Ray Bradbury Day, after day, after glorious day, I was falling in love with books, Beloved novelist Ray Bradbury was known for his work fantasy and science fiction work. The last article he ever wrote, however, was about libraries and how much of an impact his own library growing up in Waukegan, Illinois was to him. He wrote:
“Looking back now on all those years, to when I first discovered books at the library, I see that I was simply falling in love. Day, after day, after glorious day, I was falling in love with books.”
Ray Bradbury + Day, after day, after glorious day, I was falling in love with books
People’s last words can be funny, poignant or somewhat nonsensical. Either way, they are often the way in which a person is remembered. As the living, we look to last words in an effort to glen some of our own personal meaning. What can we learn from someone who is close to the end of life? Some of the best last words of all time are:
“Is it not meningitis?” – Louisa M. Alcott, writer, d. 1888
“Waiting are they? Waiting are they? Well–let ‘em wait.” (In response to an attending doctor who attempted to comfort him by saying, “General, I fear the angels are waiting for you.”) – Ethan Allen, American Revolutionary general, d. 1789
“Am I dying or is this my birthday?” (When she woke briefly during her last illness and found all her family around her bedside.) – Lady Nancy Astor, d. 1964
“Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him.” – John Barrymore, actor, d. May 29, 1942
“Now comes the mystery.” – Henry Ward Beecher, evangelist, d. March 8, 1887
“Friends applaud, the comedy is finished.” – Ludwig van Beethoven, composer, d. March 26, 1827
“You be good. See you tomorrow. I love you.” Spoken by Alex, an African Grey Parrot used in comparative psychology research at Brandeis University.
“To the strongest!” Spoken by Alexander the Great.
