Read at the funeral of Annie Holloway

These are the words, adapted and rewritten by me from an anonymous original, read at the funeral today . . .

What matters, when we measure a life?

How can we assess its value?

What matters is not what you bought, but what you built,

not what you got, but what you gave,

not what you owned, but what you shared.

What matters is not your success or fame, 

but the care you showed,

not what you learned, 

but what you were able to pass on and teach.

What matters are the acts of integrity, compassion and courage  

by which you enthused, enriched or empowered others.

What matters is not the memories you held on to,

but the memories you made that live in the hearts of others. 

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident,

it is a matter of choice, something we set ourselves to do.

Choose to live a life that matters.