The Secret of Eternal Life

Yesterday was the 100 birthday of Johnny Mercer, famous lyricist and singer and it brought something to mind. As Westerners we are deftly afraid of death we do not want to die and we will do anything to prolong life.
We see death as the end and it probably is at least from the physical side true but there is more to life than the physical life and people like Johnny Mercer teach us this. Mr. Mercer has been physically dead for the last 38 years but his spirit lives on through what he gave to the world.
I often find myself whistling or singing one of his tunes like " Blues in the Night", "Jeepers Creepers" or "Moon River" every time this happens whether it is me or Tony Bennett Johnny Mercer lives.
This also comes to mind when I think of Michael Jackson and think that this rare human being was ageless, timeless and will always live in the hearts and minds of the world. His music,manner and style will never be repeated. Michael lives on.
We all will live on when we depart the physical world through everyone who knew us even if if it was just one person.
I often think of this because my father as the result of a stroke is in a nursing home. Physically he is not the person that he once was but I will always remember him in the way he has been. When he finally departs this world he will live on . I remember his wit, strength, compassion and sense of humor all of which I have inherited. To know me is to know him and through me and everyone who knew him he will live on.Do you know who told me this? My father.