To the editor:

What is success?

Last Friday’s memorial service for Jonathan Thompson has made an important and lasting impression on my life and on the lives of several others who were in attendance at DeWitt Community Church. The genuine and heartfelt words that his children and grandchildren used to describe their dad and grampa, told about the life of a man who was truly successful.

True and lasting success has nothing to do with how much money you have; how much you have accomplished with your work; how big a house you have; or how fancy a car you drive.

While we may have heard the message that true success is “To laugh often and love much; to win the respect and affection of children; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a little better place; to play and laugh with enthusiasm and to sing with exultation; and to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.” Jonathan’s family witnessed that he lived a successful life.

A friend came up to me after hearing Jonathan’s children share what how much their dad meant to them, and said that he had “ a lot of work to do before he dies. “

Three men shared this week at the golf course that after thinking about Jonathan’s memorial service, they wished they had not spent so much time working and traveling, away from their families. Two women shared that they wondered how their husbands felt, knowing that they do not have the same loving relationship with their children because they had focused on work more than on their family.

Jonathan’s memorial service was a blessing and yet another gift from the life of this humble and successful man.

How will you be remembered?

Bob Hood

Cazenovia