The measure of a man

I mentioned in my last post that my trip up the mountain was most likely the last time I would see my uncle alive.  Well I was correct.  He passed peacefully in his sleep the first Tuesday after Labor Day.  Ironically, that was the exact same day of the week that my father passed away 3 years ago. 

We ventured back up the mountain this weekend to carry out my uncles wishes.  He wanted to celebrate his life.  He wanted all of his friends and family that could to gather and basically hang out.  Well, that is exactly what we did.  There was a large crowd gathered with tons of food, drinks, laughs and even a few tears. 

While this was going on it got me to thinking.  You can really measure a man (or woman for that fact) and how they lived by how they are remembered when they pass away.  I remember 3 years ago (to this very date) when my father left us, just how many people came out to remember him.  Even though I don't remember half the ones that came by, I do remember that there was A LOT of them.  That was a huge comfort to us.  Knowing that he had touched so many people throughout his life.  The same thing can be said about yesterday.  So many people gathered to remember the man and the memories. 

The people that were here ranged from lawyers, to authors, to an medal winning Olympic athlete.  There were also vets, photographers, and run of the mill folks.  Needless to say he was a people person and loved by many and will be missed greatly by this group of people. 

The measure of the man is not only in how he lived by how he is remembered when he is gone.