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.
{ 10 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
Ciaran….Imagine you lost one of your children!??! Would you want people to remember then always? Would you vow to make sure poeple knew about this child even though they are gone? I lost a son in 2007…he was only 17 years old. He is gone and I’ll make sure he is not forgotten. I have a memorial sticker on my race car and all that see it ask who was Steven and how did he die. I then get a chance to share with him what a beautiful child he was and how amazing and talented he was. I guess you would never understand cause you have never lost someone significant in your life….I mean SIGNIFICANT. We all love grandparents and that is the normal order….But to lose a child is Horrific. memorializing him is the least I can do?!?!
Rob
“Steven Michael Lastiri - Always in our hearts Son”
I’m so sorry for you loss Rob.
I agree with you Rob!! I too have lost a son. He was 8 months old, and i feel the same way you do. I also want to make sure he is not forgotten. My daughter was only 3 when he passed and i will do what it takes to help her remember her brother! I not only have a memorial decal, i also have a tattoo of his last hand print on my heart! If anyone has a problem with my car decal, then pass me or turn the other way, because I will not remove it.
We’ve lost a son to cancer, and not one person in our family needs a cheap, ticky-tacky fad decal to be viewed by thousands of total strangers in order for us “not to forget” him! Just another stupid gimmick for someone to make money.
I agree with jl, those decals are tacky and are typically displayed by people with no class whatsoever. I have yet to see one for a child. Most I have seen here in Virgina are for pets and grand parents. Sorry for your loss people but really, everyone driving around you has lost someone in their past and you don’t see them sticking crap on their vehicle for attention. The only thing that tops these decals are the confederate flag stickers usually displayed beneath them.