I took a creative writing class while in college. One of our assignments was to assume we had lived to the age of eighty and we were to write our own obituary. We could write as much, or as little, as we wanted, there was no limit on words. The obituaries were posted on the wall in our classroom so others in the class could read about our demise.

Being that I was nineteen at the time, I had not done much worth writing about, at least nothing I would want others to know. I certainly had dreams and goals I hoped to accomplish, so I wrote about those.

I cannot remember exactly what I placed in my obituary, but it was all good! I think I had played major league baseball and owned one of the biggest cattle ranches in the Texas Panhandle. My financial fortune was given to charities after my death, and I even had a building named after me at Texas Tech! Of course, none of that has happened, at least not yet, but it sure looked good in my obituary. What I found interesting is that everyone in my class had made a bunch of money and lived a life of service to others.

We all died financially wealthy, except for one student. I cannot remember her name, but her obituary was posted next to mine on the wall. My obituary took about five minutes to read. I had accomplished many great things in life, and I felt the need to make others aware of it. Hers was three short sentences, and I have never forgotten them.

“She was born, and she died. In between those two events, she loved herself and others, and for that she was wealthy. Nothing else is worth writing about.”

When the professor asked her about it, she said that she wanted to be remembered as a person who lived a life of love, that was all.

After hearing her reply, I was embarrassed by my lengthy obituary proclaiming how great a person I was.

I have worked hard in my life, and I have accomplished some pretty cool things, but those “things” are not what I want to be remembered for.

No doubt, we should work hard and use our talents to help others and achieve our greatness on earth. That to me is Godly living.

At my father’s graveside funeral, family members stood up and spoke. Nobody mentioned his restaurant business. Although its success provided a great deal of opportunities for his family, his business was not mentioned. We shared stories about his humility and his unconditional love for others. I miss my dad for those reasons, not what he did for a living.

Obit….

If you wrote your own obituary, how would it read?

Would it boast about titles, and worldly things achieved?

I won this, I built that, look how successful I became.

I owned homes, cars, all sorts of toys, everyone knew my name.

Would you post your accomplishments, listing them one by one.

Making mourners aware of attainment, and the good deeds you’ve done.

Or would you write about family, and all the love you shared?

Would you tell them that you’ll miss them, and how much you cared?

Would you make sure to note, you accomplished nothing in life alone.

Thanking others for believing in you and the loving bond you’ve sown.

If you wrote your own obituary, how would it read?

Would it boast about titles, and worldly things achieved?

Achievements are important, but never the most important of all.

Leaving your family an inheritance of love, there is no higher call.

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Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to thowey63@gmail.com.