How Do You Want To Be Remembered?

I'm sure you well know that actor Patrick Swayze died this past Monday at age 57 after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer. Last night there was a Barbara Walter's Special on where they showed the various interviews Barbara did with Patrick over the years. One of the questions that Barbara Walters asked was, "How do you want to be remembered?"

Patrick Swayze's response was something along the lines of him hoping he had made a difference in other people's lives.

I couldn't help but put myself in Patrick Swayze's shoes. Here is a man who is facing death and he is so filled with gratitude for the "life" that he has lead. He stated that he felt like he had lived 1,000 lives in all that he had seen and done and that he was okay with dying. It was at that point that I became overwhelmed with emotion and tears started to flow. Those of you that know me know that this isn't unusual for me.

I started to think about my own life and could I say that I have lived so well? Could I say that I am okay with dying if faced with a terminal illness? Has my life helped others in a significant way? Now ask yourself those same tough questions. What kind of answers do you come up with?

In my personal life I'm a father and a husband, a brother, a friend, a cousin, and an uncle just like many of you. Those monikers are fairly easy to come by. But what I dedicate my life to is excellence in everything that I do.

In my professional life I write newsletters, post articles on my blog, make workout videos, run boot camps, teach nutrition and healthy lifestyle, coach semi-pro football, lead a hiking group, and volunteer. But sometimes I wonder if I am really making a difference in people's lives. I'd like to think that I am. It certainly is my mission to accomplish just that.

The "take home" point I want to make is that having a full life is about a lot of things. Sure we focus on being healthy and lean, but that's just a piece of the puzzle. I hope that if any of us finds ourselves in the throws of a terminal illness we can have the courage of Patrick Swayze. He has reminded me that I have slipped into my life's routines and too often forget to be grateful for the truly wonderful life I have in my good health and loving family.

I have never thought of Patrick Swayze as a great actor. He's had some big movies and will forever be remembered as Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing" and as Bhodi in "Point break". It is only in his final weeks of his life that I really began to take notice and come to admire and respect this man.

Patrick Swayze showed us what he is made of in his final days. During his last project for television (the Beast) he was going through chemotherapy. He refused to take pain killers as he said that they dulled his brain and his senses. He didn't want to let his illness take away from his ability to be the best actor he could be. He chose to endure pain over sacrificing quality of what he does best.

I am saddened by his passing as he truly had a lot more living to do. I am humbled by the words he spoke in his interview with Barbara Walters and the courage he displayed, and I don't think he was acting.

Rest in peace Mr. Swayze.