This past weekend Elaine and I got together with her siblings and spouses to commemorate her mother’s passing one year ago. After lunch and conversation, we all went to the graveyard to put flowers on Elaine’s mom’s grave, her brother’s grave and her grandparents’ grave. I know it is a little morbid, but we also looked at our own gave plots where we will be when the good lord calls us home.

As we walked around graves, there were many we knew well. People we knew for years, leaders, our teachers, deacons, friends, and families all around us. I was stuck by one thought – the human mortality rate is 100% and we all have an expiration date. I do not care how important you are or how much money you have, we will be buried the same way and if you are a believer, we will all be judged the same way in the end.

I looked at some graves that were recent and others were older, and many were several generations ago. I have often said that our influence really extends to two generations. Our children and grandchildren. Beyond that there is of course love, but very little influence. The best I can tell, we get one shot to leave behind the example for our children and grand children to follow. In some sports you have instant reply, in golf you have mulligans, in basketball you get five chances to not foul out, in baseball you get three strikes, in football you get four attempts to get a first down. In life we only get one swing at the ball and there are no do-overs and no second chances. We are one and done.

Hopefully, many years from now someone will be walking past your grave and remember you for being a good man and or a good woman. Wouldn’t it be great if they could also say that you were honest, kind, trustworthy and reliable? Notice I did not say wealthy. We spend so much time trying to be this or that when the real truth is, death is the great equalizer. Next time you see a graveyard, think about what you want to be remembered for and I hope it is for the right things. KT