I’ve got a bit of a pet peeve brewing. It has to do with those “In Loving Memory” Stickers that have been popping up on autos all over the Southland. The other day I saw a “In Loving Memory of Johnny” sticker on a beat up civic. Right below that decal, on the very same rear windshield, was one that said “It’s all about ME!”
So which was it? Me? Or Johnny?
I don’t even get the memorial stickers in the first place. Why on the car? Why not on a tee shirt or a backpack or your front door? How about beer cosy? Cause Johnny… liked beer?
I’ve gone so far as to wonder:
1. Did Johnny die in the car?
2. Was Johnny hit by the car?
3. Is the car now a shrine to Johnny? Is there other Johnny memorabilia inside?
4. Perhaps the life insurance money that was collected upon Johnny’s death, paid for the car?*
*This would possibly explain the “All about ME!” sticker alongside the memorial one. Johnny’s kicked the bucket and paid for my car. Now it’s all about ME! So long Johnny and thanks for the car!
I suppose this is rather insensitive but there is a lesson in all of this. Make yourself clear. If your message is as muddled as a vinyl memorial sticker on the back of an old Honda, you’ve got problems. Johnny may be 6 ft under but make sure your message isn’t. Make sure that you are spreading that message in the right places, to the right people, and with clarity.
Because if you don’t? I just might make fun of you!
PS to the people I love: Please don’t ever put a vinyl sticker on a car for me. You can do better than that.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
So funny. I can relate, it seems that everytime I go to Wal-Mart (I’m obsessed with Sam Walton) I see those stickers on the windows of trucks. It’s quite morbid. And, it’s odd that I only see those stickers on the windows of pick up trucks…what’s that about? Since Johnny has a memorial of him on an automobile window for everyone to see, does that make him famous now?
you kidding me? Luckily that has not yet caught on here with your friends in Canada!
Yeah… but think of all the fabulous labels Mabel’s could make for cars if it did catch on! I’m seeing “Johnny” in a pretty font, some colors and flowers, or maybe a puppy. Call it the MOL line. Memorial Out Loud!
These bug me too! Actually anything that has an “In memory” “RIP” anywhere, other than a tombstone, is so odd to me.
But to each their own.
I agree, please don’t do that fam…you can buy me a bench by the ocean or plant a tree for me and put a cool plaque on either. That would be ok.
I’m so with you on this. It is such an odd thing to do, although most of the time the driver tends to be on the very young side. So I’ll assume they will out grow this morbid memorial tradition. At least I hope