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At the end of one’s life, we will not be concerned with (1) how many times we went to a shopping mall, or (2) how many rounds of golf we played, but rather the important question will be: Did my life make a difference?

Consider telling someone this week they made or are making a difference in your life. One way to do this is to write an “I Remember” letter. The following is an example of an “I Remember” letter I wrote to an older friend, Rickie:

Dear Rickie,

I remember:

• When your young son, Phillip, died you worked through your grief by caring for others.  You made blueberry muffins and visited a local nursing home each week for years.  When a local family grieved the death of a child, you wrote them a note of sympathy and hope.
• How you always had chocolate kisses on your foyer table.
• How you taught us to make Caesar salad, fettuccini and lamb chops.
• How you would bring my family kettles of ox-tail, bean or minestrone soup. As I remember, I can almost smell and taste those soups. It is a cool fall day in Michigan; so, I would love some of your home-made soup!
• Although you have had much sadness in your life, you have remained positive and loving and always giving.
• How you continue to care for others in your new retirement home in California.  

Recently, I received the following quotation and it sums up how I feel about you:  “Sometimes, someone touches our heart and stays there forever.”

You have made a difference in my life and in the lives of many others.

Love and Respect,
Karen