Take a lesson from Les: Live a life others treasure

Wow. Just wow. Most of the obituaries and eulogies we read extol the virtues of the dearly beloved. When someone passes away we usually go long on compliments and stifle criticism. But not in the case of Mr. Leslie Ray Charping, of Galveston, Texas.

His daughter, who penned the scathingly honest obituary of her dad, said her father always hated liars, and she felt “it would have been offensive to portray him as anything other than who he was.”

Leslie Ray Charping was born Nov. 20, 1942, and died Jan. 30, 2017, “which was 29 years longer than expected and much longer than he deserved,” according to the daughter-authored obituary.

She continues: he left in his wake. I grieved for a life so misspent. I grieved that, apparently, no one could reach Les. And I grieved for those who are living a life like Les and are not being a loving husband, father and good friend.

It’s too late for Les, but not for you and me. It may sound weird, but I recommend writing your own obituary now, while you’re still alive. Write it the way you want people to remember you at your funeral. Then start living that way today.

Take a life lesson from Les. Live a life you and your family will treasure, not trash.