Whats your mark? Your Legacy?

I lost my grandfather on 1st Feb 2010. He was pretty old (94) & we all expected it, but a loss is a loss. There are no words to describe it.
People who console & say “we know what you are going through” don’t really do, unless they have gone through it, god forbid! I haven’t seen my father so low or helpless ever & I never thought I would, for someone as strong as him!

It was my 1st visit to a crematorium, especially where I was involved in performing a few final rites. On the 2nd day as a ritual, you collect the ashes & bones & carry it all the way to a holy place where you immerse it in water where they eventually settle down & mix with the soil. It has by far been the most humbling/moving experience of my life.

Here’s a gist of what I took back that day, forever across my life -

- Whoever you boast you are – ultimately you are down to ashes & bones.
- Whichever heights you soar – ultimately you immerse in water & blend with the soil.
- Whatever riches you achieve – ultimately you go back with empty hands & bare body.
- What you give back to this world, that ultimately is what you take with you.

As I sat back that evening, I knew for sure - I was no ego, no position, no status in society. I was all down to the ashes & bones which at the end left no mark as they immersed in water & became one with the soil.

With a deep feeling of void & solitude, I was just left with 3 questions which I pass on to you my dear friend -

- Who would eventually turn up for your funeral & your final rites?
- What would your obituary look like? What would the people have to say about you?
- What was the mark you left? What is it that you take from this world? What is the legacy you leave behind?

Else ultimately its all down to bones & ashes....