On April 12th 2012 my very good friend, Matt, passed away after battling dermatomyositis.
There are so many things I could write about him, our friendship, his unexpected illness, what his death did to his family and friends … ugh … but for now I want to share a poem that was distributed during his viewing/wake:
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is t…
On April 12th 2012 my very good friend, Matt, passed away after battling dermatomyositis.
There are so many things I could write about him, our friendship, his unexpected illness, what his death did to his family and friends … ugh … but for now I want to share a poem that was distributed during his viewing/wake:
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
Reading that poem, in that moment, hit me hard — Matt was the embodiment of every line.
I think about Matt quite a bit, and whenever I do my thoughts eventually drift to this poem. It’s a nice reminder of what’s important in life, and what isn’t.