What is the Meaning of Life?
Walking and Talking in the Morning
Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 44 seconds
Today, I woke up earlier than usual but felt congested due to hay fever. Despite my desire to sleep more, I resisted and got up when my alarm went off at 5:30. As I left my apartment, I ran into Jim outside of The Gourmet Deli. We exchanged a few words as we do every day.
During a conversation with Jim, he asked me a question I have debated since Jan’s passing: life’s meaning. Although Jim had to attend Catholic morning mass at St. Michael’s soon, I decided to share an answer with him. Instead of delving into the details of the insights I gained from books or conversations with Rabbi Renee, I quoted Charlie Padavano, a character in Hello Beautiful, who gave a similar answer to his daughter Sylvie. He said, “We’re all interconnected and separated from the world by our own edges. Seeing this interconnection reveals the beauty of life.”
After sharing the meaningful quote, Jim and I parted ways at the intersection of Miln and Alden with a cheerful farewell. Despite the humid weather, I felt a sense of light as I turned left and walked away. With Jan by my side, I discovered a new way to cope with my grief that didn’t involve finding a new partner. Instead, I found fulfillment through volunteering, serving on the Board of Trustees of Bridges, making new connections, and actively participating in my faith community’s social action committee. By helping others, I have found purpose and meaning in my life.
The Jan Lilien Education Fund sponsors ongoing sustainability and environmental awareness programs. Gifts made this month; I will match dollar-for-dollar. All donations are tax-deductible.
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Jan Was a Messenger from the Most High
Have you ever experienced the sensation of being lost in life, as if you were trying to solve an intricate puzzle without any clear direction? This is precisely how I felt. It seemed as though I was given a jigsaw puzzle at birth but without a picture to guide me. Some pieces fit together easily, while others appeared misplaced, leaving me feeling disoriented. As I grew older, some parts of the puzzle seemed to change, no longer fit where they were once placed. My life was messy before I met Jan, and I struggled to make things work. While reminiscing about this period in my life, I was reminded of Lawrence Kushner's touching poem "Jigsaw," which provided insight into the meaning of life.
