By Laurel A. Falvo

(1/1/07) This week The Gray Center’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan has been in national and international news. The 38^th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, spent a part of his life in Grand Rapids, and our city is the home of the museum named after him. Our airport and a local highway also bear his name. On December 26, Gerald R. Ford passed away. Our news media is airing numerous tributes to this man and the role that he played in the history of our country, and our city is preparing to honor him at his burial on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Museum on Wednesday.

While I must admit that due to my relatively young age, I remember little of his 2-1/2 years of presidency, it has been interesting to hear and read these news reports. Regardless of where people stand politically, and whether or not they agreed with his political decisions, most people seem to agree that Gerald R. Ford was a man of “integrity” and “character.” They comment on his dedication, honesty, and work ethic. Our local newspaper, The Grand Rapids Press, wrote, “He built his career on hard work, congeniality and honesty, traits that served him as well in Congress as they did back home.” (Dec. 27)

Epitaphs such as this are one-line inscriptions which give us an idea of a deceased person’s goals, dreams, or values. A recent stroll through the Internet yielded the following epitaphs, some funny, some poignant or thought-provoking, and some sad:

- She did more than exist, she lived. She did more than listen, she understood.

- We laughed at him because he was different. He laughed at us because we were all the same. We will never laugh the same again.

- Her friends were her world

- He achieved success here because he lived well, laughed often and loved much.

- She would rather give than receive

- He left the world knowing he was loved. Nothing in life could be a more precious gift.

- Always loving: always loved

- It is not length of life, but depth of life. He jumped into life and never touched bottom

- He always stood for what was right and good. And for this we shall forever cherish his memory.

- He always did the things he thought he couldn't do. Thank you for your courage and inspiration.
- He never heard opportunity knock because he was too busy building doors.

- His true wealth was in his generous heart. And what endless wealth he did have.

- She gave so much and demanded so little.

I believe the first step to promoting social understanding is to understand ourselves. While part of that is developing an awareness of who we are on the inside, the other part is acknowledging who people see when they watch, interact with, or listen to us.

What about us? If someone were to write a 1-3 line summary of our lives, what would it be? Is what people view on the outside consistent with our inner (perhaps unspoken) goals, dreams, and values? Today each of us has a precious gift—more time to write the story of our lives; the legacy that we will leave behind when we’re gone.

 
© 2007 Laurel A. Hoekman/Laurel A. Falvo