During the final episode and final scene of Desperate Housewives (see video) we see Mrs McClusky lying in her death bed, which in itself is emotive as the actress who plays this role, died of cancer, for real, just a couple of weeks ago. So what we are seeing is really a woman who is dying and she knows it. That realization gave depth to this final scene which has prompted me to write this entry.
Her devoted partner plays on heavy rotation her favorite song from her youth “Wonderful, Wonderful” by Johnny Mathis as you see the rest of the characters in their stories being played out simultaneously a birth, a marriage, a celebration and a death. You then see the consolidation of the stories of the main characters as they move forward in their lives. As one of the ladies (Susan) drives off into the direction of her new life in another state, another profound moment where you see characters of past who have died standing alongside the lane watching her drive off and the narrator speaks and says:
“The ghosts of the people who lived on Wisteria Lane gazed upon her as she drove past. They watched her as they watched everyone, always hoping the living could learn to put aside rage, sorrow, bitterness and regret. These ghosts watch wanting people to remember that even the most desperate life, is oh so wonderful.”
This reminded me of the book “Top Five Regrets of the Dying” which was written by a nurse who recorded the most common regrets.
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
What would your biggest regret be if this was your last day of life?
I was in a gift shop at Marylebone station in London and was browsing greeting cards and came across the Deadly Donkey. What he teaches us is that you must live your life, in the way that is right for you – this is your life and yours alone to live. Live it fearlessly – death comes to all of us, but not all of us choose to live. Live. Laugh. Love. It’s all so wonderful don’t you think?
