Hundred More Years

Yesterday I saw a video of old photographs put together with music.  It was a video celebration made by my husband’s 2nd cousin for his Grandmother’s 100th birthday.  The last song on the video was “Hundred More Years” by Francesca Battistelli.  It stopped me in my tracks.  Such beautiful lyrics – so poignant and fitting for a celebration of a life well lived.

When I watch and listen to things like this, I am reminded how short life is – how quickly time goes by. Beauty fades – the spirit never dies. The body ages and decays – the person on the inside stays the same. Life and death. Letting go, holding on. Changing and yet staying the same. The circle of life.  We all enter life in the same way and we all die when our time is over.  We leave our mark on this world, either good or bad with our family and friends. And when we are no more – others carry on our memory.  Pictures tell only a small part of the story.  Most things happen outside the lens of a camera.   Things done in unspoken ways.  Pain, Joy, Happiness, Failure, Struggle, Change, Resignation, Aging – these are all a very real part of life.  Some live LARGE lives.  Everyone knows their name.  Some live  very quiet lives of significance – quietly doing things for others and live a life worthy of celebration.  I believe this was the case for Great Aunt Helen.

Let’s make it a good hundred years – a great memory and legacy to leave behind for others.  Serving God and others – using up all of our gifts – taking nothing with us. Let’s leave our mark – more than just photographs – may our very lives be an example of a life well lived.

Enjoy this song as you reflect on your hundred years.

God Bless

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