Reflection by Chuck on his final days
“…And speaking of Dorothy Day (and thinking about my cancer), she said in the postscript to her autobiography, “It is not easy, always, to remember the ‘duty of delight’… but I have said to friends as I contemplate the life I have and the end that is coming, ‘It’s not so hard, either, when one has been graced by such good work and good friends.’
To me, it is the recognition that we are never without a meaningful choice. This is a culture that nearly drowns people with meaningless consumer choices, yet leaves most of them feeling that they are powerless in the meaningful affairs of life-but that’s not true. We may not be able to choose the moment of our entry into the world, the circumstances that confront us, the choices available, or the consequences that face us for making them–but we can always decide how we will respond to the choices and challenges we may not have chosen to confront. We can keep hold of the only “possession” that cannot be taken from us: our dignity, integrity, soul, call-it-what-you-will. That is the decision that defines us, the first important “life lesson” we should teach our children. This is the decision I have to make every morning: I can rise and think about what has been done to me, what I have lost…or I can rise and say to myself, “what do I have to work with today-let’s put it to good use.” With gratitude for good work, good friends, and a wonderful family, it’s not a hard choice to make…it’s not hard to remember the ‘duty of delight.'”
–Chuck Matthei, 1948-2002
Typed by Chuck a few days before his death
