Legacy

Most of us want to leave this world better than we found it. We want to leave a legacy. Although this may not be the first thought on your mind when you wake up in the morning, the idea of leaving a legacy captures our attention frequently.Last week, I attended my husband’s aunt Clara’s memorial service in Ransom, Kansas. What a woman she was! She lived a good, long life dying just a day before her 93rd birthday. If I were to characterize her memorial service, I would say it was a celebration of her extraordinary life. The memorial service took place in a quaint Mennonite church where Clara attended much of her life. Friends and family gathered to tell stories of Aunt Clara Louise and the legacy she left us. She was a selfless woman that always thought about helping others in need. As I sat in that chapel and listened to the stories about Clara, I was struck by her philanthropy, her involvement in the community, and the investment she made in the lives of those around her. Clara had the opportunity to not only give to causes she believed in, but to give financial gifts to young people she knew. She believed in higher education so strongly that she sponsored several young men from Paraguay to study in the United States. She also supported the 4H foundation, which is an international organization for youth, that promotes hands-on learning and is based on parent and volunteer participation. Clara even gave away some of the proceeds from an oil well that was discovered on her property. Her life was really about giving to others. When I think of her, I am reminded of our Lord Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Many of the people she had impacted came to honor Clara that day, which is a testament to the impact she had on the people she knew. Clara was generous and at the same time very frugal. Leon, characterized her frugality in this way. “Clara was the only person I knew who could live on social security and save money at the same time." Going to Ransom, Kansas gave my whole family the opportunity to say goodbye to Clara. The trip gave us all a sense of closure, but it was also a reminder of the eternal aspects of Clara’s life that she left with us. She loved us dearly and adored our children. We will miss her greatly until we are reunited in Heaven, but her legacy will be a part of our lives for many generations. At times, we tend to have limited view of those we know. We don’t take the time to view the full breadth of a person’s life. When we go to memorial services, suddenly our image of that person is enhanced. We see the whole picture of their lives and discover how they impacted the world, and their own community. In those moments, we have the opportunity to reflect on our own lives. Sometimes these are the only times we reflect on our own legacy. The good news is you don’t have to be old to start thinking about legacy. When you die, what do you want written on your tombstone? What are you known for among friends and family? Answering these questions, can give us insight regarding our own perceptions of what a legacy is and where our priorities rest. Spend some time reflecting on your legacy.