The Value One Life Can Have | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Value One Life Can Have

In life, we only get one shot, one chance to make your mark and positively affect those around you. My uncle, even in death, taught me the value of life and the impact you can make on others.

19
The Value One Life Can Have
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash


In life, we are taught to make our mark, do something worthwhile, and change other people's lives for the better. As this has been instilled into my brain since the moment I could speak, I kind of swept this idea under the rug and focused mainly on my own goals. Throughout my life, I have been very close to my uncle, Mike. We saw each other on most major holidays and had the ongoing debate of OU v. OSU. (I had the 89-18 win/loss record to use as ammo, so it really was not a debate in my opinion.) He lived in Oklahoma City, while I lived in rural Oklahoma, so I was not too familiar with his personal life. All I knew was that every time I was around my Uncle Mike, I was happy and full of laughter.

In October of 2019, Mike and his wife were in a fatal car accident in Aspen, Colorado on their way home from vacation. They were rushed to the hospital in Breckinridge, Colorado. Mike had severe head trauma and suffered extreme internal bleeding. He passed away that morning with his wife by his side. When I got the news later that afternoon, I was walking back to my dorm on the University of Oklahoma campus. At first, I did not hear what my father was saying. My ears seemed to be ringing and I instantly became nauseated. I was shocked, standing in disbelief of the news I had just received. I started crying, thinking about all the times we had shared and all the heartfelt memories we had made together. I made arrangements to head home to be with my family during this difficult time.

As I headed into the church for my uncle's funeral, I took notice that I did not recognize a single face there, besides my immediate family. While we took our seats in the family section of the funeral home, I took a glance around the massive bowl-style seating arrangement. There had to be at least 800 people in attendance, standing room only. During the funeral, numerous people gave testimonies to Mike's amazing character, giving heart, and childlike happiness. Unbeknownst to me, Mike was involved heavily in his church youth group, despite not having any of his own children in attendance. He gave to numerous charities, donated his time at local soup kitchens, and worked hard to provide for his family day in and day out. My Uncle Mike was the epitome of using your life to make someone else's better.

My Uncle Mike left a legacy that I have decided to take upon myself. Though he was taken from this earth much too soon, he did the most he could with the time he was given. I believe in making other's lives better. I believe in having empathy, kindness, and caring about others and their situations. Compassion is very prominent in this story and in life. Although one life does seem minute in the grand scheme of things, the impact one can make on others is astounding. In the world we live in today, we need more people to care about others and be more willing to help them. We need to empower ourselves by empowering others.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

196247
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18463
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460566
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28145
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments