How to Live Your Life

If there’s anything that I learned about my uncle, whether throughout my life or just from the days after his passing, is that he lived a great life.  I’d have to say that, out of the three mortal men I admire the most, my uncle is one of them, preceded only by my grandpa, my father, and my husband.

My uncle lived his life to the fullest.  Whenever he had the chance to laugh, he did.  If anyone could shine a light into a dark situation, he could.  He was loud when he wanted to be but quiet when he needed to be.  He was wise.  He was reverent.  He was kind.  He was respectful.  Not one person could say a negative word about him.

My uncle was a positive man and a role model to everyone he met.  He was an involved church member; a loving father, grandfather, and uncle; and a wonderful husband to my aunt.  My cousins said volumes about my uncle’s marriage with my aunt, and I can only hope that we can teach our children the way my uncle taught his.

Visitation on Wednesday was four hours long–and while that may seem like a long time, it was hardly enough.  From all over the country, friends and family came to say goodbye.  I can only hope I am that loved when my time comes.

This month, I have thought a lot about how I want to live out 2013.  I want to forgive those who hurt me in 2012 and move on.  I want to become a more positive and fun-loving person–like my uncle.  I want to be that person about whom nobody has a negative word.  It will take a lot of work, but with God’s help I will get there.

There are many different variations of this quote, but it’s said that we all have two dates on our tombstone: all that really matters is the dash in the middle.

What will your dash say?