The Eulogy of Madeline Hartley Royalty:

    

         Madeline Hartley Royalty was born on September 22, 1996 in Flint Michigan. She was a dreamer, a song bird, and a true daughter of God. Madeline grew up in the small town of Linden Michigan. Her household as a child consisted of her two loving parents and her older brother. She was a country girl at heart! She delighted in the outdoors as a child and had a wondrous love of nature throughout her life.  She loved to play pretend. She and Her brother would adventure around their families 12 acres of  land pretending that they were Indians and letting their imaginations run wild.  As a result she developed a vivid imagination at a young age. She resided in Linden until she was about 10 years old.  In the summer of 2007,  her family moved to Texas where her father had obtained job in the oil industry. Once in Texas she remained there for the next 8 years of her life. She was homeschooled by her mother most of her life. She studied at home till her junior year of high-school when she started attending college classes.  As a homeschooler she was kept to herself a great deal and developed an introverted personality. Her time at home, however, also helped to nurture her creative mind. Some of her favorite hobbies growing up consisted of: reading, painting, sewing, crocheting, playing the ukulele/guitar/piano, singing, and writing songs. She was always encouraged to use her imagination to the fullest! One of her life mottos was “you can teach someone to memorize facts, but you can’t teach creativity”. She lived up to this motto throughout her life by striving to utilize her imagination in every situation she faced
           After she graduated high school, in 2014, Madeline moved to Oklahoma and attended Oral Roberts University. There she studied graphic design, film, video and all other aspects of media. Her one dream in life was always simply this: to make beautiful things.  While studying at ORU her creativity blossomed like never before. On top of her academic studies she was a part of the schools worship band, and led worship at her university every week. Her love of singing was another facet of her life that always would follow her. Her voice was admired by all who heard her, and she used it inspire people.  After college she moved back to Texas to be close to her family. It was then that she was married to her true love!  She and her husband (who was a gifted musician) traveled around the country playing music together. He wrote the music, she wrote the lyrics, and they sang in perfect harmony! They played only small venues and churches, but wherever they went they were loved by many. Soon the traveling couple settled down as the pastors of a small church.  At her church Madeline double tasked as the church’s worship leader, media person, and pastor’s wife.  She moved from that church to two other churches before she and her husband retired.  She continued to make videos, graphics, and music  on the side while she was a pastor’s wife and used her mind to the fullest! She was the mother of two children. Her first child was a boy named Edmund, and her second a girl named February. She raised her children with the same emphasis on creativity that her mother used in raising her. She encouraged them to dream, create, and imagine for themselves. Her parenting philosophy was that she was not raising children, she was raising adults. Her main goal was for her children to be independent, well rounded, and intelligent human beings. And she wanted most of all for her children to have their own personal relationship with Jesus.  After retirement she and her husband moved to Ludington Michigan. There they lived in a cozy cottage by the sea. She spent her days doing all the things she loved most. She was free to paint, draw, sing, and create to her very heart’s content. Her grandchildren visited her often and she spent the rest of her life as just your average kooky grandmother!

          Some would say that Madeline Royalty didn’t accomplish much throughout her life, but she felt differently. She felt that her greatest accomplishment was simply in maintaining her relationship with her Father (God). She also delighted in the thought that she helped at least one person find the truth of Jesus Christ, and that throughout her life she had created many beautiful things to leave behind. Knowing these things she could leave the world confident that she had indeed made a difference. What the people she left behind will remember about Madeline is her passion for whatever she put her mind to, Her loyalty to those around her, Her weirdness, her unique view of the world, her voice, her songs, her creative mind and her loving heart. They will all miss her hugs, and her comforting words but they will carry her memory in their hearts forever. 

Note from the Author: The above is my very own eulogy. I realized a lot about myself while I was writing this. I discovered who it is I really want to be remembered as, and what I really want my life to mean. It was a truly eye opening experience. Just know that the above is not the complete truth. I am of course not actually dead, or even married yet, but the things I wrote are the true wishes of my heart so don't read them lightly. After reading this eulogy you have read me. You know who I am.... 

