Aggie Muster: A TAMU Tradition

 

 

Every year on April 21, the student body, former students and the families of fallen Aggies gather in solemn assembly to call the names of former and current students who have passed away.  This enduring tradition strengthens the community and certainly is a bedrock of the famous “Aggie Spirit.” 

In their own words:

Muster is a time to look to the past, present, and future…not only to grieve but to reflect and to celebrate the lives that connect us to one another. A gesture so simple in nature yet so lasting in spirit, Muster is the lasting impression every Aggie leaves with us; it reminds us…that every Aggie has a place of importance – whether they are present in flesh or spirit. * http://muster.tamu.edu/history

This exercise provides a way to remember the  legacy of those who have died—a practice from which we all could benefit, T-sippers included.  The ingredients of such a gathering include:

* A set date and time (Aggies use the Texas Day of Independence, but a Great-grandparent’s anniversary, Memorial Day or other special day could work as well.)

* Invitees should be aware that this “Muster Roll Call” will honor loved ones—and be prepared to share how their lives were impacted by the life or lives remembered.

*  Preparations could include memorabilia from former times together.

*   Refreshments or a meal should follow the roll call, where participants can enjoy telling stories and reminiscing over their loved ones’ lives.

As our population continues to age, a Roll Call enables our communities to collectively honor and remember those from among our ranks who have died by celebrating their continued legacy.  In addition, such a gathering offers another avenue of healing for friends and family.  

Consider other ways to honor those you love at www.MyGoodbye.com 

Fiscal verses Physical Responsibility

A MyGoodbye.com Legacy Plan allows you to cover your bases without alot of drama

A 29 year old internet executive recently commented he had bought his first serious life insurance.  “Why” I asked, “Are you planning on kicking the bucket soon?”  Surprised, he quickly retorted “Of course not, but if something should happen, I want to make sure my wife and daughter are taken care of.” 

Our society puts a high premium on financial planning in the event that the unexpected happens.  In fact, individuals spent 4.067 trillion dollars in 2009 a year to pay for life insurance coverage that they hope with all their hearts is not needed.  That’s nearly 9% of the total goods and services produced in industrialized nations to buy something you really are not planning, or even desiring to put to use. 

While we commend the purchasing of life insurance as fiscal responsibility, the pre-planning of what, how and where our remains are dealt with in the event that the unexpected happens is considered morbid and presumptuous. 

Most of us have a better end of life plan for our bank accounts than our own bodies. 

Certainly a wife is spared grief if her husband has covered the bases on their finances, but she can suffer tremendous anguish trying to determine decisions regarding burial/cremation/cemetery when such topics have never been discussed.

Does she choose the family plot in another state or purchase one nearby?  Who would he have preferred to be pall bearers?  Did he have strong feelings for or against cremation?  Are there childhood friends or business associates who should be notified?  Would he want her to spend the $15,000 the funeral director insists is appropriate to properly acknowledge his place in society? 

What if there were a convenient resource and planning tool which could insure that should the unexpected happen, the bases were covered for all your end of life needs?  A website that could guide you through what decisions and plans are needed, and allowed you to store that information in a way that it could be accessed 24-7 from any place in the world?  What if it allowed you to store the words you would want to say if it were your last goodbye?

For the small investment of a few hours, the return is exponential.  You are protecting your loved ones from facing the unexpected unprepared, insuring peace of mind and a plan in the midst of heartache. But most importantly, you are insuring that saying your final goodbye will be with the same care and forethought as you said “I do.”

For a fraction of the cost of a month’s insurance premium, MyGoodbye.com provides you with  lifetime protection that your end of life needs are addressed as you would want them to be, extending comfort and provision for those you love beyond your last breath

How do you provide a guide for your grieving family?  Bravo, MyGoodbye.  There to carry them through when you can’t be.  

Shirley Walker is the President of www.MyGoodbye.com, offering a fresh, living way to deal with dying.