What's important in this journey we are all on called life?

Is it our job titles and the power and respect attached to our professions, careers and employment pursuits that make a difference?

Or, are the salaries we receive, the cars we drive and the apartments and homes we live in factors in determining our worth and our happiness?

Recently a friend's father passed away. He was, in more ways than one, a mentor of mine and a father figure.

Pete De Pietro, who spent his entire life in Freemansburg, lived a life for others. A U.S. Navy veteran, he spent 25 years employed by Bethlehem Steel. During his time there, he served as president of United Steelworkers Local 2600 and as president of the Lehigh Valley Labor Council.

He also was elected and served as a councilman in the Borough of Freemansburg, was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Federation of Injured Workers and the Bethlehem Steelworkers Archives and pushed for the creation of the Lehigh Valley Workers Memorial, located in Bethlehem.

He was a consummate advocate for the rights of others and believed in justice and equity for his fellow man.

As if the above were not enough, Pete volunteered his time endlessly with Musikfest, the Celtic Fest, Chriskindlmarkt and the Live Bethlehem Christmas Pageant.

Even more amazing, Pete was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all who knew and loved him. He never shied away from listening to the concerns of those in need and always made every effort possible to highlight the talent and worth in each person he met and knew.

His death has impacted me and led me to ask a number of questions of myself that previously were mere passing thoughts.

As I sat in the funeral home and the church recently, watching the countless individuals pay their respects to Pete, I began to sense that one man, imparting small, solitary acts of kindness throughout his life, can and did make a lasting impression on the lives of others.

As I get older, I begin to realize that life is a little less about who I am and what I want and more about the other person.

What we sometimes do not see or understand is by merely listening to another person and lifting that person up by simple words of encouragement or by giving our time to help another person in need that we can, in effect, bring the other person to a sense of hope and peace.

Mother Teresa said, "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier."

There is not doubt in my mind Pete did just that for those who came in contact with him. I certainly left his presence each and every time feeling fortunate, privileged and special.

What can we do for others, while we push forward in life?

Let's leave them in a "better and happier" state.

Let's listen with our hearts and give with our hands.

Let's lead by following and follow by leading.

Although Pete will be missed by all who knew him and were the recipient of his humor, persistent advocacy and selflessness, his memory and the difference he made in the lives of others will live on.

His kindness, his concern and his passion for bettering each life he knew very well will inspire similar acts of goodness in those who are still living.

Despite the rather chaotic nature of the world we live in today and the struggle and challenges some of us encounter daily, we each are invested with a unique opportunity daily to give and positively influence others.

Start today, if you can.

Large or small, quietly or loudly – live a life for others.

Mark Reccek

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press