Gone but not forgotten – tribute to a trio

Well, a lot has happened since my last blog.   I heard about two deaths and marked one anniversary in the space of seven days.  All people who were very significant in my life.

The deaths mean the end of two important chapters in my life, and the anniversary is always a bittersweet day.  While sad, my overwhelming feeling is gratitude at having had all three in my life.

The deaths were my cousin, and the woman who, with her husband, ran my childhood tennis club.  The anniversary – inbetween – was of the death of my mum (and my cousin’s much-loved aunt).

All three were special, precious and unique in their own ways.  I think of them as Distinctively Donald, Distinctively MacDonald and Distinctively Mum.

And yet they shared something – they epitomised what matters in life.  The difference they made to those whose lives they touched was profound and will live on.

So it feels apt to pay tribute to them all with an extract from the poem, ‘What Will Matter’ by Michael Josephson:

 

What will matter is not what you bought but what you built

Not what you got but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage,

or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.

What will matter is not your memories but the memories of those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom, and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

 

I think these words will resonate with most people.  And I know they will – deeply – with HSPs.

Who knows what happens after life.  But I like to imagine a couple of reunions going on – one Douglas and one MacDonald.  And if the parties happened to bump in to each other, that would be just perfect!

For sure, gone but not forgotten.