William Cullen Bryant wrote a poem called “Thanatopsis” which is a Greek word that means a view of death or a reflection on death. Before you assume that this is a terribly depressing poem or that this blog will encourage you to stay under the covers crying yourself to sleep, please read on.
Bryant’s poem spoke about death as a natural part of life encouraging us to accept this fact and take solace that we are joining all those who have gone before. After all, there are obviously many more of us in the ground than on the ground. If you get the opportunity, read the entire poem as I do not do justice to it in these very few words. Here is an excerpt:
Thanatopsis
Yet not to thine eternal resting place
Shalt thou retire alone, nor couldst thou wish
Couch more magnificent. Thou shalt lie down
With patriarchs of the infant world – with kings,
The powerful of the earth- the wise, the good,
Fair forms, and hoary seers of ages past,
All in one might sepulcher.
Our book Black and White Like You and Me certainly conjures up many memories of our past and the wonderful people that we have lost to death over the years. Recently I ran across some reflections that I wrote after Mike Popson, longtime Brother Rice teacher, athletic director, and coach, who was killed in a traffic accident in 2006 shortly after he retired.
Mike Popson, Thanatopsis
What do we leave behind?
What difference did we make?
How is life measured?
I remain very confused, not only about death but also about life. I think of my wife, my children, not too much about my parents or siblings. Did I impact the children enough to allow the positive evolution of civilization to continue? Looking back, what did all life’s trivia matter? Were these challenges, joys, and heartaches placed in my path to allow growth and by reflection to show others how to live? I, not Lou Gehrig, have been the luckiest man on earth having four great natural children, two great stepsons, and a wonderful wife who grew with me step-by-step from two wandering souls, almost lost souls, into solid citizens and role models.
Being in education, I can influence youngsters on a daily basis. What a responsibility! What a great opportunity! What a blessing! I need to remind myself that I need to be accountable each and every day: accountable to be helpful, to make others better, and to make others feel better about themselves.
Curiously, the more that I have written, the less confused I am about death and life. I need to do more for others. Did Mike Popson know that the church would be bursting at its seams at his funeral service? Probably. Would I like the same when my time comes? Definitely. Will that happen? I must not live for that, but the result of a giving, helpful life will result in just that. I have been given many gifts, the best of which is likeability which allows me to engage others. God, please help me use this gift to help others feel better. Therefore, what is life: a short opportunity to improve the condition of those around us.
