5/23/07--People that matter

I told you in my last entry the sad news about my Aunt Ruby, who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  My sister wrote me and told me that Aunt Ruby always wanted to know what sort of things people would say at her funeral.

And I remembered a television show from years ago where a character was wondering what sort of impact he had made, in the long run, during his life.  And then he remembered his children and the legacy he would one day leave.  And it struck me that so many people can go through their lives wondering what sort of legacy they leave behind, not realizing the impact they have and leave behind.

How do you let someone know?  How do you let someone know the importance and impact they've left on your life?

I decided the easiest way is to say.....with all the love that a nephew can send to his aunt:

You mattered.  You mattered to your children.  You mattered to your mother & father.
You mattered to your brothers.  You mattered....to your only sister.  You mattered to one of your nephews--the one who bragged to his wife that in the kitchen, there was a standard that had been set....an invisible bar established when it came to the quality of food that was prepared....and that it was mighty high.  That whenever macaroni & cheese are prepared, for whatever reason, I'm invariably asked:

"Is it as good as your Aunt Ruby's?"

And I tell her...that it was good--really good---but it wasn't quite there yet.

And I didn't have to worry that I wasn't telling the truth.

I used to say that I always thought the life of my Aunt Ruby would make an incredible story...and it would.  She's lead a quietly amazing life.  When she is greeted and welcomed at the pearly gates....the good Lord will think to himself that she got her money's worth out of life.  There was no wasted time...no wasted effort.

A life that mattered....to so many people....and a nephew who wanted her to know.

All my love,
Jeff