What's on your tombstone?

When I read a biography of a man who was in the prime of his life exactly 200 years ago, I wondered, Were people just immensely smarter and more talented than they are today? The bio said the man had been a lawyer, architect, naturalist, linguist, farmer, Governor of Virginia, U.S. Minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice President of the United States and finally the third President of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson was an amazing man. I suspect most of us have elevated him to the greatness of such men as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and whichever modern day president is your favorite.
But the thing about Thomas Jefferson that amazes me is the fact that he was adamant about what would be printed on his tombstone. At his own request "and not a word more" he requested the following: "Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia."
This man, who will certainly always be known as one of America's greatest presidents, obviously valued political and religious freedom and education higher than his other major accomplishments of being Governor, Secretary of State, Vice-President and President of the United States of America.
Freedom and education. That’s what Jefferson held dear. Today, over two hundred years later, we still value them above all else. It reminds me that even when personal or nationwide struggles become mind-boggling we still have to keep our priorities straight.
This week as we celebrate President's Day, let's be hopeful that our nation's presidents always keep freedom, both political and religious, and education in the forefront of what is truly important in this country and in all countries.
Being able to focus on what’s really important can split a major struggle down the middle and make life a lot more palatable. It’s all about seeing the big picture.