I have been thinking a lot about my legacy as of late. I have copied the following explanation of legacy from the website of a lifelong friend of mine, Rob Stewart. Rob is much more in touch with "feelings," and caring about the feelings of other people. I'm more like; shut-up, suck-it-up, get-over-it, and if that doesn't work, I HIT YOU. Anyway, I thought you might like to get his perspective on the subject before I go off on it. Enjoy!
"When most people hear the word legacy, they think of their material possessions. For some, that may be an estate of great wealth or a family business. For others, their entire material legacy will consist of a cardboard box filled with a few personal items and fading photos. But rich or poor, we each have another legacy we carry deep within our hearts and minds. It’s a priceless and irreplaceable legacy, a legacy of childhood memories, wisdom, and lessons learned along our life’s path.
Some of the greatest lessons I ever learned I learned from my grandfather while fishing. We would sit along the shoreline of a lake named Loraine, just below the cottage he had built with his own hands. With our lines cast out into the water and our eyes focused on the bobbers, we waited for that telltale dip that signaled a fish had taken our bait. While we sat there casting soft shadows in the early evening light, the smoke of his cigar keeping the mosquitos at bay, I would ask questions, and he would dispense wisdom. Wisdom gained along the path of his life’s journey. Some he would share in a couple of words, some in the form of stories. Those stories were always the best part of the evening, and I cherish them to this day.
Now, I ask you; when you were reading that account of the time I spent with my grandfather, didn’t it trigger memories of similar times you spent with your father, mother or grandparent? We all have them. We all have stories and family histories that our elders passed down while fishing, playing chess, or sitting around the kitchen table, stories of adventure, bravery, love, and sacrifice. These stories carry within them more true and lasting value to those we love than any bank account ever will.
I placed sunset pictures throughout this site as a reminder that we create our legacy daily, and that our days are numbered. The sunset symbol has to do with a James Joyce short story that I read back in college. It was about a man who has reached the autumn of his life, where I now find myself. He had just been honored at a dinner for his life's many accomplishments. Joyce, being a master of symbolism, closes the story with; “The time had come for him to set out on his journey westward.” The vision is painted in the reader’s mind. Westward to where the sun sets. No matter what we do, how fast we run, the sun still races past us to close our day. From the moment we are born, we begin our journey westward into our setting sun. Therefore, at each day’s sunset, be mindful of what that day has brought you and record what it taught you, that you and those that follow, may be blessed."
-Rob Stewart https://lifelegacyjournal.com/
Now, wasn't that a nice break from my usual slap up-side the head? Yeah, I thought so, but now it's back to Whamm time.
What he was trying to say in a very polite and respectful way is; pull your head out of your butt and tell your kids and grandkids the essential things you have learned during your life. Share those stories of your parents and grandparents overcoming the hardships of life. Tell them what kept them anchored and sustained them during those times. And DO IT NOW! Because it's later than you think dummy.
There, now don't you feel better? . . . I know I do.
I am Whamm, may those with wisdom hear.
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