The Christmas season is here, Time for Giving and Gratitude, thus this posting for Today...
“You Have Not Really Lived If You Have Not Touched the Life of Others”
“You have not really lived if you have not touched the life of others.”
Simple words, but a lifetime has taught me how profoundly true they are.
As I look ahead to my 91st birthday, I find myself returning to memories that feel as vivid as yesterday, memories of my late wife (RIP) and the years when we were younger, stronger, and full of purpose as we joined medical missions in Marinduque, Philippines.
The Early Years of Service
Back then, we didn’t think of our work as something extraordinary. We were simply called to serve, packing medications, arranging supplies, assisting the medical professionals, and offering whatever time and energy we had. My wife and I traveled to communities where help was needed most, places where a single doctor’s visit could change the trajectory of someone’s life.
We witnessed the quiet miracles:
a child receiving antibiotics for the first time, and a senior citizen first time visit with a physician
an elderly woman getting her eyesight back after years of hopelessness,
families who had walked miles and for hours to reach the clinic, leaving with renewed comfort and dignity.
But the greatest miracle was not in what we gave. It was in what we received.
The Power of a Life Shared
In those dusty barangay halls, cramped classrooms, and makeshift clinics under the shade of coconut trees, my wife and I learned what it truly means to touch the life of another.
A simple gesture, handing out vitamins, helping someone fill out a form, offering a smile, became its own prayer.
People often think that service is measured in grand accomplishments. But I have come to believe it is measured in presence, being there when someone needs you, showing up with sincerity, giving without expecting anything in return.
Those missions strengthened not only communities but our marriage, deepening our shared sense of purpose. Even now, with my wife gone, I carry the warmth of those years like a lantern inside me.
A Reflection at 91
Now, at nearly 91, living in a senior community and cherishing the joys of being a great-grandfather, I am aware that time has softened many things. My steps are slower, my days quieter, but the spirit to touch lives remains.
I may no longer pack medicines or travel long distances, but through writing, storytelling, and sharing the memories of a life lived with intention, I hope to continue touching others even in small ways.
It is strange how the years reshape our understanding of purpose. When we are young, we think we must do great things. When we are older, we realize that great things were the small acts of kindness we gave freely, not knowing their ripple effect.
A Life Well Lived
If the measure of life is the number of lives we touch, then I feel blessed beyond measure.
The medical missions with my beloved wife, the decades of public service at the FDA, the friendships made, the stories shared, the family grown, all these have taught me that the true legacy we leave behind is not found in wealth or achievements but in the hearts we have reached.
As I reflect on 91 years, I return once again to that quote:
You have not really lived if you have not touched the life of others.
If that is the measure, then I have lived fully, gratefully, and with a heart forever shaped by the lives that touched mine in return.
- Impact over self: The core idea is that genuine living is found in a life of service and connection, rather than one focused solely on personal gain or comfort.
- A life well-lived: This perspective aligns with the idea that a life is best measured by its positive influence and the "corners" we've left unforgettable in the lives we've touched.
- Motivation: It can be seen as a reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a profound effect, helping others to see the beauty in their own lives and believe in their own potential.
- A path to meaning: The quote suggests that by focusing on the needs of others, we can find deeper meaning and a sense of purpose, and that this is essential for a truly fulfilling existence.
- Finally, Some of MY Favorite Quotes:
Lastly, the Top Five News of the Day
1. ISIS-linked motive confirmed in Bondi Beach mass shooting — Australian police say suspects carried bombs and ISIS flags, and had recently traveled abroad in connection with the attack that killed multiple people. Fox News
2. President Trump designates fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction — The White House announces an executive order classifying illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as WMDs, expanding enforcement tools. The White House
3, U.S. authorities arrest alleged New Year’s Eve terror plotters — Four defendants accused of planning to bomb U.S. companies in an anti-government plot were arrested by federal law enforcement. Department of Justice
4. U.S. Army identifies two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in Syria attack — The Department of Defense names the service members killed in an attack, prompting flags at half-staff in Iowa. PBS
5. Markets slump as major indexes close lower amid AI stock pressure — Financial markets saw major indices pull back, particularly as AI-related stocks weighed on the Nasdaq ahead of key jobs data. Investopedia
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