What does one life matter?
In the grand scheme of things with over 6 billion people on the planet, odds are it seemingly matters little. That said for the individuals that life touches, the influence on those imparted on association, it is not trivial. Thus it is a matter of perspective where a life matters much more to those close to it. Now, if one expands this small influence through time, the influence might even be felt for ages as life's lessens get passed on from friend to friend from father and mother to son and daughter. Maybe the source of the knowledge gets lost to the ages, but it does not make that knowledge and growth insignificant.
Okay, think that's my 5 minute limit of Zen wisdom...