Every Life Is A Story

By

Alan L. Bryant

     I was reading the newspaper the other day and came across an obituary that read as follows:

“John Smith, born September 4th, 1918; died July 3rd, 2003.  Services will be held this Thursday at 2:00 pm at the Baptist Church on Main St.”

      This is all that was written about a man who had lived on this earth for over 80 years.  His story will never be told, assuming that someone might be interested in reading it.  Not knowing anything about the man I began to write a brief imaginary recollection of his life story.

     John was the oldest of three children.  His father’s family haled from Newcastle County, and his mother’s maiden name was “Brown” of Manchester County.  John was a graduate of the local community college.  He went to school during the latter part of the Great Depression and paid for it by working full-time in the factory.  John served as an officer in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II.  He was involved in some of the fiercest hand-to-hand combat during the war.  Consequently, he was decorated several times for bravery and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  After the war, he married his high school sweetheart and settled down in the suburbs.  He went on to become very successful in business, inventing a weigh machine which was accurate to the nearest nanogram.  John and his wife had one son who died of cancer while in early childhood.  He belonged to the Free Masons and reached their highest level.  In addition, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Lyon’s Club.  John and his wife attended the Baptist Church regularly, and he was a Sunday school teacher.  He donated his time to the March of Dimes and helped them to raise a record amount of money.  John liked bowling and won several tournaments.  His wife died ten years ago, and since then he has lived alone until the time of his death. 

     This was probably an excessive exercise in futility, however it did make me feel better.  Will anyone remember our life’s story once we leave this world?  Even if our loved ones, who survive us, know that we once existed, it will be forgotten after their deaths.  For those who believe… God remembers what we do here on earth, and our name is written in the book of life.  For many of us, we wish that His memory was not so accurate.  The rich and famous might be immortalized in writings for the admiration of future generations, however this is not assured because of peoples natural distaste for history.  Will we want to recall their life’s story if there is a picture or a tape recorded message left behind?  The old will try to tell their story to a stranger on a bus — or on a train — or on the street, but most of us do not have the time or inclination to listen.  John lived a long life, and I am sure if he was still alive he would have many interesting stories to tell, but alas they are lost to the ages.