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Sometimes a person's legacy can be in something they did that influenced another's life, for good or bad; as a shining example, or as cautionary tale. Someone very dear to me was lost 20 years ago, and I think of her everyday. She has left a mark on me that has changed my life for the better, although not in the way that most people would expect. Her memory holds a mirror to my face and allows me to see myself in stark clarity. Because of her, I can see what could be, and sometimes she saves me from myself.
I hope that someone will remember me in a way that helps them in some way in their life, or maybe inspires them to be strong and rise to their personal challenges. I think that's the best I can hope for, and that's enough.
As we age, we often begin to reminisce and consider this and that from our past. The things we regret doing. The opportunities we missed. The things we wished we doubled down on. The things we avoided that we're extremely fortunate we did.
I just got back from a house party at the house of a gentleman in his 60s I've known for many years. He runs a country deli, making most of his income off of tenderloin biscuits and fried chicken lunches, but he is an extremely well-connected man in our community. He comes from a "fine old family," and his brother was also there tonight. His brother is prominent executive in Nashville. They were talking about the heritage and legacy of the family name. Neither have any sons - five daughters between them.
At this age, they're beginning to think of their posterity. What they leave behind. What people think of them and what they've done with their lives. Their lives are mostly written. In general, they seem satisfied. Many people age with many regrets.
What do you want to leave behind? What do you want people to think about you? What do you THINK you're REALLY leaving behind?
what am i leaving behind?
nothing
the essence of who i am, my soul i take with me and this stays with me. it is eternal. i will romp and play on the other side of the veil, when i get there, surround by love and loved ones, until i decide to come back and do it again.
Fine by me. We are a very very tiny blip in an unimaginably large universe and amount of time.
Yes when you really think about the age of the earth & how many people have come & gone since, you realize not only is one's lifetime a mere nano second in time but that we truly are just one granule of sand on a vast beach. Life is so fast so enjoy it to the best of your abilities and do not squander the time you have-
I don't care about leaving a "legacy" other than being proud of raising two healthy, successful, loving sons.
As to regrets about lost "opportunities" or past mistakes, I have none. Things were not perfect in my life and I made many stupid mistakes, but even one change in my decision making in the past could have changed the trajectory of my life and prevented me from the content life I enjoy now.
I love my kids and grandkids but I have never felt like the mere act of reproduction was worth a lot of credit. The world already has enough people who merely exist. If I have value for my kids it is in setting an example as to how one can grow and achieve beyond the commonplace existence.
There is an affluent local couple here who has donated significantly to the YMCA and other charitable efforts. The YMCA is named the "John and Joe Doe YMCA." While most of us are not that affluent, that's the kind of thing I was thinking of.
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