What Would Your Legacy Be?

Recently, while listening to someone I admire spoke of the word Legacy!  “What would you like your legacy to be, when God has called you home”.  I thought about it over the last couple of weeks, even putting this question out to friends of mine, letting them know that once I gathered the information, privacy would be a priority.  No personal names mentioned in my article, rather, what they had to say.  Out of the 10 people I reached out to, only three responded.  I loved what was said and here are the thoughts of a few, with their permission:

1. When I was young and ambitious, I did think about what legacy I wanted to leave. Unfortunately, those thoughts centered around what others would think of me and any achievements I accomplished, which was self-centered.  As an athletic coach, I was always trying to inspire athletes to achieve very loft goals.  I had always hoped that my interest in being a winner would rub off on others, and we would all succeed.  This would be “my legacy” for sure.  Although these motivations and successes were very satisfying, my current life now is centered in a different way.  I can honestly say that it is “unimportant” what “people” will say about me.  It is more important what “I” know about myself.  I strive to please God before any others, which will be my lifelong goal.  I know for me that this is what is most important, and I do want to strive to be successful in the way that God wants me to be.  That is the legacy I want above any other.
2. My Legacy., Humm… I never had thought about that before until I turned 65, except for a couple of things. I hope my kids and family remember that I was A LOT OF FUN! I set goals and attained them; ran LA Marathon in “99, walked 100 miles of Camino at 60, 300 at 65, and I am hoping to complete the whole 500 in increments the last 200 by the time I am 70! I was never much of a student, but I can start a few businesses.  Catering Tea Parties “(Teri’s Teas)” from 10 people to 110 (1995-2020), and “TLC” Teri’s Loving Care, an activity and exercise specialist for Seniors in Board and Care Homes.  I want to be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  That is a pretty good legacy to leave I think.
3. I want to be remembered as a person who left something good behind in the hearts of friends, family, and strangers who I may only have met once. Priority, when my name comes to their lips, that they knew how much I loved God, and loved my faith, loved my children and grandchildren, husband, and always praying for souls passed.

Once we leave the ones we love, some may wonder how long the Legacy will be remembered, since, after 2 to 3 generations, memories fade.  What I like to think of, and this is not a plug for Ancestry.com, but because of sites like that, those of us who have the curiosity of the past have a chance to go back in time and have come to life someone we remembered because of their Legacy.  That we can pass on to generation, after generation.  I think it is important to know the past that makes the future brighter and full of hope.

What Would YOUR Legacy Be?

Have a beautiful day!.