This month, we opted to ask a very different kind of question to our Expert Panel here at Low Carb Luxury. In this last year, we've seen the loss of so many people that seemed to mirror our world. Since last Easter, we've lost Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando, Jerry Orbach, Ray Charles, and of course, Johnny Carson. And so many others... some famous; some heroes only to their own families. After the death of Johnny Carson last month, and the ensuing tributes, we got to thinking about how we'd like to be remembered...

Have you ever wondered about your own funeral? How many people will attend? And what do you imagine they will say about your life? What if you could write your own epitaph?

Consider that how you'd answer such questions might give you a better idea of what's important now. When one thinks about their own legacy, one is inspired to build it. We hope that each of you can take a cue from this exercise and answer that question for yourselves.

Several people we asked told us that they'd like to see how we (Neil and Lora) would answer this question as well. So we'll include our own answers to be fair...

From Fred Pescatore, M.D.
The Centers For Integrative and Complementary Medicine
Author of The Hamptons Diet

I would like to be remembered as someone who broke down barriers:

1. Locally — I would like to be remembered as the physician who put true health and wellness above commercialism and broke down the "establishment" status quo at the governmental level.
   
   
2. Globally — I would like to be remembered as a "regular doc" who broke down barriers to caring and wellness to those much less fortunate with simple improvements in hygiene and health care delivery... getting government out of foreign aid.

From Joy Pape, RN BSN CDE WOCN
Certified Diabetes Nurse Educator

She loved.   She told the truth.   She was a Joy to be with.

From Andrew S. DiMino
President, CarbSmart, Inc.

For me this is simple.

Personally, I would like to be remembered as a good husband to my wife and a good friend to good people.

Business-wise, I would like to be remembered as a good business person who helped introduce a new lifestyle and helped other overweight people (like myself) live a longer, healthier life. If I have helped even just one person, I was a success.

From Pete Maletto
CSO, DynaPure Nutrition

I would want to be remembered as a caring, thoughtful, nurturing, and sensitive individual that put the needs of family and others before mine at all times of my life. That I always realized the importance of a selfless nature and persistent loyalty, never forgetting that you need to be kind to the people you meet on the way up, because you could meet the same people on the way down.

When I stand before my maker at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left in me so I could just tell him, "I used everything you gave me."

From Elaine Payne
President, Low Carb Connoisseur

I would like to be remembered as being a good wife, a good mother, and an honest business woman who never gave up in the face of adversity.

From Gil Wilshire, M.D., FACOG
Reproductive Endocrinologist
President and Chief Scientific Officer,
Carbohydrate Awareness Council.

Gil left the world a better place than he found it. He did his best to spread health and happiness. He saw "problems" as opportunities, and sought solutions through humor and intuitive insight. He lived life richly and appreciatively in-the-moment. Despite the vicissitudes and tribulations of life, he maintained an attitude of gratitude and humility.

God: Please grant me the ability to live up to my potential!

From Jonny Bowden, M.A., C.N., C.N.S.
Certified Nutrition Specialist

As someone who was warm, funny, witty, loving, sexy, generous, giving, motivating and inspiring.

From Lora Ruffner
Editor In Chief, Low Carb Luxury Magazine

Mostly, I would like to be remembered as someone who was passionate for life. I would like the giver of my eulogy to be able to say something like this:

"Lora was someone who never did anything small. When she made a commitment to a project, a cause, or a person, she made it with everything in her — her time; her dedication; and her heart. She never stopped learning, never stopped sharing, never stopped loving, and never gave up on something she believed in passionately."

It remains to be seen whether or not I can live up to such a sentiment, but it's my goal to do just that. My wish is to learn patience, self-reliance, self-confidence, and balance...

Mostly I wish to be a good friend to those I love, for to live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. It’s a bit like the "Butterfly Effect" — we often fail to realize how a simple action sets other things in motion, as simple things often do. On the other hand, it's nice to know that I probably won't be remembered for letting the dishes "go" once in awhile.

From Neil Beaty
Executive Editor, Low Carb Luxury Magazine

Neil left this world a well-respected man. He had an impact on everyone he met, for better or worse. He was known as a man who could accomplish anything, when he put his all into it.

Too bad he died so young. He really should have tried harder.