Like many of you, April 21st 2016 was not only one of the hardest days to deal with but also the feeling as if a part of you was now missing. I do not like death and while I've had my fair share of it in my life rarely deal with it well. Depeche Mode sang 'I don't want to start any blasphemous rumors but I think that God's got a sick sense of humor and when I die, I expect to see him laughing." In my own way, I think it's a cruel stage in life. While I'm a Christian and believe in heaven and hell, I don't believe my heaven will be the same as the next person. So to the point of this topic. Last night my wife gave me a shirt and she had a matching one as well.

Beautiful Prince symbol with the names of many songs but underneath the symbol it has something to the effect of "legend 1958-2016." I can't bring myself to have anything that closes the Prince chapter on it. I was honest with my wife and while it upset her, I felt I did a decent job of explaining that I'm not ready for something that says it ended in 2016 nor do I believe that I would ever be able to wear it. I know she was hurt and I appreciate the sentiment but I'm asking you all, would you have done the same? Would you have accepted the gift and said that you would wear it one day or be open about your feelings on death and admit that while it was the thought that counts, you just can't accept it?

I UNDERSTAND your feelings but tell her how wonderful it is, and to give u some time before u can wear it. u realize u r going to have to deal with his death and face that he is gone. its hurting me to type this i miss him to, but prince would not want u to stop in your tracks. he wants u to move on i believe. wear it soon it will help. just saying

i believe u should wear it soon and tell your mate how wonderful it is. it hurts me to, but prince would want u to move, on not stay in place. just saying

It's a lovely gesture on the part of your wife.

That said, I'm with the OP. I wouldn't want to wear Prince's tombstone on my chest either. I'll still happily rock the though.

I see that's not a simple answer for only me. I think Noodled 24 said it best in that it feels like a tombstone of sorts. For the record I did let her know how thoughtful she was and I have shirts from every tour and concert posters framed around the house so his presence is there. Considering I've been on the Org since the mid 90's you would think that I would know how to post a picture but do you know how before your wedding, you have a rehearsal dinner? There's a grooms cake which usually symbolizes what the groom is all about. For many, it's sports related, mine was a great "symbol" cake. Not a cake with the symbol drawn in icing but the cake was custom baked into the Prince symbol. Pretty cool! Maybe one day, I'll post it.

I totally get it because I have a hard time seeing it also. I prefer 1958 - ∞ (the infinity symbol) because his physical form may be gone but his spirit will be with us ALWAYS.

As for the shirts, give your wife a hug and tell her you appreciate her and go buy you both new shirts that you'll happily wear.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I totally get it because I have a hard time seeing it also. I prefer 1958 - ∞ (the infinity symbol) because his physical form may be gone but his spirit will be with us ALWAYS.

As for the shirts, give your wife a hug and tell her you appreciate her and go buy you both new shirts that you'll happily wear.

Yes I agree with you completely. I hate seeing "1958-2016". It just offends me every time I see it and it's just wrong because I feel that Prince will live forever, through his music at least. I know it's normal for them to print that, but it hurts and angers me every time.

FunkiestOne said:

Yes I agree with you completely. I hate seeing "1958-2016". It just offends me every time I see it and it's just wrong because I feel that Prince will live forever, through his music at least. I know it's normal for them to print that, but it hurts and angers me every time.

when I see it it makes it very definitive to me. I know it is definitive, but I'd rather no think about it.

wishuhvn said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I totally get it because I have a hard time seeing it also. I prefer 1958 - ∞ (the infinity symbol) because his physical form may be gone but his spirit will be with us ALWAYS.

As for the shirts, give your wife a hug and tell her you appreciate her and go buy you both new shirts that you'll happily wear.

The infinity symbol - that is a much better idea. I agree though, I also cannot deal with the dates on things, which is why the two tribute magazines I brought are stuffed in the back of the cupboards unread coz I cannot see the dates on it - seeing those dates make it seem too final to me. I think it was a lovely gesture of his wife though, and everyone is different - but for me - I couldnt wear it either.

"I totally get it because I have a hard time seeing it also. I prefer 1958 - ∞ (the infinity symbol) because his physical form may be gone but his spirit will be with us ALWAYS. "

YES. YES. YES. I can't bare to look at the dates either. Glad I'm not the only one. Thanks Friends! Big hugs, peace , love and healing.

While I get it cause I didn't buy a tshirt for that same reason. I may get one with 1958-infinity. Don't let this become a big issue in your marriage. I went to a funeral where the minister said the date of birth and date of death are irrelevant because we came to celebrate the dash.

Just make sure she knows how much you appreciate the shirt and most importantly her. Be very greatful your spouse gets your love of Prince.

I can see it in the future once my feelings catch up and my brain allows me to comprehend - there is no end to Prince. He is here with us: in memories, on this forum, in song, in thought, in heart and in spirit. It's wonderful to know he is here in some way, shape or form. I can function knowing that or eventually coming to accept that and only that. We can keep Prince alive through enjoyment of his music, discussion, etc. I truly believe Prince is the type of person that had no end. He was from another world. One day I'lll accept this. Until then, I agree seeing begining and end dates leaves nothing but addtional lumps in my throat, denial, disbelief and all the awful feelings that came and will always arise with the news and/or mention of 4/21/16. Once I'm ready, I would don the shirt. It's a sweet sentiment.

[Edited 5/25/16 15:59pm]

tish9311 said:

. I went to a funeral where the minister said the date of birth and date of death are irrelevant because we came to celebrate the dash.

