What Will They Remember?

Today, I can’t quite describe my state of reflection, but I am going to try…

Stories, history, a hunger to know more has always been a deep longing for me. I love to learn period. But also for the purpose of looking at the experiences of the past, gathering and applying lessons that we can improve upon, and passing on knowledge, heritage, culture, etc.

So my reflecting today is this: What will I leave as a legacy? What will they remember?

A few reasons why:

I recently was listening to a podcast, and this was the “talking point.” The man being interviewed has written a book about being his brother’s main caretaker during his battle with cancer. (note: I haven’t read the book yet, but I have it and can’t wait too read! It is by Allen Levi, “The Last Sweet Mile.”) Both the author and his brother were bachelors, and both have really amazing life stories. The author didn’t actually intend for his writing to be published. He actually was writing it for his family, to share the journey and the moments they had together, wisdom and laughter shared… things that should be passed on for the sake of God’s Kingdom!

Another reason I believe I become reflective this time of year, is there is a big transition that my heart and mind have to make. That transition is going from having memories with Lucy, too having none. We had lots of holidays and special days together, but our last big family one was July 4th, and it was bittersweet. We all gathered where she was comfortable, and had a low-key celebration 😊 This time year brings a great need for deep breaths, the preparation for back to school, finishing up summer vacations, the traditions, the special days that I dreamed and hoped for, and now I wonder and try to imagine what she would be doing.

And when I start thinking about all the above, I can’t help but think of how grateful I am to have known all four of my grandparents, and two of my great grandmothers. How blessed I am that I know my great grandparents and grandparents prayed for the future generations. How each one of my grandparents left me with their own individual legacy and heritage, and then together, a legacy and heritage to pass on. There is so much to learn in the presence of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends of all ages, don’t let this opportunity pass by!

My heritage ranges from barbers to tobacco farming to furniture/carpenter to textile mills to banking to entrepreneurs. I can easily see where I have inherited certain personality traits from them 😊 Like, my Paw-Paw’s thinking, “don’t tell me I can’t do something, because that just makes me more determined to do it.” Or my Nannie’s, talent for using baggies to pack or store or basically solve any issue that needs to be collected and labeled. Or my Grandma’s love of Raisinets and miniature candy bars. Or my Al-Paw’s love of pictures and cameras. They all shared stories, taught me lessons, showed me how to do things, took me places, included me in their lives. I know I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am today, if they had not done these things.

So what will my legacy be? What will they remember?

I ask this of myself a lot. When I’m cleaning out things. When I’m making decisions. When I am participating in traditions. When I am with my niece and nephew. When I am with any children. When I am thinking of friendships and relationships.

I hope this answer will ultimately be Jesus! The things that follow are of far less value, because if the answer if Jesus, then the legacy will be a legacy of true love and value, welcoming, eternal, and not about me.

The things that follow, the things to be found: books, journals, memories, pictures, history, artwork, treasures… I hope these will be like those who have gone before me. I hope they will point upward, maybe even cause some reflection, laughter, thirst to know and learn more, and provide many memories.

Now, what about you?

(Today’s picture is of the candle outside my door, “The candle is lit,” that is the signal that I am writing. This is my story, this is my song. Live in the INDEED!)

Life book of the week: Legacy of a Pack Rat, by Ruth Bell Graham (also could easily be the title of a book I could write about how many news articles and articles about family history I would really like to keep😂)