Life Trumps Death: Finding Meaning in the Journey

Do you ever find yourself contemplating the meaning of life? Why are we here? These profound questions often bubble up when we're faced with unwelcome news—the passing of a beloved family member, a friend's spouse, or someone who seemed to leave too soon. When these moments happen, it's common to try to justify them by saying it's part of the "circle of life," but does that really offer comfort?

I don’t make a habit of reading the obituary section, yet occasionally, I find myself drawn to stories of strangers. Some have lived long, fulfilling lives, leaving behind a legacy of contribution to their communities. Their families must be proud, but they also bear the weight of grief and loss. Then there are the stories of a young father, just 42, who succumbs to cancer, leaving behind his wife and children. And I can’t help but wonder: how is that fair? My heart aches for the family, and tears fill my eyes when I read about a child who tragically dies in an accident.

Death is something I’ve never quite known how to handle. It scares me. When it enters my life, it feels like a tidal wave of emotions—hurt, sadness, love, and empathy, all crashing down at once. I've lost friends in high school to accidents, drugs, and illness. I’ve witnessed families torn apart by grief when a loved one takes their own life. And like many others, I’ve said goodbye to relatives only after they’ve passed, wishing I had been there sooner.

I often wonder why death impacts me so deeply. It’s not that I dwell on it every day, but maybe deep down, I fear losing someone close to me—a parent, sibling, or friend. Perhaps it's my own fear of mortality. Maybe I’m just a little selfish, scared of the unknown and the idea that one day, my time will come too.

Young people, with their youthful energy and sense of invincibility, rarely think about death. Life feels endless and full of possibilities. But as people age, they start to prepare for death. They begin to accept its inevitability, seeing it as the final stage of a long journey. Their emotions are often tempered by experience and reality. While the grief and pain of losing someone is still present, there’s also reflection—a focus on the positive moments shared and the legacy left behind. For some, their biggest concern becomes whether they’ll outlive their friends or who will attend their funeral. It’s a natural part of life’s progression.

Perhaps, with age, I’ll become more comfortable with death. Maybe it will hurt less when I lose those I love or hear about the passing of strangers. Right now, though, I’m grateful that my fear of death is more than balanced by my passion for life. It’s that love for living that drives me forward every day.

But where does this contemplation of death take us? Is it the end of a journey or the beginning of a new one, depending on your beliefs? If you had a tombstone, what would it say? What would you want to be remembered for? This brings us back to the ultimate question: what is our purpose? What legacy will we leave behind?

Perhaps it’s worth considering how we want others to remember us. An epitaph might read, “Here lies a person who cared deeply for those around them, respected others, and made a positive impact on everyone they encountered.” If we can envision how we’d like to be remembered, it may serve as a guiding compass for how we live our lives today.

In a perfect world, wouldn’t it be wonderful if that same care and understanding extended beyond our inner circle? If our sense of purpose wasn’t just about our own lives, but about creating a common bond with others? A bond rooted in truth, justice, peace, and mutual respect. Imagine a world where we’re all connected by the desire to make a difference, not just for ourselves but for humanity.

Ultimately, death is beyond our control. It’s a part of life, yes, but it’s not where our power lies. What we can control is how we live. We can impact our lives and the lives of others in profound ways.

Life trumps death because life is full of opportunity, meaning, and the chance to make a difference. By focusing on the lives we touch, the love we share, and the legacy we build, we can ensure that our time here, however long or short, is filled with purpose.