by Joanie Butman
I read the book, Life Worth Living, this summer written by three Yale professors who teach a popular seminar by the same name. According to the cover, it’s “a guide to what matters most.” The book poses the question “what makes a good life?” along with other probing queries to assist you in determining your answer. The authors include input from pundits of all religions, philosophers and renowned secular figures, but the answer will be unique to each reader. Sitting at my brother-in-law, Mark’s, memorial last weekend, I witnessed firsthand what makes a good life. His was a life devoted to service of others. He was a devoted teacher and coach to half of Milwaukee it seemed, judging by the turnout. Mark had a keen intellect and shared it with passion with his students. The amount of people he inspired are too many to count. It was more than teaching subjects or coaching sports, which I’m certain he did well. More importantly though, he instilled a love of learning that probably served his students more than any individual subject matter. He taught them about life.
My sisters and I spent days making picture boards representing different facets of his life, sorting through thousands of photos documenting his journey. I felt honored to have this bird’s eye view and concluded that he realized earlier than most what a life worth living encompasses. During the service, as I listened to family, friends, colleagues and students share their memories and his impact on their lives, I couldn’t help thinking, “I need to be a better person.” I quickly chided myself, “How selfish can you be sitting at someone’s memorial thinking about yourself?” However, the more I thought about it, I decided that there’s probably no better way to honor someone than to use their life as inspiration to be a better version of yourself. It’s what Mark did in life and, it seems, in death as well.
It would have taken an arena to display the trophies, plaques, and various honors Mark accumulated. Though I’m sure he appreciated the acknowledgment and gratitude they represented, the only trophies he cared about were the ones in attendance at his memorial. His greatest joy was to help others see the potential he recognized in them. He was an influencer in the purest and best possible way. Relishing the growth and development of those under his care and tutelage was the only reward that ever mattered.
May we all be blessed with a Mark in our lives - a shining example of a life worth living.
