Years ago we used to laugh as we would quote a portion of Pete Seeger’s poem:

I get up each morning, gather my wits.
Pick up the paper, read the obits.
If I’m not there I know I’m not dead.
So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed.

Much to the surprise of the entire family, I recently discovered an obituary on our grandfather, written in a prominent newspaper, ten years before he actually died. I’m reasonably sure he never actually saw it, as he didn’t live in that city. But still – it was somewhat amusing.

It got me to thinking about life, how we live it, and apart from an error, is it possible to outlive your obituary?

Some would say your legacy can live on:

• through your children
• through your contribution to society as a whole
• through some kind word or deed you did for someone else
• through faith in the afterlife
• through your biography, or something you have written
• through pictures and the memories associated with them
• through music, paintings, etc.

For me, that’s where faithbooking / scrapbooking comes into play.  It’s a means of passing family stories and history to future generations, so they will know that I lived, and was a part of it.

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Everyone has a story to tell – how will you tell yours?

How are you living your life today, so that for future generations, you too will outlive your obituary?