Wednesday, August 12, 2009

How will you be remembered?

Yesterday, I sat in Claybar Funeral Home in Orange and listened to friends and family members tell how Dr. Dennis Franklin (The Plant Doctor) touched their lives. It was time of laughter, as one by one, they talked about how kind Dennis was, how great his enthusiasm for life was, how cheerful he always was and how much he loved to laugh.

One of the things that struck me most was how more than one person mentioned that Dennis never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was a man who didn't need to find fault with others. He was too busy being Dennis, a man who had rather encourage than discourage.

That's something worth thinking about, in an age when sarcasm, backbitting and cutting people down has become an art form. Showing others how to be kind, empathetic and gracious is no small legacy.

1 comment:

  1. This is so very true! I'm so glad to hear about Mr. Franklin being that kind of man. There are not enough in the world today. I was brought up that way too. The world seems to be too involved in all the negative behavior. Even the humor is often cruel. Thanks again, Jane!!

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