I just finished a sci-fi book, called All These Worlds. In the book, a leading character is lamenting the loss of a friend and how those in his village seemed to move on with their lives soon after his death. "Archimedes had mattered. He’d made a huge difference to the lives of the people there, and I found it offensive somehow that he was so completely and so soon relegated to the past."
On Goodreads, I added a comment to this, saying, "One of the deeper lessons of life is that most of us are here and gone, and the memories that rest with friends and loves ones are all that's left, until they're gone, too. So enjoy the ride, because our presence is fleeting."
That may not be something we all want to absorb. I think what drives many to practice certain religious faiths is the wish that we somehow carry on in perpetuity. While that's a nice idea, I think the truth is simpler. So make life better for those around you and for yourself. Live well, and recognize that the journey through life is what matters. It won't be long after we're gone that our presence fades from memory. Soon, those who remember us fondly are gone as well. Maybe the good lives we led will have some subtle echo in a part of humanity and make life better, but for the most part, we're here and then we're gone. Even great philosophers, leaders and humanitarians aren't remembered by most. C'est la vie.
Enjoy the ride, folks, and don't trouble yourselves too much over the generations ahead.