Funeral History:

My father and I paid a visit to the National Museum of Funeral History. Despite the dismal impression associated with the name of this museum, it was actually an immensely enjoyable place to visit. My dad and I spent about 3 hours there and we had a lot of fun. I highly suggest this museum to all! For a small idea of what you can expect if you were to visit this museum following is a quick overview of the exhibits this museum has to offer. 

The Hall of Hearses:

                This cart was used for early railroad transportation of coffins . 

The Presidential Hearse...

This is the actual hearse that carried Princess Grace Kelly's body!!!!

                                                

                               
                              
                                                The History of Embalming:

 This is a look at a 19th century embalming room. 

                                                           Interesting Caskets: 
                                            

 Snow White's casket. 

Ever wondered about the origin of calling someone a "basket case?"  Well here it is! The original basket case! During the Civil War soldiers with amputated legs were carried around in baskets and called "basket cases." Additionally those deceased were carried from their place of death in wicker baskets such as this one. Maybe  now you'll think twice before you label someone a "basket case"

Here is a set of funky caskets designed by a special artist. These caskets just show how much things have changed throughout the history of funerals. 

The Pope 

This special exhibit was dedicated to the Pope. It contained amazingly elaborate sets! I felt like I was walking through a monastery with the winding halls and haunting choral music throughout the exhibit. I also learned a lot about the pope that I had never before considered. 

                                    Random Fun Finds ^-^:

Creepy....

I learn a lot about the history of Funerals by exploring the museum, and the experience brought to my mind one thought: everyone dies eventually. Although this is quite a mournful thought,  it is one of the basic facts of life. Death is inevitable, and because all people die, all people must therefore be buried, thus funerals were invented. For as long as the concept of death has existed, some form of funerals has been preformed.  It is surprising however, that the event we now picture as a funeral is relatively new.   In about the 1800’s today’s concept of funerals started to take shape. People began opening shops selling custom caskets, and funeral homes came into being. For those that could not afford a funeral home, funerals of loved ones were held right in their own homes. The process of Embalming also became popular during this time, and was even used on the battle field during the American Civil war.  A book was also published during this time that defined when someone was really dead, and described the symptoms of death. Hearses used to transport bodies at this time, were horse drawn carriages, and when bodies needed to be transported long distances, casket carrying carts were attached to train cars for transportation by railway. The body of President Abraham Lincoln was the first president’s body to be transported by train, and his transportation across the U.S. created one of the longest funeral processions in history.   Funerals have come a long way over the last hundred years.  Horse drawn hearses have long since been replaced by sleek black automobiles, and funerals have taken on many new modern aspects. But despite the way funerals have changed over the years they are, and always will be memorials to the memory of those we love. 

After my visit  to the museum I really started thinking about my own Funeral. Life is unpredictable and you never know what tomorrow will hold. I decided that it would be a good idea to make an end of life plan for myself . I started by asking myself some hard Questions like: where do I want to be buried? Do I want to be cremated? Would I like an open or closed casket funeral? Do I want to be put on life support?  I have never before realized all the important decisions that have to be made before I die. After considering my options I answered the questions one by one. Firstly, I would like to be buried in my families burial plot. My dad's side of the family the Royalties, have a section of a graveyard in Lake Jackson Texas. Both my grandparents and great grandparents are buried there and I would like to be as well.  I would  also like for my body to be in a casket and put into the ground. The idea of cremation makes me cringe, but I also don't want an open casket. I don't want my family to see me all pale and dead. To me, there is no point in living people viewing the dead. Also, I wouldn't like my friends and family to see me looking so pale and lifeless.  I believe that once I am dead my body means nothing, I believe that my spirit will join Jesus in heaven. One of the hardest decisions to make is whether or not I want to be put on life support, and I have decided that I don't want to be. It is human nature to attempt to keep people alive as long as possible, but  for me I don't think that life support is really living. If I am sick enough to die, then I want to die. I know that might sound morbid but that is the way I feel. I know that life is fleeting and that everyday is a gift. All I want is to simply live my life while I can and when it's time for me to head home to heaven, I'm ready to get up and go! 

The END.