Earlier this year, I wrote an article that focused on the multitude of thoughts that careen through our heads and the impact they have on the shape our lives take. Going deeper, I have been exploring the trajectory from there to here and the possibility that our final thought could come at any time. Most people avoid thinking about their ultimate thoughts before closing their eyes for one last time in this incarnation. I would like mine to be about gratitude for the many blessings I experienced, the family and friends who have surrounded me, the do-overs and second chances that have been afforded me, and the creative gifts that I have chosen to unwrap and share with the world. I also contemplated how I would want to be remembered, since it sets the tone for how I live each day.  That would be that I lived as love incarnate and spilled it over everyone and everything I touched.

I asked friends about their version of this question and they shared nakedly and boldly.

“What a ride!”

“Love/God/Goddess.”

“She made a difference.”

“She loved.”

“I survived.”

“Maybe that I inspired someone to be their better self.”

“Woop, woop ! I am almost home. Remember me by the love I spread.”

“I can’t wait to see my parents and grandparents to tell them they were right! I liked to be remembered as funny, knowledgeable, creative, supportive and loved.”

“I would like my last thought to be about feeling happy and satisfied…that I had loved and been loved…knowing I had left the world a better place than I had come into it. I would like to be remembered for being someone who made a positive difference in the lives of others…who was a courageous, strong, smart, funny and caring individual.”

“She traveled all over the world. She built a fortune in real estate. She climbed mountains by bicycle and on foot. She loved her girl, her man and her animals. She wrote amazing books and screenplays. She was on the NY Times bestselling list and walked the red carpet! She even won a medal in the Senior Olympics. What a beautiful life.”

“Last thought– “Not yet, I’ve got to turn off the stove!” Remembered–“He made me smile.”

“Wow. Look at how much sh*t I did. So many experiences. I have Loved. I have lived. I hope to be remembered for ALL of me. She was one of a kind.”

“I would hope my final thoughts would be of happy times. I would like to be remembered as kind, funny, giving and inspriational by those who loved me.”

“S/he who dies w/ the most Joy wins…. I think I will be excited.”

“I would love to be considered/remembered as a loving friend and a kind person.”

“Man, what a blast! He explored til he couldn’t.”

I echo many of their sentiments and live fully and freely, rich and juicy, so that with my last breath I know I have not missed a thing.