Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it onto future generations. – George Bernard Shaw
A few years ago, I worked on a mission statement for my life and part of it reads, “…and a legacy of contributions to work and community that help make the world a better place and that live on after me.” Sounds kind of corny and probably too Covey-ish but it’s still my best working definition of what an afterlife is. Shaw’s metaphor is way more elegant.
Tonight, I’m thinking about the part of the torch that my dad passed to me, since his birthday is tomorrow. He would have been 81. I’d like to think he’s smiling at me now, approving as he watches me struggle, pleased that he can take some credit for whatever good might come out of my life.