DEAR ABBY: I am in my mid-50s and recently married a wonderful man after dating him for four years. He is a widower. Years ago, he purchased a gravesite marker with his name and birthdate, as well as his late wife's name and dates, and "Together Forever" inscribed on it. I should mention that they were married for 25 years and had a child together.
In preplanning my own funeral, we have decided that I will be cremated and my urn will rest in his plot. I will have a marker of my own a little lower on the plot than his, right above my urn.
I'm considering having "The Rest of the Story" placed on my marker as a humorous comment. Plus, it makes me feel included in his life -- and death. Other sayings come to mind, but this one felt just right.
Do you or your readers have any suggestions as to how to handle the trio of bodies and marker sayings? I want to be with him forever, and I respect that his late wife felt the same way. Sign me ... LIFE IS JUST BEGINNING
DEAR JUST BEGINNING: You could also inscribe it, "... and Ever," or, "Hopefully, The Last Chapter," in case you predecease him. However, before investing in a marker with a humorous inscription, you'd be wise to see how your husband's "child" feels about it -- since that's the person who will probably be reading it.