Monday, April 16, 2012

Thinking of Dad today

Thinking of my Dad today. It would have been his 93 birthday - here we are celebrating his 90th birthday, just 3 years ago. And it does seem like yesterday.

He taught me so much, things I'm just now getting to understand. His legacy becomes the care he afforded to everyone. The smile, the kind words, the caring hand-written notes. These are things that in the technology world today, still mean so much. His memory will live on in so many ways. In the words of the following poem, by Michael Josephson - he lived a life that matters. I know he is in the thoughts of many today.

How will the value of your days be measured?
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 know, but how many people will feel a lasting loss when your're gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you.
What will matter is not how long you will be remembered, but when, 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.