We all die. Listening to Take me Home by John Denver on the way home today, I reminisced about visiting my great grandma in Southern California just before she died.

Virginia mothered 9 children and had a huge extended family. She was old and on her way out, and everyone was visiting to say their goodbyes.

Even at 12 years old, I was vividly aware of the absolute mortality of the situation while spending those last few days with her. I knew it was my last visit, our last conversation, the last hug.

Seeing our life on the grand scale makes you reflect. You want to enjoy life and spend time with your tribe. You want to have fun, to feel alive, to love.

But what really gives us meaning? While listening to those country roads I realized it’s your contribution to humanity. It’s the donation of your time and energy on this earth to the progression of our species. One can derive meaning from her/his effort towards creating a better future.

There will be an after, after us, for others. Meaning comes with handing the torch.