My Obituary

While on my run last night I wondered what my obituary would say. I thought about asking someone to write one for me to see.

Immediately I thought that would be pretty egotistical. It felt as if I would be begging for good things to say about me.

So I asked myself the question. Can I write my own obituary? It would be a great exercise for sure.

And so… I did.

Who was Jimmy Perez and who was he to others?

A simple man with some complex thoughts indeed. He was not satisfied with the life he was supposed to live according to society. He lived confused and rebelled early in his years. Some gave up on him becoming a successful man, much less a man within the law. For the first half of his life he was an outsider, the black-sheep, an outlaw, an angry young man full of pain. Jimmy might have not had the perfect childhood, but overall it was not a bad one. In his twenties Jimmy decided to change his life in fear that if he didn’t, he would end up dead or in prison. From this point on, Jimmy became extremely hungry with life. He began to embark in a never-ending quest for meaning, purpose, greatness, peace, and self-love. 

His quest was far from perfect. He battled many demons within. He coped in many ways by trying to help others see that there is another way to live, rather than the downhill spiral many live in, as he surely did early on. He always felt he had a calling for helping others. He always gave his firstborn Isaiah credit for saving his life. He changed to be a better example, a better man for him than he was in his early years. When he had JJ and Gabriel, his quest became that much more solid.

Jimmy left a great legacy to his children. One of struggle, courage, discipline, and resilience. He always tried to instill a different relationship with failure and struggles to help his children after he was gone. Jimmy wrote over 100 articles contemplating life with his son’s in mind and even wrote his children a book. He spoke often of momentum mori (meditating on death). He always said it gave him perspective and reminded him to live each day like you were dying.

Although Jimmy attempted to change many people in this world, he always knew he could only really change himself. Jimmy accomplished everything he always wanted to. He figured he would be forgotten like many, but he strived to live on in some small way within his most precious creation, his three sons. 

Jimmy gave us a great example of change. If you ever feel like you’re not living the life you are supposed to be living according to your own heart, you can change it. He proved this time and time again. He at times made the journey seem effortless, but in truth, it took him many years for him to become whom we remember today. 

Jimmy would not want folks to mourn him, he would call you all selfish for doing so, claiming you cry for you, not for me. He would remind you that he is not sad or in pain. His only wish and hope after his death is for him to be able to kiss and hug his boys. (writing that last sentence made me weep like a child). 

Jimmy left this world unlike most, with no regrets. He always knew this day would come. He also knew that sooner or later his name would be a faint thought. However, his only dying request to you all was, for you not to forget that at any given time you can stop, say no more, and change your entire life if you chose to.

Jimmy has left three sons, a wife, and a faithful dog here amongst you all. He had faith that he said and did everything in his power to prepare you for the coming chapters of your life. He promised his kiddos and wife that the best of their life has yet to happen. 

Y’all have a great day, live responsibly and always remember that Jimmy loved you all deeply.