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In 1897, Mark Twain sent the following note to the London correspondent of the New York Journal, “The report of my death is greatly exaggerated.”

The famous author’s statement informing the newspaper of their error was a humorous response to a serious mistake. Then, in 1907, the New York Times mistakenly published his obituary. Mark Twain said, “I will make an exhaustive investigation of this report that I have been lost at sea. If there is any foundation to the report, I will at once apprise the public.”

Following Twain’s actual death in 1910, President Taft stated, “Mark Twain gave pleasure — real intellectual enjoyment — to millions, and his works will continue to give such pleasure to millions yet to come.” 

One morning in 1888, a Swedish chemist named Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who amassed a fortune from the manufacture of weapons, awoke to read his obituary in the newspaper.

Alfred’s brother had died and a French reporter mistakenly wrote the obituary about the wrong brother. Nobel was not only disturbed by the error, he was shocked to read how his life would be remembered.

“The dynamite king,” as his obituary stated, was also described “as a great industrialist who made an immense wealth from explosives.” As far as the public was concerned, this was the entire purpose of his life.

His true intentions had always been to break down the barriers that separated men and ideas, yet he would only be remembered as a merchant of death. As he read his obituary, Nobel determined the world would know the true meaning and purpose of his life.

Alfred Nobel decided his last will and testament regarding his wealth would show the world his intentions. He set up a fund of about $9 million, specifying how the interest from the money would be used.

Annual prizes were to be awarded to people whose work must have benefited humanity. He died in 1896 and the first Nobel prizes were awarded in 1901. A medal and a cash award are given in five categories – physics and chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace and economics.

I’ve heard it said, “If you get up in the morning and you don’t read your obituary in the newspaper, it’s a good day.” Of course, it is said in jest, but think about it. Each new day is a gift from God. “This is the day the Lord has made,” the Psalmist wrote (118:24).

Every morning we should be thankful to be alive, especially considering the alternative. We have another day of life and breath to make the world a better place in which to live. Helen Keller once said, “I will not just live my life. I will not just spend my life. I will invest my life.” Or, in the words of theologian Matthew Henry, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day.”

— Jan White has compiled a collection of her columns in her book, “Everyday Faith for Daily Life.”