If you ever watched the Pixar movie “Coco,” you’ll probably notice the title as one of the most heartwarming soundtracks. For those who haven’t watched it, basically the main character of the movie, a twelve-year-old Miguel, accidently enters the Land of the Dead (at the Day of the Dead) and while trying to come back to the real world, he discovers the missing pieces to his family history. The movie was a huge hit as it touched so many souls, especially to those who had experienced loss of their loved ones.
 
Though there are tons of movies that deal with afterlife, in Coco, the idea that the deceased eventually disappears into thin air when there’s no one left to remember him/her (so-called “the Final Death”) really added such emotional depth. The movie delivers the message that having someone to remember you after you’re gone and cherishing those priceless memories, is all that really matters.
 
The reason I brought up the movie Coco, which was even released two years ago, is because I too had recently experienced the loss of a good friend and a mentor of mine.
So during the moments of looking back at the special moments shared together, the movie Coco and the song “Remember Me” reminded me of the important life lessons. The song goes like this:
 
“Remember me. Though I have to say goodbye. Remember me. Don’t let it make you cry. For even if I’m far away I hold you in my heart. I sing a secret song to you each night we are apart. Remember me. Though I have to travel far. Remember me. Each time you hear a sad guitar. Know that I’m with you the only way that I can be. Until you’re in my arms again. Remember me.”
 
Though some might view these lyrics as common and cliché words of sad farewell songs, personally the repetition of “Remember me” resonated so much to me, as if the dear person was constantly trying to tell me to simply remember him and continue to live on my life. It feels like along with death, there is always some guilt and a sense of fragility of life, as we know we can’t turn back time or fix anything. But after going through restless days and constantly pressing the replay buttons of the memories, a passing thought of the movie Coco and the song “Remember Me” was a significant reminder that I could actually do something, by commemorating him and sharing his virtues. It came to me as sort of a relief and a comfort that things will eventually be okay and that it was time to move on.
 
After pushing aside the negative energy and embracing reality, the feeling of gratefulness took down the sadness. Grateful for encountering someone significant in life, having precious memories that constantly live on in me, and learning important values that make me a better person.
 
To come to think of it, it’s actually a tremendous gift to be able to treasure good or bad memories of someone you care. It is easy for us to take our friends, families and sometimes random moments in life for granted. But it’s when death comes near, we then realize what’s truly important in life. The people who think of you and care for you, whether they might be your families, friends, or teachers, are what makes us living. Try to remember your significant ones and the stories you’ve built together when dealing with grief. Like the song, just know that your loved ones are always with you and even if they are far away, they will hold you in their heart.
As the English novelist George Eliot said, “Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.” Do remember them.
저작권자 © Ewha Voice 무단전재 및 재배포 금지