Thursday, April 15, 2010

Will I Be Missed?


I was visiting with a man who had just been given the news that he had a cancer for which nothing could be done. He was not a religious man and I was the only pastor he knew and trusted. After telling me his grim news he asked a question I did not expect. “Larry, do you think I will be missed? Will any one come to my funeral?”
 Blink
That question took some thought. He had no family left and was never married, loved to argue for the sake of stirring things up, and was generally suspicious of everything and everyone. To tell the truth I was not sure that anyone would miss him. So I just looked at him for a few moments.
 Chin
“How much time did the doctor give you?” It was less than a year. “Well,” I said, “You still have time to make a difference in someone’s life. Make the most of the time you have left to leave a positive mark some where and then you will be missed.” He shook his head, “It’s not in my nature.” 
 Angel
I guess he thought about it for a while because he became a hospice volunteer and did make a difference before he became a hospice receiver. He was missed in that community and people did attend his funeral.

1 comment:

  1. Wow. I have a couple of seniors I take care of who have asked me the same thing.

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