This morning, on my way to work, driving down Sussex, I noticed a memorial that had been erected outside the Lester B. Pearson building. From the brief glance I got of it, it was a multi-speed bicycle, completely spray-painted a mat white. This was tied to a lamp-post, along with a large wreath, some ribbons etc. This was the site where an STO driver hit and killed a cyclist. It seemed to be a remembrance of this woman's death. I know no other details of this person's life, and not many seem to have been handed out. By contrast, I recalled another death, that of a young girl struck by a drunk driver, who was also cycling. The outrage poured out as a result of this tragedy was focused on making this girl the poster child against drunk driving. The father of this young girl was quoted as saying that, by contrast, he didn't want his daughter's life defined by the moment or method of her death, but rather, that her life be measured by her accomplishments and her potential.
As a Stoic, I was reminded that death is not an evil thing, whether it is a sudden, 'un-natural' death, like these two were victims of, or one that come after a long life. It isn't death that makes a life worthwhile, but the life that led up to it. The moment by moment, choice by choice building of our lives, the victories and losses, the valiant stands and courageous retreats, these are what make a life. Not the death.
So many have said "I would die for this," as if it would make their commitment meaningful. Better to say, "I will live for this," and bend all of your will and energies to it. Then, when death comes, your life will have been lived, and you will have fulfilled the promise you were born to.
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