Have you decided on your legacy yet? I have given examples of legacies in previous blog posts including “Leave a legacy” and “What is your legacy from your parents?”
What actions will you take in the next month to start or continue building a legacy for those you love? Here are some examples of legacies my readers have chosen to leave for their families and friends:
• Listen and give loving feedback. B.B.
• My legacy is not only material things but what I have shown my family and friends without words, as a mom, sister, daughter, teacher, and counselor, I have modeled love, loyalty, sense of family, perseverance, getting a good education, and being responsible. A.S.
• As a loving grandparent, as soon as she could talk, I’ve kept a log of my granddaughter’s cute sayings for me to enjoy later on and to give her when she is older. For example, when my husband finally agreed to play “Go Fish” with her, and he lost 2 games, she said “Oh, it’s OK, Pop-Pop, winning isn’t everything” and “maybe you will do better next time.” We also have the tradition of going to Wal-Mart or Target every Christmas season and buying items to take to Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter in Reston, VA. We’ve done that every year with my son, too. Always remember to write your thank you notes! I will also compile a log of all the changes I’ve seen in my lifetime – hope she appreciates reading it someday. A.V.
• Show kindness and concern to those less fortunate around you. Find ways to give back through your time and talent. And, always maintain a sense of hope and optimism for the future. R.D.
• I hope I have instilled or taught my family to be content with what they have because everything builds on carrying on our traditions, being honest in dealings with others, etc. A.S.
• Our legacy for our grandchildren is similar to that of our children. We all want them to be safe and sound. And beyond that, we want to impart something of us to bond our relationship. Since we are far from them and our visits are 3-4 times a year, we want to always let them see us in a positive light, i.e. happy, active, and doing things with them, since our everyday experience has to last for a few months! In addition, my focus is always on music and my love of animals. By imparting that to them, they can develop sensitivity and awareness of the world around them in a special way. Caring for animals is a way to make you a more sensitive person and parent, and better caretaker of the planet. C F.
My thanks to my readers for these examples of legacies. What can you add?