A Life That Mattered: The Very Short Story Of A Remarkable Man (So Long Quent)

Sunrise: February 22, 1936
Sunset: November 6, 2010

Last week I received word that my Uncle Quentin was no longer with us. He died at 12:05 A.M. in the morning. This type of news you are never prepared for even when it is evidently inevitable when someone has a terminal illness.

I knew of his health concerns over the past few years and even received welcome news he was in remission for a good period of time. But within the past few weeks the prognosis took the eternal turn for the worse unfortunately. He is survived by his beautiful wife and one son.

In later years, I did not get the opportunity to see him that often but the images I hold of him are of a sturdy and confident man. He was one of the most brilliant individuals I had ever known. I looked up to him as he quietly and indirectly mentored me through the life he lived.  He set a fine example of what I aspired to be. My regret is that I never let him know how much he meant to me.

Some of his accomplishments: Electrical Engineer, Masters Degree in Political Science, graduate of the Federal Executive School, Deputy Regional Director of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Alaska Region, Regional Director of the FAA New England Region, Deputy Administrator of the entirety of the FAA, a public speaker, pilot, sailor and an amazing painter.

The life of his that I witnessed was one that was of dignitary status. He was really that important (at least to me anyway). As you can see, his responsibilities, associations and even his hobbies were awe inspiring. He truly took advantage of every day of his time on earth.

Given everything he was, he remained steadfast in integrity, caring, being humble and committed to family and faith. He truly lived a life that mattered. He will greatly be missed.

In celebration of living a life that matters:

“Ready or not, some day my life will end.
There will be no sunrises, days, hours or minutes.
No more cell phones or calls and mail to be returned.
Everything I will have collected, be it treasured or forgotten
will pass to someone else.
My wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what I owned or what I owed.
My grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.
So will my hopes, ambitions, plans and ‘To Do’ list: All expire with me.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important to me will fade away.
It won’t matter where I was born or what side of the tracks have I lived.
It won’t matter if I rented or owned a house or lived on a boat.
It won’t matter whether I was clever, handsome or brilliant.
My gender, skin color, ethnicity will be irrelevant.

So what WILL matter?
What will be the measure of my days, weeks and years passed?
How will my life be valued?

What will matter is not what I bought but what I have chosen to build.
Not what I received but what I have shared and given you.
What will matter is not the level of my success but my significance.
What will matter is not what I learned but what I have taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage and sacrifice
that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate from my example.
What will matter is not my competence but my integrity and character: my true grit.
What will matter is not how many people I have known, rich or poor
but how many will feel a lasting loss when I am gone.
What will matter are not my faded memories
but the memories of those who knew and have loved me.
What will matter is how long I will be remembered,
but whom and for a kaleidoscope of reasons, like a brilliant rainbow.
Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s not a matter of circumstance.
It is one made of choice: one of my own choosing.
And in so doing, I dance and write my name with Destiny.”

~ Donna Maris

My humble and sobering advice to you….

Don’t miss an opportunity to be involved in life. Not only yours but especially those who make a positive impact on you before it’s too late. Speak up. Talk to them. Visit with them. Wrap your arms around them. Let them know that their “being” counts for something in your life. This could be the very justification and feedback they need to verify that their life’s work wasn’t for naught and their mission mattered. By doing this I guarantee you will not carry the guilt of a missed opportunity to your grave.

Good bye Uncle Quentin. Thanks for setting a great example and firm foundation for me in living to the fullest and living a life that matters. You will forever be missed.

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