The Commemoration of My Life
This past weekend my family and I traveled back to my home in Indiana to celebrate the life of my great aunt. My aunt is dying of leukemia and though we will honor her in her death, it was a very joyous occasion to honor her in life. See, my aunt is part of a large family and has amassed a vast number of friends and we’ve all been blessed and honored to have been a part of her life and her, a part of ours.
During the gathering on Saturday, among the 450+ people that attended, I was fortunate to overhear many wonderful stories about how my aunt has touched the lives of so many. Listening to all of the stories made me begin to think about how my life will be remembered.
I’ve made many mistakes in life. Some were huge and some weren’t so big, but they all taught me something and helped to shape me into the man I am today. Many periods in my life I wish were easier to travel through, but character isn’t achieved during the times that are peaches and cream. I’m thankful for every dumb thing I have ever done, because those things are the ones that have been the biggest factors in making me, well, me.
When your time comes, what will people remember most about you? For me, I hope people always remember me as someone who spent his life in the service of others. I want to be remembered as someone who cared deeply about the needs of others and who worked to ease the burden of those I encountered. I am never happier than when I can do for others, that which they cannot do for themselves.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” What an excellent tenet to govern you life.
No one expects his or her lives to be cut short. My aunt never thought that her time would draw near at such a great age. What about you? Are you living your life in a manner reflective of how you want to be remembered? Even in the valley of the shadow of death my aunt inspires me. What an amazing person she is.
During the gathering on Saturday, among the 450+ people that attended, I was fortunate to overhear many wonderful stories about how my aunt has touched the lives of so many. Listening to all of the stories made me begin to think about how my life will be remembered.
I’ve made many mistakes in life. Some were huge and some weren’t so big, but they all taught me something and helped to shape me into the man I am today. Many periods in my life I wish were easier to travel through, but character isn’t achieved during the times that are peaches and cream. I’m thankful for every dumb thing I have ever done, because those things are the ones that have been the biggest factors in making me, well, me.
When your time comes, what will people remember most about you? For me, I hope people always remember me as someone who spent his life in the service of others. I want to be remembered as someone who cared deeply about the needs of others and who worked to ease the burden of those I encountered. I am never happier than when I can do for others, that which they cannot do for themselves.Mahatma Gandhi said, “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” What an excellent tenet to govern you life.No one expects his or her lives to be cut short. My aunt never thought that her time would draw near at such a great age. What about you? Are you living your life in a manner reflective of how you want to be remembered? Even in the valley of the shadow of death my aunt inspires me. What an amazing person she is.
Labels: Personal
posted by Troy at 4:31 PM
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