Ophelia's Eulogy

Dearest Ophelia

Not only today, but forever ... may we remember and honor Ophelia's life. Her death is not important and as valuable as the life she lived. A daughter and sister first, friend and acquaintance second. She was survived by a loyal man, Polonius. And a sister to Laertes. Like her father, she put her father and brother's needs and expectations first. Ophelia lived to make her father and brother happy with her decisions,  and everybody else.

Yes, we were alarmed and astonished by her tragic death... but we cannot judge for we were not Ophelia. We appreciate her life more now that she has passed because of the change it has brought upon us. Her story should be revealed by the way she lived, not how she died. When someone you love passes away, there is a strong temptation to remember them perhaps a little too well. Misdeeds are forgotten. Offenses are forgiven. Only the most shining characteristics of our loved one make it into the version of them that we keep when they depart. Ophelia's only mistake that she forgot to take care of herself. Ophelia's world collapsed when her father passed, Laertes was away, and Hamlet betrayed her. She did not have a mother figure to turn to, especially when she was raised by her father and had support of her brother. 

The best thing that she has left behind for us is her example. Most people who knew her would be surprised to learn that she struggled with internal conflict.  Around family, she felt obligated to do everything and anything for anyone she loved. But even with all of her challenges, she faced the world with unparalleled hope and optimism. Her passion of loving and pleasing everybody drove her to insanity. Because it's hard to love, and please people when you cannot love yourself first.

Unfortunately, her stress toppled the situations she could not handle. Before any other tragedy can happen... it is better that Ophelia is at rest now with her father. I look to Ophelia as an inspiration for a strong woman. All the weight she carried, made her relentless and tenacious. I would want to be Ophelia, in the sense of being able to make the people around me proud and appreciative of what I've done for myself and for others.  At the end, she could not lean on anyone and was not knowledgeable to handle it herself. Out of all she's been through, something still beautiful remains... and that is the memory of kindness.