If you died tomorrow, what would be your epitaph? What will people say about how you lived your life?
This week I attended the memorial service of the legendary New York restaurateur, George Lang. His autobiography, “Nobody Knows the Truffles I’ve Seen,” is an inspiring story of courage, survival, reinvention, dedication, success, music, passion, love and humor. The service was attended by a large crowd of friends and industry colleagues, and the speeches were short and uplifting, from journalist, Adam Gopnik, to former ambassador, Ronald Lauder. Elie Wiesel sent a letter. Musician Peter Yarrow sang. George touched many lives.
It made me wonder: “When I die, what will people say about my life? What will be my epitaph?
It’s something you really never think about when you are busy living your life. But, I attended a seminar on reinventing your image last Spring, and one of the speakers commented. “If you sit down and write your obituary today, it might just tell you something about how you should live your life now and in the future.” I remember saying to myself, “Great. Mine might just say, ‘She was a hard worker. She worked herself to death.'”
When my father died, we had to prepare an epitaph for his tombstone. We decided on “Love, Honor, Duty, Country”- The words of a soldier.
So, what would be my epitaph?
I would want mine to be: “She lived her life with purpose and with passion.”
And, if there is more room:
“She faced challenges with courage, with confidence and with humor.”
“She inspired others to be their best and, in doing so, found the best in herself.”
That’s how I want to be known as I live my life and to be remembered when I die. My friends can throw a party, drink great wine, listen to Southern rock and reggae, and dance on my grave. Give whatever I have left to my designated charities.
In the meantime, I plan to focus on living the rest my life with more purpose and more passion.
How about you?
I love your post, Melanie. My life changed greatly five years ago and has become increasingly more fulfilling and filled with joy thanks to amazing new friendships and connections. I want to be remembered for trying to help friends and colleagues and readers of Foodservice East and foodserviceeast.com in many ways – with information, sharing connections, doing good deeds. There is nothing more important than living fully every single day, sharing and loving, and caring about yourself as well as others.
My wife and i partially agree, amazing post. I am adding you to my bookmarks.