What does it mean to be great? Does it mean to be famous? Does it mean to be rich? Does it mean to be accomplished in business, or in sports, or in politics, or in popular culture?

I don’t know the answer. I just watched the movie, Gatsby. It has been several years since I read the novel, The Great Gatsby. So, I don’t know if the movie is at all a reflection on the story or the message that the story delivered.

Gatsby was infamous. He was filthy rich. He was mysterious. He was larger than life. And he was charismatic.

In the end, he was murdered. He tried to protect the woman that he loved, and he paid the ultimate price for it. But she did not even mourn his death. She was so interested in self-preservation and in material wealth that she and her husband moved on. All they cared about was their wealth and their lifestyle. And no one came to Gatsby’s funeral. No one cared that he was killed.

Was Gatsby great? I think he probably was. He saw what he wanted, and set his whole life in motion to attain wealth, to impress the girl, and to give her the lifestyle, the fame and the fortune that she wanted. He gave this mission his passion, his soul, and his total effort. And he created something great. Or did he?

The greatest man I have known in my lifetime has passed. I only knew him for what seems now to be only fleeting moments. I did not see him in his glory, but I saw him after. And he was full of love. His whole world revolved around love. He was not perfect. But he loved his wife. He loved his children and his grandchildren. And he loved his mission in life. He inspired young men to be great. To build character. To know God. And to be men for others.

He lived his whole life without a great deal of material wealth. But, when he died, hundreds came to mourn my grandfather’s death. They told me stories. They told me what he meant to them. They told me how he inspired them.

Was my grandfather great? Yes, he was. Why was he great? I don’t know, but here is what I surmise. He believed in his job, his purpose. And he lived it and worked at it with as much effort and enthusiasm as he could. And he made others feel great about themselves. And confident. And taught them to believe in themselves. He selflessly gave of himself and made his mark on the world.

He may not be remembered for long. But he will always be remembered by me. He will always be my role model. And he is my inspiration and helps me find my purpose. He will help me make my mark, even if my whole life’s work is only remembered by my children, that will be enough for me to be proud of what I have accomplished and find peace of mind. And maybe one day they will consider me great.