baby? I am fuzzy about the details, but it was somewhat recent.
I try not to read the local news, or even the philly news but I am friends with the mayor of Downingtown. Also, since I grew up here (well, kind of, delco transplant), to me, its a smaller area than it seems.
I get the Harrisburg/York/Lancaster news as well, I can't avoid the news snippets. it seems like suicides and murders are up there, as well.
So sad.

Cancan said...

Mom.

"I know I was a total fuckup when you were alive and you died thinking you had failed at being my mom, but I got it all together and wish you could see. Check out my awesome husband and son."

Meg said...

Y'all made me cry!!

My Grandmother: I'd tell her I am sorry I didn't spend more time with her when she moved closer to us. I was too self absorbed in my own early 20's life & couldn't handle how bad the dementia had gotten. I was a selfish brat and I'm so sorry. I miss her so much.

iheartjacksparrow said...

Brian Jones (formerly with the Rolling Stones)

Winston Ono said...

I clicked on the to say David Kennedy, and I'd ask him what the hell happened to him, but then I read all of the other responses and they were all so sweet and so sad and now I don't really care about David Kennedy.

Winston Ono said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ice Angel said...

Wow...so much sadness and pain...I greedily want to say my mom, but honestly my brother, who died suddenly at 40 leaving a wife and 2 young kids. They need him back more than I need my mom or dad. I least I got them until I was an adult.

ChasingHeaven said...

JOHN LENNON...and I would be at a loss for words.

shakey said...

I'd bring back my FIL, whom I've never met, so he and my husband could have one more day together. And he could meet our son.

trishsays_ said...

my grandpa... and i would tell him that i love him more than he will ever know. all i really want is another day with him... gone too soon. :(

Caz1310 said...

Jesus..to ask him to tell us the truth. To hear him say "I didn't do that, that didn't happen, why does the Church have millions of dollars of riches hidden, why aren't they helping the poor & needy as I taught"?

My best friend's husband who died unexpectedly at age 33. Not enough time with his family. Would ask him to have a doctor's checkup for the pains in his chest.

Caz1310 said...

Jesus..to ask him to tell us the truth. To hear him say "I didn't do that, that didn't happen, why does the Church have millions of dollars of riches hidden, why aren't they helping the poor & needy as I taught"?

My best friend's husband who died unexpectedly at age 33. Not enough time with his family. Would ask him to have a doctor's checkup for the pains in his chest.

strawberrygirl said...

This girl I had known since the age of six jumped off the golden gate bridge about six months ago. We were never great friends in school, but she was truly one of the kindest souls. She was sweet to every single person she met, unfortunately she was her own worst enemy. She had fought depression for a long time, I believe. She was 25 years old. I would bring her back to tell her there are so many people in this world that love you and would do anything for you, including me. I still think about her every day, and it truly hurts my heart to think of how excruciating the pain she must have been feeling to feel like that was her only option.

Merlin D. Bear said...

My sister - only to tell her not to dare that SOB with the goddamn gun.

Angela said...

My uncle so he and his boyfriend could enjoy one day out and proud !!

crichmond1000 said...

My sister, because we weren't finished yet.

http://nolamotion.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/cayne-miceli-rip/

Renika said...

This actually makes me smile guys! I haven't posted on here in a while but I had to come out of lurking for this one.

Personal: My Dad. Because we lost him too soon, before they came out with the better AIDS meds. I'd take him to my mom, then my sister, then her kids and I'd let him see the great guy she married. Then I'd ask him what he thought of these cell phones and flat screen TV's and all this technology. And I'd take him to the son he never knew he had so he could meet his other grandson. And I'd beg him not to leave again.

Otherwise: I'd definitely want to talk to Jesus so I could finally know the truth about Him.

Other-otheriwse...Marvin Gaye. So I could explain to him how he picked the wrong younger woman and all he had to do was give me another ten years!!

Unknown said...

My friend of 10 years who died in the Victorian bushfires a year and a half ago.

I never told him how much i loved him and how he made me and other people so lucky with just knowing him.

And i am sorry i wasnt there when i said i would and i might have been able to do something to save him.

I will carry that with me for the rest of my life.

MaryMQC said...

My stepmother died in a car accident 6 years ago. Her Ford Explorer's tire was popped by a broken reflector on the road, causing her to lose control and the vehicle to flip end-to-end twice and roll over 3 times. During this, despite her wearing a seat belt, my stepmother was ejected through the front windshield and subsequently rolled over by the Explorer. The EMTs on the scene were very confident that she died sometime during the accident, judging by her condition when they arrived on the scene. My 7-year-old brother Noah was in the backseat, and was saved by two motorists who happened upon the wreckage a few minutes later. Less than 60 seconds after freeing him from the vehicle, the wreckage caught fire. Sitting in the hospital with Noah later that evening, he turned to me and told me that after the vehicle came to a stop, "my mom told me everything was okay and that I was going to be safe". That was the only time he ever said that, and I don't even know if he remembers telling me.

I was 19 at the time, and had known Rachel (my stepmother) since I was 6. We had a very rocky relationship through the years, as we were very similar (ambitious control freaks), yet had a lot of trouble seeing eye to eye. I spent most of these years convinced that I hated her and wished she didn't exist. Then, after she died, I spent a lot of time examining our relationship.

I've never regretted anything more than I regret not maturing enough to see her in a different light. My stepmother loved me. She sacrificed so much for my older brother and I, who were not her own children. She came to every school play, made sure I had summer activities to participate in, practiced my drama class monologues with me endlessly. The summer I went away to camp, I received a letter from her every single day, including the first one, which meant she had sent it to me before I even left. When I was 12 and had to testify on the stand against a man who sexually abused me, his defense lawyers subpoenaed every member of my family so that none of them could support me in the courtroom when I took the stand. My stepmother sat in the courtroom the entire time, her eyes trained on mine, willing me to be strong and reminding me to breathe as I broke down. Later that afternoon, as we sat alone in the prosecutor's office, she admitted to me that she had been molested as a girl by a family member, and that I was the first person she had ever told. She told me that she wished she had had my strength, and that I was the bravest person she knew.

It destroys me that I lost her before I could accept how much I really cared. I would give anything just to be able to tell her I love her.

sunnyside1213 said...

Em Que Em, that is a tragic story and my heart goes out to you. I am sure your stepmother knows how you feel.

awesome balla. said...

@em cue em: what a powerful story. all that matters is that you have had the foresight to recognize her love for you now, even if it was too late before her death. it's obvious that this woman, although not in your life nearly long enough, has had and will have a permanent affect on you. hopefully this relationship has affected how you will treat others the rest of your life.

thank you for sharing.

RocketQueen said...

Oh Em Cue Em - that is such a wonderful tribute to her! Hugs!

R. said...

My mother and her father.
I wouldn't talk so much as LISTEN, the way I should have when I had the chance.

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