RHETORIC 2019 | Jasmine Sims - "Ashes & Monuments"

Summary

This poignant speech recounts the raw emotions of losing a father, who was also a pastor, to death. It explores the struggle with grief, the importance of faith, and the lasting impact of his legacy. The speaker reflects on their relationship, the father's unwavering devotion to God, and the community's response to his passing. It's a tribute that encapsulates love, loss, and the enduring spirit of a man who left an indelible mark on his family and congregation.

Takeaways

• 💔 The speaker is grappling with the loss of a loved one, likely a father, and the profound impact it has had on her and her family.
• 📣 The narrative conveys the struggle to communicate with a dying person, emphasizing the difficulty of giving permission to let go.
• ☕ The speaker's daily routine has been altered by the need to reassure her dying father that it's okay to pass away, highlighting the emotional burden.
• 🙏 There's a strong emphasis on faith and the role it plays in coping with loss, with the speaker reflecting on her father's religious teachings and practices.
• 👰 The speaker regrets not spending more time with her father and the missed opportunities they had, wishing for a 'return policy on wasted minutes'.
• 👨‍👧 The father's role as a bridge between the speaker and her faith is highlighted, showing the personal and spiritual guidance he provided.
• 🌹 The speaker describes the beauty and pain of her father's funeral, contrasting the vibrant flowers with the stark reality of death and loss.
• 😢 The poem captures the raw emotions of grief, including fear, regret, and the physical manifestations of carrying the weight of loss.
• 👗 The speaker shares a personal anecdote about choosing a dress for the funeral, reflecting her father's influence on her style and values.
• 👪 The legacy of the father is discussed, with the speaker committed to honoring his memory and the impact he had on others, including her own children.
• 🙌 The speaker's mother's unwavering faith is highlighted as a source of strength and an example of how to accept and navigate grief with grace.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the transcript?

The main theme of the transcript is the deep emotional experience of loss and grief following the death of a father, and the process of coming to terms with it while honoring his memory and legacy.

What is the significance of the feather and blade mentioned in the script?

The feather and blade are metaphors used to describe the speaker's mother's words. The feather symbolizes gentleness and comfort, while the blade represents the painful truth that ultimately led to the family's shattering.

Why does the speaker feel the need to tell their father it's okay to leave?

The speaker tells their father it's okay to leave as a way to provide permission and comfort, acknowledging the father's struggle and the family's pain, and to ease his transition.

What role did the father play in the speaker's faith?

The father served as a bridge between the speaker and their faith, helping the speaker to get closer to God, and was a devout and loving figure in the speaker's life.

How does the speaker express their regret over wasted time with their father?

The speaker expresses regret by wishing for a return policy on wasted minutes, indicating a desire to have spent more quality time with their father before his passing.

What does the speaker remember about their father's last moments?

The speaker recalls the father's body being placed in a black bag, the sound of the zipper, and the image of him being wheeled away on a gurney, which continues to haunt them.

What was the father's attitude towards his own death according to the script?

The father's attitude towards his own death was one of readiness and peace, as indicated by the speaker's account of his last conversation about being prepared for Jesus' return.

How did the father's congregation react to his death?

The father's congregation was deeply affected by his death, with the speaker describing the church as 'crushed' and making an idol out of the father, despite his wishes to the contrary.

What did the speaker's mother say about the reason for the father's death?

The speaker's mother expressed that she did not know why such a thing happened but stated that they are servants of God and must accept whatever He allows, suggesting a belief in divine will.

How does the speaker plan to honor their father's legacy?

The speaker intends to honor their father's legacy by continuing to live in a way that reflects his values and teachings, and by ensuring that his memory and impact are passed on to future generations.

What is the significance of the applause mentioned at the beginning and end of the transcript?

The applause signifies the speaker's recognition and appreciation from an audience, possibly at a memorial service or public speaking event, where they shared their personal experience and tribute to their father.