between the times

This week my mom died. Her memorial service was Wednesday at Hope Lutheran in Fostoria. She died way too young at age 59. Too young. Two of her grandkids won't remember her because they are too young, one will have a small memory of her (she being 5), and the last grandchild who is 19 will remember everything about her life and unfortunately about her death too.
My mom died at 1:15pm. When I heard the time of death I thought about time of birth. Everyone at least in America has a specific time they were born. My son Ethan for example was born at 12:02pm on June 7. It's like a stamp on our lives...a born on date like on the side of a beer bottle. Not to be too morbid here, but we all have a died on date too. We all are living between the times, trying to make the most of the days, hours, minutes and seconds. We are trying to make our lives count as they move toward its inevitable end. The question is for every single one of us is this, "What will our life count for?"
The mayor of Fostoria showed up at the church for the memorial service Wednesday, as did lots of community people; lots of people I didn't even know. I am grateful that I can say that the last fifteen years of my mom's life counted for a lot in her service as a Red Cross director to her community. God allowed her to touch people and meet significant needs around her. I am blessed to have known her and have her as my mom.
What will our legacy be when we die? A selfless life of grace and humility, like the one Jesus led, or a self-indulgent life lived with countless burned bridges and relationships thrown away because they didn't fit?