Soulful Sunday: Write Your Own Obituary
Be the person your future self—and your family—will be proud to remember. A reflection exercise that shapes how you live today.
Every day, we have an opportunity to start over. To make amends. To become a better person and the greatest version of ourselves.
When someone dies, we write an obituary. Family members gather. And the one who types fast, or has computer skills, or can write is chosen to do it. In this case, that honor was bestowed upon me. And it became a beautiful project to manage, with input from everyone that made it better and richer with each round of editing.
In the process of writing my dad’s obituary, I told my sister, Shane, “We should all write our own obituaries.”
Why? Because it forces us to look at our lives with clarity. Funeral homes send forms. You sit down with someone who knows all the dates and details—in this case, my mom, his wife of just shy of 55 years. You list achievements, highlight character, and name those who came before and those left behind.
It’s good to write it now.
1. First and foremost, to become the person whose obituary you’d be proud of.
2. Second, to alleviate your family. They can read it, update it, and say nice things.
This week’s Soulful Sunday post is not a video. Just something to think about. A character shaper. A way to live the Corelife every day—centered on what truly matters, open to serving others.
For those of you in any blended family kind of situation, you know the threads of connection and pull of time. The good news? In Heaven, everyone will be one big happy family.
I’ll see you there, Dad.
I love you always. Six years was not nearly enough. Thank you for everything. I miss you so much already.
Happy Heavenly birthday. (May 23, 2025)
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
—Mary Oliver
P.S. This week, thank you for grace. That photo of us? It was such a fun day in Oregon. And if you are interested, here is the obituary we put together of a remarkable man who served God, family, country and community.
https://www.ohairwards.com/obituary/Charles-Harreld