“The Value of a Single Human Life”
“The Value of One Life”
Jonathan
Colchester, VT
The value of any one life is one of the greatest and most important things we can consider, but more critical than even the value itself is the appreciation of it.
One of the most important people in my life who has grown to mean much to me is my brother Mathew, who is ten years older than myself. His life and its influence on mine are some things I am enormously grateful for, and life without my brother ever having existed is extremely difficult to imagine. Mathew was always supportive of me and what I did, encouraging my efforts in all of my pursuits. He was a very fun person to hang around, and I enjoyed my times with him greatly. He let me watch him, whatever he was doing. For years, Mathew inspired me to try accomplishing things I always dreamed of doing and to learn to understand the things I love and appreciate. He also encouraged me in all things creative. If Mathew had not been born, not only would he have missed his chance to live, but my life and many other lives would be left very different and much emptier.
One unique attribute of Mathew which influenced my life in many positive ways is his musical talent. My brother played the piano, violin, electric guitar, and composed for all of these as well as creating music electronically. He was part of the Vermont Youth Orchestra and also participated in and won awards at several competitions. His musical accomplishments have encouraged me to grow in this area as well – for example, he suggested that I join an orchestra, which I did, although much later. He inspired me to learn to play all three musical instruments that he played, even giving me violin lessons during COVID. To envision a life without Mathew’s influence would result in a picture radically drier than my fortunate reality.
More recently, my brother’s life means much to me in an another, entirely different way – he has been hospitalized for the serious mental illness of schizophrenia since June. To some people, this may suggest that his life would be better left unlived. However, it has only encouraged my appreciation for Mathew’s life all the more. Although he has a serious disability, Mathew’s influence on my life and his life itself mean even more to me, due to the enormous, positive effect he has had on my life and for the hope that his condition will improve.
I greatly appreciate my brother’s life and qualities, and it encourages the belief that every life matters, and should.
