Hoping for a life well-lived


I have been umpiring a few games in this past week (3 games in 6 days with more to come in the coming weeks).  And, at our game on Thursday, the crew chief, at our pre-game meeting, reminded us how lucky we are to be able to be doing this when there are others we have recently lost who can no longer do so with us.  Most notably, our friend and fellow ump, Joe Basera, who was one of the early folks lost to Covid.  And, on the 177th day of 2021, before I umpired another game, Sarah and I attended the viewing of another well-loved Joe.  Big Joe Coyne, the father of a good friend from the Penn Band, and a beloved figure in the South Jersey Community.  There were two viewings, Friday evening and Saturday morning, and the lines were out the door and down the block for both events.  It is obvious to me that Joe B and Joe C lived well-lived lives.  The number of people who love them and care for them and honor them in their passing was an indication of these lives lived well.  So, I have been thinking a lot, on 6/26/2021, about how I am hoping for a life well-lived.  No, friends, I am not dying, nor do I wish to think about my mortality, but I DO want to live my life in a way that I will be remembered as someone who helped others, cared for others, and, yes, made others laugh and maybe feel a little bit better.  I guess I hope that I live life well enough to be thought of as highly as my friends Joes.  We sometimes can fall into the here and now, the "what's in it for me."  But I hope I can focus on doing good, living well, and making a difference.

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