That is beautiful !!!!!

the birth/death date makes me immediately burst into tears.

and fwiw, it's like collectively... the culture has this rote thing that happens when someone passes and i can't stomach it in relation to Prince.

i hate that it has 'entertainment/click' value and it makes me queasy.

Makes me realize the cover of Come is now very... odd with the 1958-1993 mention.

If/when the album is rereleased it's gonna confuse a lot of people who won't necessarily know about the name change back then.

I know....I refuse to buy the tribute mags at the store.

Especially with all the drug BS! I refuse to fill thier pocket books.

wishuhvn said:

Like many of you, April 21st 2016 was not only one of the hardest days to deal with but also the feeling as if a part of you was now missing. I do not like death and while I've had my fair share of it in my life rarely deal with it well. Depeche Mode sang 'I don't want to start any blasphemous rumors but I think that God's got a sick sense of humor and when I die, I expect to see him laughing." In my own way, I think it's a cruel stage in life. While I'm a Christian and believe in heaven and hell, I don't believe my heaven will be the same as the next person. So to the point of this topic. Last night my wife gave me a shirt and she had a matching one as well.

Beautiful Prince symbol with the names of many songs but underneath the symbol it has something to the effect of "legend 1958-2016." I can't bring myself to have anything that closes the Prince chapter on it. I was honest with my wife and while it upset her, I felt I did a decent job of explaining that I'm not ready for something that says it ended in 2016 nor do I believe that I would ever be able to wear it. I know she was hurt and I appreciate the sentiment but I'm asking you all, would you have done the same? Would you have accepted the gift and said that you would wear it one day or be open about your feelings on death and admit that while it was the thought that counts, you just can't accept it?

Crazy that you are writing this because I did the same exact thing. My Mum bought me a necklace. Granted, she ordered something different. They just sent her the wrong one. Anyway, it said "When the doves cry" 1958-2016. I told her how I felt about it, which was hard because she is a bit sensitive and I hate hurting people's feelings. I used to be the person that would keep something and wear it just so I wouldn't hurt them. But I'm working on being honest because I shouldn't have to apologize for how I feel. I appreciated it and she understood. I'm that way with most things and people I truly care about. I don't need the date to be reminded of what happened. It's sad. SO to answer your question, Yes I would have done the same thing because that is what I did lol. I'm going to sell it. Because someone will appreciate it. None of my friends were into him or else I would just give it away. She did get me another symbol necklace though. I love it

gollygirl said:

tish9311 said:

. I went to a funeral where the minister said the date of birth and date of death are irrelevant because we came to celebrate the dash.

That is beautiful !!!!!

databank said:

Makes me realize the cover of Come is now very... odd with the 1958-1993 mention.

If/when the album is rereleased it's gonna confuse a lot of people who won't necessarily know about the name change back then.

I used to hate looking at tha album for that very reason. I would think if Prince died, I just might have to die to. When he died, I didn't want to die but it was hard, but I don't have to tell anybody here about that.

wishuhvn said:

Like many of you, April 21st 2016 was not only one of the hardest days to deal with but also the feeling as if a part of you was now missing. I do not like death and while I've had my fair share of it in my life rarely deal with it well. Depeche Mode sang 'I don't want to start any blasphemous rumors but I think that God's got a sick sense of humor and when I die, I expect to see him laughing." In my own way, I think it's a cruel stage in life. While I'm a Christian and believe in heaven and hell, I don't believe my heaven will be the same as the next person. So to the point of this topic. Last night my wife gave me a shirt and she had a matching one as well.

Beautiful Prince symbol with the names of many songs but underneath the symbol it has something to the effect of "legend 1958-2016." I can't bring myself to have anything that closes the Prince chapter on it. I was honest with my wife and while it upset her, I felt I did a decent job of explaining that I'm not ready for something that says it ended in 2016 nor do I believe that I would ever be able to wear it. I know she was hurt and I appreciate the sentiment but I'm asking you all, would you have done the same? Would you have accepted the gift and said that you would wear it one day or be open about your feelings on death and admit that while it was the thought that counts, you just can't accept it?

I totally agree. I only chose a tshirt that did not include the dates. As far as I'm concerned, Prince is not "gone." His legend lives on in us!

meagemini2 said:

"I totally get it because I have a hard time seeing it also. I prefer 1958 - ∞ (the infinity symbol) because his physical form may be gone but his spirit will be with us ALWAYS. "

YES. YES. YES. I can't bare to look at the dates either. Glad I'm not the only one. Thanks Friends! Big hugs, peace , love and healing.

THIS!

.

Perfect. So HIM.

I am learning how adjust to the understanding that Prince is still alive as NRG (spirit/soul form), just no longer physical. A major adjustment, but I'm making progress. I write messages to him here and there in my journal. When my heart gets real heavy I sometimes take a minute to commune with him--even if it's just my imagination, but I like to think he is tuned in when I think of him.

.

I'm sure people would say I'm in denial. Perhaps. Still my right. But there is compelling evidence of the consciousness existing (living) beyond the life of the physical body, that can be found in accounts of children who retain details from past lives that have been verified as accurate, and similar verifications for people with accounts of out-of-body experiences. So I'm being empirical here, and not just an emotional reaction. I really do think Prince is still alive, just not in a physical vessel any longer. I'm training myself to see him with my heart, and no longer with my eyes.