Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you're there.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of leaving a lasting legacy behind. According to the speaker's grandfather, whether it's through creating something tangible like a book, a painting, or a house, or something intangible like planting a garden, it is necessary to leave a mark on the world. The underlying message is that by investing our time and effort into something meaningful, our influence can transcend our physical existence and live on through the impact we have made, ensuring that a part of our soul remains connected to what we have created even after we're gone.

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