From the day we are conceived to the day we take our first breath to the day we take our last, what happens in between is significant. Sometimes we don’t stop long enough to value the simple pleasures. It often takes an illness or the death of a close friend or family member for us to take stock of what is really important.
We are only tenants here on earth. The impressions we leave are permanent in many ways.
Recently, I attended a service for a man I had never met. My wife had known him and we attended the celebration of his life to honor him. We were surrounded by family and friends, some teary-eyed, some laughing at the funny stories.
As I listened, I could not believe how much he had accomplished in his long and rich life. I laughed at the stories even though I had never even met him. I knew so many that were there. I kept asking myself how could it be that we had never crossed paths.
He was an avid sportsman, a man of faith, a counselor, a father, a grandfather, a civic leader, and a community volunteer. Listening to his children speak, it was apparent he was a generous man and a good father. He had touched many lives and we were all there to remember his contributions and rejoice at the ways he had touched so many spiritually. I got to know him after he was gone and that was alright.
So, I ask you, what really matters in life? I suggest it begins with personal faith; time spent with family and friends and continues with relationships, experiences, understanding, respect and courtesy.
In getting to know my new friend, I was reminded how precious time is, how fast it goes by, and how important it is to show the people around you how much you love them. My faith was renewed and restored during my visit. It was good for the soul.
We cross paths with hundreds of people each day. It occurs to me that with each person we meet we leave an impression of some type, a personal DNA by which we are remembered. It also occurs to me that I have not always been pleasant to everyone and it’s even harder to remember sometimes that it’s not all about me. We each have a story to tell and we all carry an occasional burden.
I have learned it’s easy to lighten that burden for someone just with a smile or a kind word. How we give of ourselves now, our actions and intentions, determine in part how we are remembered when our days have come to an end.
Over my bed growing up was a framed cross-stitch that read, “Never judge a man until you have walked in his moccasins for two weeks.” My mother had done the cross-stitch for me. Mom knew me from the moment Dr. Parker handed me over even though our acquaintance began in the prior months.
Life’s lessons take time. I thank God for putting patient and generous souls in my path to guide and counsel me.
And thanks to my new friend. You reminded me what matters most in life.
John Nix is the co-founder and partner at Matrix East, PLLC. He’s also the president of the CSS Neuse Foundation and can be reached at john@matrixeast.net. The opinions of the guest columnist are not necessarily those of The Free Press.
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