Live Your Legacy Before You Leave It
The Importance And Significance Of Legacies
In my January newsletter, I made a request of you to send me your thoughts about the legacies you were leaving for your family, friends, and future generations. Little did I know when I made that request, that reflecting on legacy would have such profound relevance to me and my family over the last few weeks.
On February 5, 2014, my father passed away quietly after a prolonged struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He would have been ninety-six years old on February 7th. During the last six years, we have enjoyed and appreciated the special times we’ve had with my dad. Even though his memory was failing him, his spirit, his enthusiasm for life and making the most of his situation never failed him. When we went to spend time with my dad, who lived at Arden Courts in Fairfax, Virginia, the first thing he’d say with excitement was “Where are we going? Let’s go somewhere.”
For as long as I can remember, my dad loved to be going somewhere and doing something all of the time. What my aunt, my father’s only living sibling, said about my dad was, “He was a go getter!”
As our family faces the sadness of our loss, it gives me great comfort to reflect on the wonderful memories we hold dear and the legacy that he left us.
My father was an accomplished man and he instilled many important values in his five children. Notice how the actions he took in his lifetime resulted in a legacy for us.
John F. Cascio’s Legacy
- Fought in World War II as a navigator
Legacy: loyalty to our country and appreciation for the freedoms our soldiers continue to fight for - Received his B. A and M. S. Degrees on the G.I. Bill while all five of his children were growing up
Legacy: get a good education no matter what sacrifices you have to make - Worked several jobs to meet the financial demands of his family
Legacy: as a parent and spouse, do whatever it takes to meet your financial responsibilities - Enjoyed spending time with extended family and friends on a regular basis
Legacy: family and friends are very important so never neglect those relationships - Was a good spouse and parent as he teamed with my mother, who worked as a hospital nurse, so that there would always be one parent home with us
Legacy: let your loved ones know they can always depend on you - Volunteered in his community as a Rotarian, Board member of the American Cancer Society and the National Red Cross
Legacy: give back to your community - Enjoyed leisure activities of golf, bowling, fishing, and hunting
Legacy: while you are working hard, make sure you also play hard - Took pride in and was committed to his career path as he worked his way up from teaching in a one room schoolhouse, to being vice principal of a high school. He served as an administrator in the Elmira (New York) City School System and finished his career with consecutive principalships at two elementary schools
Legacy: make your career your calling so it truly reflects who you are - Lived according to the values that he believed in so that we could emulate those values
Legacy: be honest, loving, reliable, and responsible, and use the talents that you been blessed with
This is truly a legacy that he was proud of and that our family can continue.
Your Legacy
What action can you take now that will result in a legacy for those you love? Here are some of the legacies readers are leaving 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. 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 the 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, but 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.
Thanks to all of you who contributed your legacy gems!
Now go make the best of the rest of your life and leave a legacy that you can be proud of.
Dee
Dee Cascio
Author, speaker, Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Life Coach, Retirement Lifestyle/ReCareer Coach, and Life and Work Transitions Strategies Coach.
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