3 Last Wishes

Our Last Wishes

My wife and I signed our last will and testament a few nights ago. It was a legal document witnessed by both our solicitor and his wife. It was purely a precautionary measure, as we were leaving to go abroad on holiday.

I guess we are as prepared as any (faith-filled Christian) for the life hereafter, but certainly  not yet really anticipating leaving this mortal coil.

Signing our will ensures that our loved ones know our predetermined inheritance wishes.

For the beneficiaries, albeit our family, these "last wishes" in the form of a will, are therefore very important. They will help our executors determine a predetermined division and disposal of our earthly property and material assets.

I remember clearly my dad taking these sort of "end of life" preparations to another level. He went to the personal expense and trouble of prepaying his own funeral arrangements. They don't make them like that anymore or if they do they're a rare breed.

Three Last Wishes

Alexander the Great, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed.

With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests,  his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his final adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last.

He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail."

With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

1) "My first desire is that", said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin."

2) After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury".

3) The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin".

The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dared bring the question to their lips.. Alexander's favourite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart.

"O king, we assure you that all your wishes will be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said:"I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt.

1) "I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor on this earth can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted."

2) "The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the path to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life greedy for power, earning riches but yet cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth."

3) About my third wish, of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world".

With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last. . . .

Some things to ponder

Remember, your health is your wealth. It  is in your own hands, look after it.

Wealth is only meaningful if you can share it with others.

What you do for yourself, dies with you. You can't take it with you. However, what you do for others will live for ever.

#True riches.
#True Significance
#Our Legacy