We wake up, get work, go back home and rinse and repeat – or at least it feels that way sometimes.  In truth, there are a million moments in between where we interact with others and we can’t help but wonder what folks will think about us once we aren’t showing up, perhaps once we are gone. Some very thoughtful members of the community share their thoughts on this with us below.

ROBERT CAIN

I would hope that the story people tell about me is that I lived a life of service, of working towards greater unity, fairness, and equality. Storytelling is a powerful medium, and I tried to tell stories that uplifted and united people and gave them hope for a brighter future. Read More>>

Allen Zhang

I hope people will say that I was someone who always prioritizes people first. I know so many projects and productions that turned out great, but had to burn out and traumatize so many of their team to do so. To me, no piece of art is worth the wellbeing of the people involved in making it. Read More>>

Charlsey Miller

I’ll just answer this with one more lyric from The Flower; which is all about looking back, looking forward, changing, and standing still. Read More>>

Ivo Spirov

One that I never stopped being a kid. I think this childlike wonderment is something that can unfortunately sometimes diminish as we grow older, but in my opinion is invaluable. Don’t forget how to be a kid. Read More>>

Sarah Cortright

I hope the story people tell about me isn’t so much about what I did, but about how I treated people. I want them to remember that I gave everyone—the unhoused pet owners I met through Underdog, wealthy families in Orange County, and the farm folks I grew up around—the same respect, attention, and compassion when it came to their pets. Read More>>

Kelsi Umeko

I hope the legacy I leave behind is one that people would say “she loved others well.” My faith is built on the principle of loving God and loving others wholeheartedly. So for me, that would be the most amazing thing for people to remember me by. Read More>>

Huanxi Jiang

I hope people remember me as someone who was kind and brought a little happiness to their day. Someone who cared and made them feel noticed. I’d like them to say I was real, creative, and helped them see the good in the small things. Basically, I want my story to be about love, good moments, and living life in a way that feels right. Read More>>

Carolina Takagi

I hope people say I lived with courage, compassion and integrity. That I moved through the world with an open heart, and used my voice to speak truth. That I turned my pain into purpose, my questions into art, and my presence into something others could feel safe in. I hope they say I helped others feel seen. Read More>>

Anais Babajanian

I hope people share how I helped them see themselves and/or their situation differently. I hope they share questions that I asked them or observations that I shared that made them shift their assumptions and expand their realm of possibilities. Read More>>

Daisy Close

When I’m gone, I ultimately hope people can remember me as a person with such love, passion, and strength. I want to be someone other people look up to as inspiration for why they should value their life and goals. Read More>>

Belen Riverol

That I was very ambitious and resilient, you can dream as big as you want that there’s ALWAYS gonna be a way. It’s up to you if you strong enough to face the difficulties. But you can make it anywhere you want in life Read More>>