This straightforward truth I recently came across is surely the basis for any number of explanations on how we ought live our lives. And while it got me thinking about the most important people in my own life and the gate I possess as I merrily stroll toward the ultimate destination, it got me thinking about the concept of the "wine collection".
Let's assume that at some point I do arrive at my ultimate destination. Let's further assume that it possesses a cognitive framework. Let's further assume that there will be an opportunity, maybe even a requirement, that I assess what I left in my wake back in that other dimension. I wonder if I'll be forced to reflect on the unopened bottles of wine I left behind.
"And what remains behind from your journey, Tom?"I wonder if my inquisitor would be disappointed with me if at any time during my response I told them: "Quite a few unopened Aussie Shiraz, a lot of 2nd growth Bordeaux, and a number of cases of California bottlings."
Would I be judged poorly for even considering the wine I left behind to be something worthy of mentioning as I reflect on what remained of my short time here? Or would my Next Level Inquisitor insist that I don't understand the question?
Maybe I'd be admonished for having left behind, unused, any item best used to accompany the building of authentic affection and devoted love. If this is the case then maybe we wine lovers ought to keep our eye on the real prize: accumulating wines to be opened and consumed and eventually completely finished in the service of creating human bonds.
Outside of managing directors of Auction Houses, who would look merrily on a large collection of wine left behind when we arrive at our ultimate destination? Isn't it somewhat sad? Or maybe it's not so sad. Maybe it's not so sad if the bottles left behind after we depart merely represent an over optimistic view of the time the newly departed would have had for sharing, building bonds, and having wine in place to lubricate those gestures of affection and love.
The holidays are soon upon us. They almost always mark the time when we look to gather our friends and family and celebrate our connections to each other and our fellow man, not to mention our spiritual lives. More often than not we haul out wines from our collections more often and more furiously to accompany the celebrations. That's good. As it should be.
But I woke up this morning thinking that if indeed "only authentic affection and devoted love of the human sort survives behind each of our arrivals at life's ultimate destination," then I need to look well beyond the holiday season if I'm going to accompany the delivery of affection and devoted love with my Bordeaux, Shiraz and California gems. I need to use more time and find more places to use these simple items as an accompaniment to leaving behind the only thing that does get left behind.
